Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy stoked a controversy after he publicly chastised Karimnagar District Collector Pamela Satpathy, questioning her “common sense”. The outburst was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
The incident occurred on Friday during a government programme attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was in Telangana’s Karimnagar to inaugurate development projects.
Reddy reportedly lost his cool over an alleged protocol breach during the event, and lashed out at Satpathy in front of officials and the public.
“What are you doing? Have you no common sense?” a visibly angry Reddy was heard saying.
The collector attempted to explain the situation, but the minister continued to express his displeasure.
Adding to the controversy, another state minister was also seen addressing the district collector in a rude manner during the event.
The minister’s public dressing-down of the IAS officer sparked outrage on social media, with BRS leader K Kavitha condemning Reddy’s behaviour in a strongly worded post on X.
Kavitha described the minister’s actions as “absolutely shameful and unacceptable,” stating that Reddy’s public humiliation of the collector was “not just an insult to her but to the entire ethos of governance.”
“Misogyny and arrogance have no place in public office. Such actions are unacceptable and reflect poorly on leadership,” Kavitha wrote.
She stated that respect for public servants is non-negotiable and called on the ruling Congress to take action against Reddy.
“We stand firmly with the esteemed lady collector and demand accountability from the minister and the Congress Party,” she said.