Why Were Telangana BRS Leaders Placed Under House Arrest?
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Synopsis
In Hyderabad, key BRS leaders, including K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao, faced house arrest to thwart their protest against RTC bus fare hikes. The government’s decision has sparked significant public outrage and calls for action.
Key Takeaways
- House arrests were enforced to prevent protests by BRS leaders.
- The TGSRTC increased bus fares significantly.
- K.T. Rama Rao criticized the fare hike as burdensome.
- The protest highlights citizen rights to express dissent.
- The fare hike is intended to support electric bus expansion.
Hyderabad, Oct 9 (NationPress) The working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), K.T. Rama Rao, along with senior leader T. Harish Rao and other prominent figures, were subjected to house arrest on Thursday as a precautionary measure against a planned protest by the party regarding the RTC bus fare increase in Hyderabad.
A significant police presence was established early in the morning outside the residences of Rama Rao, Harish Rao, and others to thwart their participation in the ‘Chalo Bus Bhavan’ initiative.
Rama Rao was scheduled to travel by RTC bus from Rethifile Bus Stop in Secunderabad to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) Bus Bhavan, appealing for an immediate reversal of the fare hikes.
On the other hand, Harish Rao planned to depart from Mehdipatnam Bus Stop to reach Bus Bhavan and present a formal representation to the TGSRTC Managing Director.
The BRS stated that their leaders were indeed placed under house arrest, with police officers stationed outside the homes of KTR, Harish Rao, former ministers, and other BRS MLAs and MLCs.
KTR expressed strong discontent regarding these house arrests, stating they aimed for a peaceful journey to Bus Bhavan to demand a fare rollback.
“All I wanted was to board an RTC bus peacefully, travel to the RTC MD’s office, and submit a letter requesting a rollback of the excessive fare increase. Just look at the number of police officers surrounding my housing complex right now!! All this to prevent one individual from boarding a bus?! I hope the police exhibit this same enthusiasm in addressing the surging crime rate in Hyderabad,” KTR remarked on ‘X’, along with images of the police presence outside his house.
The BRS leader confirmed that they would proceed with the protest, noting that such arrests were not unfamiliar for their party.
The TGSRTC adjusted bus fares in Hyderabad starting October 6. Under the newly established fare structure by the TGSRTC, passengers using City Ordinary, Metro Express, E-Ordinary, and E-Express services will incur an additional Rs 5 for the first three stages and Rs 10 from the fourth stage onward. For Metro Deluxe and E-Metro AC services, the increased charge will be Rs 5 for the first stage and Rs 10 from the second stage onward.
This initiative is intended to support the expansion of electric bus infrastructure within the city.
KTR criticized the decision to raise city bus fares by Rs 10 all at once as deplorable. He emphasized that during a period where citizens grapple with escalating costs of essential items, an extra burden of Rs 500 monthly has been placed on each passenger.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight that the BRS's house arrests showcase a growing concern over freedom of expression and peaceful protest. In a democratic nation, citizens and their representatives must be able to voice their dissent without fear of repression. The fare hike issue reflects larger economic challenges that need addressing, ensuring that governance stays attuned to the needs of the people.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the house arrest of BRS leaders?
The house arrests were implemented to prevent BRS leaders from participating in a protest against the increase in RTC bus fares in Hyderabad.
What are the new bus fare rates introduced by TGSRTC?
The TGSRTC has increased bus fares by Rs 5 for the first three stages and Rs 10 from the fourth stage onward for various services, effective from October 6.
What was K.T. Rama Rao’s reaction to the house arrest?
K.T. Rama Rao expressed strong discontent over the house arrest, emphasizing their intention to peacefully protest and submit a letter demanding a rollback of the fare hike.
What is the purpose of the bus fare hike?
The fare increase aims to fund the expansion of electric bus infrastructure in the city.
What impact will the fare hike have on passengers?
The fare hike imposes an additional financial burden of approximately Rs 500 per month on each passenger, exacerbating existing economic challenges.
