WARANGAL: Police have registered a case against the office-bearers of the Greater Warangal Press Club after a complaint was filed over the alleged demolition of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Subedari Police Station in Hanamkonda.According to the complaint filed by Bantu Raj Lenin, the state vice-president of TUWJ (143), the incident took place on August 7 during the demolition of the old compound wall of the press club building. The complaint alleges that the accused tied ropes around the statue’s neck and pulled it down.He alleged that press club president Vemula Nagaraju, secretary Bollaram Sadaiah, and two others were responsible for the destruction of the statue, which had been installed by locals and members of Ambedkar Colony about 30 years ago.Following the complaint, Subedari police registered FIR No. 456/2025 under serious charges, including sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.The incident has brought to light long-standing internal disputes within the press club. The tenure of the current committee expired in December 2024, but it has been accused of delaying elections and continuing to function for the past 18 months.Journalists who learned of the statue’s demolition staged a protest and demanded action against those responsible. While some journalists filed a complaint regarding the vandalism, the press club office-bearers filed a counter-complaint alleging that the journalists entered the club premises without permission.With a case now filed against the president and secretary, some journalists are preparing to approach the Human Rights Commission and the SC Commission for further action. The incident has once again exposed the internal power struggles and disagreements that have plagued the Greater Warangal Press Club.
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