Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy demanded that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao apologise for the “inappropriate and derogatory” remarks made by the party’s MLC against Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and his family members.

Participating in a discussion in the Assembly on the first day of the monsoon session on Monday (September 7, 2026), he said the Speaker occupied a constitutional position that deserved the same respect as any other member of the House. “Whether one is the Chief Minister or a legislator, everyone is equal before the Speaker,” he said, adding that the BRS had acted in a manner that hurt the Speaker’s dignity.

The Chief Minister said the issue was not about Mr. Prasad Kumar personally but about the high office of the Speaker. “Respecting the Speaker is our tradition. Some people spoke in such a manner against the Speaker that the entire civilised society had to bow its head in shame,” he said.

Describing the incident as an insult to the Assembly and the four crore people of Telangana, the Chief Minister said it was “a dark day for Telangana”. He condemned the alleged use of abusive language against the Speaker and remarks that insulted his family members, terming them “unforgivable”. He said decisions in the House could be taken only after the issue was thoroughly debated.

The Chief Minister also accused the BRS of having an “anti-Dalit mindset and attitude”. Referring to its past promises, he said the Opposition party had promised to make a Dalit the Chief Minister after the formation of Telangana, to provide three acres of land to Dalit families, and to implement Dalit Bandhu. He alleged that a Dalit Deputy Chief Minister was subsequently removed from the Cabinet.

He also referred to the incident in Nerella, alleging that Dalits protesting against sand lorries were run over, and accused the BRS of encouraging defections to remove a Dalit leader, Bhatti Vikramarka, from the position of Leader of the Opposition after the Congress made him its CLP leader in 2019.

The Chief Minister warned that the government’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. “If anyone thinks that institutions can be intimidated and brought under control through threats, we will not remain silent,” he said.

As Leader of the House, Mr. Reddy demanded that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao tender an unconditional apology and ensure that the member who made the remarks resigns. He also demanded that the membership of the legislator who made the alleged objectionable remarks be terminated.