On 2nd October, Congress leader and Telangana Minister, Konda Surekha triggered a major controversy after she made controversial remarks over the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya. Surekha brazenly alleged that KTR asked for sexual favours from the Akkineni family in exchange for not demolishing the family-owned N-convention centre. She argued that because Samantha refused to comply, it led to her divorce from Naga Chaitanya.
The Controversy:
On Thursday, the Telangana Forest and Environment Minister, Konda Surekha, alleged that BRS leader KTR was involved in drug-related parties. She alleged that KTR was the reason why many actresses left movies and married early, as they were blackmailed due to the influence of drugs. She also held KTR responsible as the main factor behind the divorce of the actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha.
However, while targeting KTR, the Congress leader made derogatory statements against the Akkineni family, and Samantha.
Calling KTR a drug addict, Surekha said, “He used to host rave parties for film celebrities. Many heroines have married quickly and exited the cinema field because of KTR’s impact on their lives.”
She added, “Naga Chaitanya’s divorce took place 100 per cent due to KTR. This is because to not demolish N Convention hall, you had to send Samantha to me. Nagarjuna had forced Samantha to go (to KTR) and they said that either you listen to us or give us a divorce. That is the reason why the divorce took place. The whole industry knows about it.”
The Congress Minister further stated, “The reason for injustice to Samantha is KTR. Two to three heroines have also got married early due to drug cases. Rakul Preet got married and other two to three heroines as well. Why do we have to bear this headache (of the drug cases) and get married soon? With the power they had previously, they tapped phones, made records and threatened them.”
However, her remarks garnered condemnation from all corners including from senior actors of the Telugu film industry. Actors like Chiranjeevi, Junior NTR, and Amala Akkineni among others extended their support to Samantha and slammed the Congress leader for her deplorable remarks.
In a post in Telugu, Veteran actor Nagarjuna condemned Surekha’s comments and asked her to respect people’s privacy.
In a post on X, Naga Chaitanya junked Surekha’s claims as ‘false, ridiculous and unacceptable.’
Samantha Ruth Prabhu slammed the Congress minister while urging her to be responsible and respectful of people’s privacy. She emphasised that her divorce was a personal matter and ended amicably. She concluded by asking the Congress leader to
keep her out of political battles.
For those unversed, the actor couple, Samantha and Naga Chaitanya tied marital knot in a private ceremony in Goa in October 2017. However, the couple parted ways in October 2021.
Congress Minister apologies and retracts her remarks against Samantha
After facing massive backlash, the Congress leader has apologized for her controversial remarks. Taking to X, Konda Surekha retracted her remarks concerning Samantha. In a post written in Telugu, the Congress Minister conveyed, “My intention was only to point out how a leader is belittling towards woman but not to hurt your sentiments, Samantha.”
She added, “If you or your fans have been hurt by my words, I unconditionally retract them. Please do not take it otherwise.”
In the meantime, BRS president KT Rama Rao has filed a defamation suit against Konda Surekha for her comments which also accused him of phone tapping, drugs and blackmail.
While her remarks have garnered. However, her disparaging remarks against Samantha Ruth Prabhu were not just an attack on an individual, but an utter disregard and insult for the struggles of women and the trauma they often endure for pursuing a career.
How they strive against objectification, vile sexual innuendos, remarks trivialising their struggles linking their success, to their gender, and let me be blunt here, they have to hear whispers from the ‘boys club’ alleging sexual favours as the reason for their success.
As a woman herself, the Congress Minister should have known better. But instead of extending empathy to another woman who has been through a deeply painful and public divorce, she chose to spread rumors, tarnish reputations, and engage in sensationalist tactics to grab attention.
Surekha’s statements are not only irresponsible but also malicious in their intent. By claiming that Samantha’s separation from Naga Chaitanya was the result of blackmail and coercion.
Such remarks not only breach the line, it also trample all over the emotional and psychological boundaries that women face, especially after the traumatic experience of divorce.
Samantha’s story is her own—one of heartbreak, and intense personal struggles that have been sensationalized by the media. Yet, despite all that, she has managed to rise above it with grace and strength.
But instead of offering a moment of solidarity, the Congress Minister chose to further victimize Samantha by painting her as someone who was manipulated and that her in-laws were coercing her into a relationship with KTR — an accusation without a shred of proof.
To assert that Samantha’s divorce was caused by external pressures from KTR is not only a smear campaign against an individual but also a reflection of the misogyny that is deeply ingrained in our society.
It is a sad attempt to diminish the agency of a woman and reduce her emotional journey to a game of power and politics.
Now, let us turn our attention to the larger picture—what is the stance of Congress on such an egregious statement made by their own leader? Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who have repeatedly positioned themselves as champions of women’s rights, need to clarify whether they condone such behavior from one of their party members. It was an assault on the dignity of all women who are struggling to overcome the challenges of life, particularly those who have faced emotional turmoil, including divorce.
What do we expect from a party that allows such disparaging and distasteful remarks to go unchecked? How can we trust the same leaders who claim to stand for women’s rights when they are not willing to stand up against such regressive statements?
At this point, the silence from Congress and their leadership is deafening. It’s not enough to just express concern about women’s issues in a political context; we need to see action. We need to see that the party does not tolerate such vile, misogynistic statements, especially when they come from someone within their own ranks. If Congress truly values women’s dignity and empowerment, it is time to take a clear stance against the errant Minister and hold her accountable.