Andhra Pradesh Minister for Marketing Ch Adinarayana Reddy triggered a controversy during the Independence Day celebrations at Jamalamadugu in Kadapa by saying that the Dalits did not maintain cleanliness and are uncivilized with least interest in being educated. Futhermore he said that they will remain same and nobody can change them. He added that the reservations initially envisaged only for a decade are pointlessly being continued for seven decades now.

CPI State Secretary K Ramakrishna on Wednesday insisted immediate removal of the Marketing Minister from the Cabinet for his appalling remarks on Dalits and Tribals. He demanded that the TDP leader should tender an apology to the SC/ST community.

However, Reddy said his comments were distorted. In his version, he only noted that Dalits must study, maintain neatness and personal hygiene. But with the video being widely circulated, the damage has been done.

Several Dalit outfits staged protest condemning the minister’s remark on Wednesday and burnt effigies in some districts of the state.