The Communist Party of India (CPI) has strongly condemned the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to slap cases under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against YouTuber ‘Prasna’ Ravanan. CPI State Secretary Gujjula Eswaraiah termed the move “undemocratic, authoritarian, and deeply vindictive,” asserting that the individual was being targeted solely for exercising his right to question the authorities.
A Warning to Dissenters
Speaking at a press conference at the CR Foundation in Kadapa, Eswaraiah stated that the stringent action sends a chilling message to the public. He remarked that the N. Chandrababu Naidu-led coalition government seems intent on signaling that it will go to any length to imprison citizens who dare to voice opinions against the establishment. Faulting both the state administration and the police machinery, the CPI leader described these actions as purely retaliatory measures aimed at suppressing political dissent.
Eswaraiah pointed out the unprecedented nature of the invocation, stating that nowhere else in the country has a draconian law like the UAPA been weaponized against someone for merely offering criticism. Targeting Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Eswaraiah questioned the double standards at play. He asked whether leaders in power retain the exclusive privilege to question others, while ordinary citizens and critics face severe anti-terror laws the moment they criticize the ruling dispensation.
Pattern of Harassment and Legal Maneuvers
The CPI leader detailed a calculated pattern of legal harassment against the YouTuber. Janasena party leaders had initially filed a string of cases against ‘Prasna’ Ravanan across multiple jurisdictions—including Pithapuram, Sarpavaram, Machilipatnam, and Payakaraopeta—alleging that he made inappropriate remarks against Pawan Kalyan.
According to Eswaraiah, a fifth case was deliberately registered at the Gannavaram police station only after Ravanan managed to secure bail in the previous four cases. This latest FIR includes,
* Sections 147, 148, 152, 197, 197(1D), and 353(1B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
* Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967.
“Filing a relentless series of cases against a single individual over the exact same issue is the very definition of a political vendetta,” Eswaraiah declared.
Subverting the Judicial Process
The CPI State Secretary further explained the mechanics behind using such harsh laws. He noted that because courts routinely grant bail for offenses carrying prison sentences under seven years, the government deliberately escalated the charges. By inhumanly slapping non-bailable offenses like sedition and UAPA—which carry sentences exceeding 10 years—the state ensures that critics remain incarcerated without immediate legal recourse.
Eswaraiah revealed that the Gannavaram case was registered following a complaint by Janasena leader Garikapati Shivashankar, hinting at direct backing from top leaders within the ruling alliance. Warning that the intolerance toward minor criticisms damages democratic values, he reminded the government that questioning state policy is a fundamental right belonging to political parties, the media, and private individuals alike.
Demanding an explanation from top police officials on how UAPA applies to political commentary, Eswaraiah concluded that law and order have completely derailed. He demanded that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu intervene immediately to drop all UAPA charges against ‘Prasna’ Ravanan.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
