The detention of two journalists in Hyderabad has triggered an uproar in Telangana with the opposition accusing the Revanth Reddy government of “authoritarian tactics”.

Revathi Pogadadanda and her colleague Tanvi Yadav were detained from their residences on Wednesday morning. Around 12 officials had reportedly arrived at Revathi’s home and seized mobile phones and laptops belonging to the journalist and her husband.

The move comes days after Revathi posted a video on her digital news platform Pulse News Break showing an elderly farmer making allegedly derogatory remarks against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. A case was lodged against an unidentified X user based on a complaint from Congress leaders. Police on Thursday said they were investigating the same case.

“One thing is clear. Revanth Reddy wants to silence me, put pressure on me and my family and threaten me,” Revathi earlier said on X.

This is not the first time Revathi has accused a government of targeting her. In 2019, Revathi was arrested after alleging harassment by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi government.

It comes months after Gowtham Pothagoni, a journalist with digital news portal Telugu Scribe, was arrested and charged with “attempting to create political tensions and promoting disharmony among the public” and “insulting Telangana government and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy”.

The incident comes on the day the assembly session begins in Telangana. 

BRS working president KTR wrote on X: “The raid on the house at 5 am and the illegal arrest of journalist Revathi is a testament to the ongoing emergency-style rule in the state. The arrest of young journalist Tanvi Yadav is also atrocious. The arrest of journalists who posted a video of a farmer expressing the hardships he faces under the Congress government is the culmination of this government’s restrictive rule. There is no freedom of the media under public rule! The Revanth Reddy government should immediately stop these attacks and illegal cases against media and social media voices to cover up government failures.”

“Is this the constitutional rule that Rahul Gandhi is talking about? Kya Yahi Hain Aap Ki “Mohabbat Ki Dukaan” ? Rahul Gandhi Ji? Arresting two women journalists in the wee hours of the morning!! What is their crime? Giving voice to the public opinion on incompetent & corrupt Congress Govt. Last I checked, the Constitution of India that you hold regularly, upholds Freedom of Speech, Mr Gandhi.”

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