MLC Varudu Kalyani slams govt’s ‘laxity’ on women’s safety

YSRCP Women’s Wing State President and MLC Varudu Kalyani voiced deep outrage over the tragic murder of seven-year-old Asfiya Azam in  Punganur, calling out the failure of the authorities to act swiftly, which could have saved the child’s life.
Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam, Kalyani criticized the local police for their delayed response after the child was reported missing. The young girl’s body was later discovered in a summer storage tank. “The family had already sounded the alarm, yet the police response was painfully slow. Had they acted in time, we would not be mourning this innocent life today,” Kalyani stated with visible frustration. “This kind of negligence is intolerable and has only magnified the suffering of the family.”
She went on to raise serious concerns about how the case is being handled. “Despite visible injuries on the victim’s body, there seems to be little interest in a proper investigation. This kind of indifference in such a heart-breaking case is simply unacceptable,” Kalyani said, adding that the role of the Home Minister in handling this grievous case deserves to be questioned, especially as it occurred in the Chief Minister’s home district.
The MLC didn’t hold back in condemning the government’s overall approach to women’s safety, pointing to rising incidents of violence across the state. She highlighted another tragic incident—the murder of a girl in Nandyal district—as part of a growing pattern. “Women are living in a constant state of fear under the TDP coalition government.
There’s a total lack of confidence in the government’s ability to safeguard them,” Kalyani remarked sharply.
Drawing comparisons, Kalyani emphasized the steps taken under the previous YSRCP government to prioritize women’s safety. “The Disha App and dedicated police forces played a pivotal role in protecting women during our tenure. But now, under this administration, women’s safety has been tragically neglected, and the consequences are plain to see. Where was the urgency in saving this little girl in Punganuru? It’s appalling when we compare it to the swift response in the Madanapalle Sub-Collector’s office fire,” she questioned.
Kalyani also reassured the public that YSRCP stands firmly with women and victims of violence. She announced that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will personally visit the grieving family on October 9 to offer support and condolences. “We will not turn away from our responsibility to protect and stand with the women of Andhra Pradesh. This is a commitment YSRCP will uphold,” she concluded, promising action and justice for the victims.