Hyderabad, August 31, 2025
BRS leader Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar has once again announced his *boycott of ABN channel, citing repeated dismissals as meaningless. He says: if you boycott something continuously, it loses its impact. However, the real reason behind his anger is surprising — ABN labeled him a *“Dalit leader,” which he found offensive despite believing the term should be honorific.
He reacted strongly, questioning, “As a former IPS officer and BRS general secretary who speaks the truth on Kaleshwaram, I’m still tagged a Dalit leader?” His frustration extended to accusing ABN’s Radhakrishna and Venkata Krishna of indulging in “caste frenzy.”
Why the Reaction Feels Odd
- Praveen Kumar works tirelessly for marginalized communities — that’s the very core of his political identity.
- He actually joined BSP for representing Dalit interests and founded Swaero, an initiative for social upliftment of Dalit children.
* Yet, being labeled a “Dalit leader” made him feel boxed in. He expressed the worry that it dilutes his broader identity and maybe even plays into political narratives about him being a pawn in KS Rao’s hands.
Key Highlights
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger for anger | ABN tagged Praveen as a “Dalit leader,” which he saw as reductive. |
| Boycott declared | He again announced a boycott of ABN and Andhra Jyoti, calling their “caste branding” upsetting. |
| Identity concerns | Despite his advocacy for Dalits, he finds the label limiting and used with intent. |
| Political background | A former IPS officer and social reformer, he champions marginalized communities through his work in BRS and Swaero. |