In the volatile canvas of Indian politics, where power often dances with rhetoric, the recent controversy surrounding Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s statement earlier this month—“will strip, thrash you"—has ignited a firestorm of debate. The remark, made in the context of the arrest of two women journalists, is not merely a fleeting moment of political indiscretion; it is a mirror reflecting deeper fissures in the democratic ethos of our times.

Revanth Reddy, a leader known for his impassioned oratory and unyielding demeanour, has often been a polarising figure in Telangana’s political landscape. His rise to the chief minister’s office in December 2023 was seen by many as a testament to his grassroots connect and relentless ambition. Yet, the same qualities that endeared him to his supporters have now become a source of contention.

His recent comment, made during a public address—which his supporters say was taken out of context—was ostensibly a response to allegations of corruption and mismanagement against his government. “If anyone tries to tarnish the image of my government with baseless allegations," he declared, “I will strip them and thrash them in public." This kind of language, completely stripped of any kind of democratic restraint, has since rightfully created a great deal of criticism.

Language, in the hands of a politician, is a........

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