BRS Leader KTR Slams Telangana Government Over Sanitation Worker’s Tragic Suicide in Mulugu
In a heartbreaking incident from Mulugu, Telangana, a sanitation worker named Maidam Mahesh took his own life by consuming pesticide. He hadn’t received his pending wages for six long months, pushing him to desperation. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, voiced his deep pain over this tragedy and called it a "government-sponsored murder."
KTR didn’t hold back in his criticism. He directly targeted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Minister Seethakka, urging them to take moral responsibility for Mahesh’s death. "It’s shameful that the government couldn’t even ensure basic monthly salaries for sanitation workers. This failure drove Mahesh to suicide," KTR said, highlighting the Telangana government’s lapses in worker welfare.
Demanding quick action, KTR called for an immediate ex gratia payment of Rs 50 lakh to Mahesh’s grieving family. He also pushed for a government job for Mahesh’s widow to secure their future. On top of that, he insisted that CM Revanth Reddy and Minister Seethakka issue public apologies for leaving workers in such tough spots.
The controversy deepened when ruling party leaders shared a video claiming Mahesh accidentally drank pesticide, mistaking it for water. KTR slammed this as cruel propaganda aimed at hiding the government’s incompetence. "Such tactics only cover up your gross failure," he fired back, exposing what he sees as attempts to twist the facts around sanitation worker suicides in Telangana.
Acting on KTR’s instructions, former REDCO Chairman Eruva Satish Reddy and other BRS leaders visited Mahesh’s home in Madhavaraopalli on Sunday. They consoled the family, and KTR even spoke directly to Mahesh’s mother over the phone. Her story painted a grim picture: Mahesh struggled to feed his wife and four young daughters without pay. She revealed that the family had already lost a child earlier due to lack of money for medical treatment. Overwhelmed by the humiliation of begging for his dues repeatedly, Mahesh used pesticide meant for municipality cremation work to end his life.
Deeply moved, KTR promised full BRS support. He assured financial aid in the names of Mahesh’s daughters and said the party would deliver help through Satish Reddy within two days. Mahesh’s niece Jyothi added more details, alleging that some people forced Mahesh to record a video before his death, falsely claiming it was an accident. She stressed that constant harassment and unpaid salaries truly pushed him to this extreme step.
This sanitation worker death in Mulugu has sparked outrage, with BRS leaders vowing to stand by the family amid demands for justice and better pay for Telangana sanitation workers. The incident underscores ongoing issues with wage delays and worker rights in the state.