Telugu Desam Party’s decision to give Gannavaram, an SC-reserved Assembly ticket, to Rajesh Saripella, a controversial person who became famous through his YouTube channel, which is filled with hate speeches against Hindutva and Hindu girls, has sparked controversy.
The rise of Rajesh Saripella from a YouTuber with over 7 lakh subscribers to a TDP MLA aspirant has been controversial at every turn of his career. He highlights some selective issues, then goes on to exploit their problems for personal gain while claiming to be an advocate for the backward classes, notably the SC/ST/BC community. His strategy consists of relentlessly targeting political parties, Hindus, and particularly upper caste women.
https://twitter.com/rajubusa/status/1763892515659231705?t=dnbYuTw3XtMqYul_KzPGGQ&s=19https://twitter.com/rajubusa/status/1763892518641373266?t=1rtH0V-b9MJds9iw0thOlA&s=19
Rajesh, a practicing Christian, blatantly exploits Dr. Ambedkar’s name, distorting his teachings to foment widespread discontent without any kind of reference, just spills anything that comes into his mind.
In one of his videos, he provokes his viewers to abduct the upper caste Hindu girls and grab the 1 lakh as cash prize.
YSRCP member and Christian Mahasena leader Saripella Rajesh open offer of Rs. 1 lakh to any Christian to marry upper caste Hindu girls. Protection, physical attacks are part of of the package.
All the best AP Hindus. Yehova mee rachhakudu. pic.twitter.com/UOSNFSVIWR— DharmaRakshak (@oldhandhyd) June 26, 2019
He also made a controversial video against Sri Sri Sri Chinnajeeyar Swamy, who established the Statue of Equality in Bhagynagar.
Telangana BJP Social Media Incharge tweeted “He is a hardcore Hindu hater. Rajesh Mahasena is accused of distorting the Ramayana and portraying Prabhu Shri Ram as a villain. Previously, he also announced 5 lakhs to whoever a Christian marries an upper-caste Hindu girl.
Look whom the @ncbn has given a ticket for the upcoming assembly elections.
He is Rajesh Mahasena, an Andhra Pradesh, Gannavaram MLA candidate from TDP.
He is a hardcore Hindu hater. Rajesh Mahasena is accused of distorting the Ramayana and portraying Prabhu Shri Ram as a… pic.twitter.com/ndkOZC314q
— Sumiran Komarraju (@SumiranKV) March 2, 2024
In another controversial video, he questions Satish, rich pastor of Telugu States, on exploitation of poor Christians who visit him for his preachings.
His videos on Facebook and Youtube are highly controversial, he picks any subject he likes and goes on to interpret it without any historical data or truth, with attractive thumbnails.
Rajesh’s criminal history is known to all, in fact, he himself boasted as if they were a badge of honour.
In March 2020, he was arrested for making allegations against YSRCP leader and CM Jagan.
https://www.andhrajyothy.com/2020/andhra-pradesh/east-godavari/mahasena-president-rajesh-arrested-28648.html
In January, 2022, also he was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police
The Young & Dynamic Leader Rajesh Mahasena have been arrested by AP Govt. unjustly…
We demand to release him immediately. pic.twitter.com/sSVK5TjCCv
— Raja Mani (MAHASENA) (@RajaMan87525376) January 6, 2022
Speaking to Organiser, Prasad Raju, a resident of Gannavaram Constituency, said “He will attempt to incite the Christian and SC communities into voting. His history would cause communal tensions and discontent among the Hindu population, resulting in violence in the surrounding area. The TDP’s decision to give him a seat has already caused a lot of dissatisfaction in the local community.
“This should be taken into serious consideration to control the spread of Christianity in the area which is going to be a serious problem for the area and also to the country as the current Chief Minister is highly supporting the conversion into Christianity for his minority votes, he added.
