Jagan Sticks To ‘Ambedkar Konaseema’ Name!

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet which met earlier in the day, decided to add Bharat Ratna Dr. BR Ambedkar’s name to Konaseema district. In May, violent protests were witnessed opposing this proposal yet the AP state government went ahead to rename Konaseema district.

In view of AP cabinet decision, Konaseema district went on high alert. The district police have imposed 144 section and Police Act 30 in Amalapuram and Ravulapalem and every corner heavy police personnel can be seen. The police also banned any sort of celebrations and protests in Konaseema district and as a precautionary measure, leaders of various organizations and parties are being monitored.

On May 24th, protesters attacked the residential properties of state minister P Viswarup and MLA Ponnada Satish. They protested against the proposal of naming the Konaseema district after BR Ambedkar and several vehicles at the minister’s house were torched and stones were pelted at the minister’s properties. The protest was reportedly organized by the Konaseema Sadhana Samiti (KSS) and later the police arrested 60 people in connection with the violence.

Despite the outrage, CM Jagan led AP cabinet approved Ambedkar’s name for Konaseema district and that was a big political gamble. This move could definitely have consequences but for now they are hard to estimate.