The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of the derogatory remarks made by journalist Krishnam Raju against the women of Amaravati during a television debate hosted by senior journalist and anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao.
In a strong response, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh, seeking an explanation and an action-taken report on the matter.
The Commission strongly condemned the indecent and offensive comments directed at the women and instructed the state police to submit a detailed report within three days.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission Chairperson Rayapati Sailaja also condemned the derogatory comments made by Krishnam Raju, who described the women of Amaravati as prostitutes.
In a statement, Sailaja said those who insulted the women of Amaravati must be punished.
“No one should defend the derogatory comments made by Sakshi Media against the women of the capital. It is inappropriate to link caste and religion to Amaravati,” she said.
She refuted reports that the journalist was merely referencing a Times of India report.
“The report did not specifically mention the Amaravati region — it referred to the state in general. Despite lacking even basic information, the issue was discussed irresponsibly in media debates,” she said.
Sailaja alleged that Krishnam Raju and Srinivasa Rao discussed the issue recklessly and without any prior knowledge.
“What wrong did the women of Amaravati do? Was their mistake donating land for Amaravati?” she asked.
She added that there is no justification for making insulting remarks about women under the guise of freedom of speech.
“Making false and derogatory statements about Amaravati is not new for Kommineni — he has made such remarks many times in the past,” she said.
