Journalist-turned-politician Chintapandu Naveen Kumar alias Teenmaar Mallanna, who recently joined Bharatiya Janata Party, came under severe attack for allegedly body-shaming Kalvakuntla Himanshu, son of TRS working president IT minister K T Rama Rao.
In a public opinion poll conducted by Q News, owned by Teenmaar Mallanna on Friday, the participants were asked a question: “Where has the development taken place – Bhadrachalam temple or Himanshu’s body?”
Reacting strongly to the post on Twitter, KTR tagged BJP national president JP Nadda and said: “Sri JP Naddaji, is this what you teach BJP leaders in Telangana? Is it sanskar to drag my young son and body shame him through ugly political comments in BJP’s mouthpiece? You don’t think we could reciprocate in the same coin against Amit Shah ji or Modi Ji’s family?”
He advised the BJP leadership: “Please refrain these third rate leaders and media mouthpieces of BJP from making lousy, lowlife comments, particularly on my children. We will be compelled to take legal action and as much as I desist, don’t blame us when we are forced to respond with equal vigour.”
He said: “At times I wonder whether it’s worth being in public life; especially in today’s social media times where anyone can say anything without an iota of shame or proof. And dragging kids into this cesspool of YouTube channels that dish out 24/7 nonsense in the guise of journalism.”
The body-shaming of KTR’s son by the BJP leader evoked sharp criticism from various sections cutting across parties. Former Andhra Pradesh chief secretary and BJP leader I Y R Krishna Rao said: “Should they be allowed to go scot free with all that mudslinging? You are in the government. It is a real major problem. Can you not think of a law to deal with these scums in the manner they deserve to be dealt with?”
KTR replied to him: “Sir, Unfortunately, freedom of speech or expression has become right to abuse and indulge in mudslinging. And, masquerading in the guise of SM journalism apparently confers immunity to spread canards and dish out absolute trash Social media has become haven for antisocial behavior.”
KTR’s sister Kalvakuntla Kavitha, cousin and minister T Harish Rao also condemned the attack on Himanshu by Teenmaar Mallanna.
Interestingly, YSR Telangana Party president Y S Sharmila, who never loses an opportunity to attack KCR’s family, also condemned the body shaming of KTR’s son.
“As a mother, I detest bullying kids and as a leader of a political party, I condemn such derogatory statements on the family members. Whether it is belittling women or bodyshaming kids, we must come together to call out such statements irrespective of our political affiliations,” she said.
Even retired IPS officer and Bahujan Samaj Party leader R S Praveen Kumar extended solidarity with KTR and found fault with the BJP leader for making such derogatory comments.
