Civil society leaders appeal to MPs to support Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as V-P to safeguard democracy

Prominent intellectuals, civil society leaders and journalists in Telangana — including Prof. Kodandram, senior journalists K. Ramachandra Murthy and Mallepalli Laxmaiah — have endorsed a collective appeal urging Members of Parliament to rise above party lines and safeguard India’s democratic institutions by supporting Justice B. Sudershan Reddy as the Vice President of India.

In a collective appeal signed by more than 100 members, they said democratic institutions in the country have come under severe strain in the past decade and called upon the Parliament members to back the candidature of Justice Sudershan Reddy, former Supreme Court judge, describing him as a jurist of impeccable integrity and commitment to social justice.

“Justice Reddy has upheld constitutional values consistently during his long career. His landmark observations, including his reminder that government property is not private property but public property held in trust, reflect both courage of conviction and deep concern for the underprivileged,” the appeal stated.

They expressed concern over what they described as the “autocratic turn” Indian democracy has taken in recent years. They argued that the consequences of the ruling dispensation’s approach were felt not only by the Opposition but also by MPs from the treasury benches.

Highlighting the current state of the Rajya Sabha, the appeal noted that the Upper House has been under “unprecedented duress,” leaving little scope for constructive debate between the ruling and opposition benches. This, they said, has eroded the deliberative process and obstructed parliamentarians from discharging their constitutional duties effectively.

“This is a rare moment in history when Members of Parliament can choose to play a role that will be remembered by generations to come,” the appeal said. “By supporting Justice Reddy, MPs can help revive India’s democratic traditions and restore faith in parliamentary institutions.”

Listen to ‘inner voice’

The signatories urged MPs to listen to their “inner voice” and resist what they termed the “wholesale destruction of democracy,” calling the support for Justice Reddy a necessary step towards rebuilding trust in governance.

Those who signed included Ch. Hanumantha Rao, former Member, Planning Commission; Prof Shanta Sinha, former Chairperson, NCPCR, Prof Mohd. Suleman Siddiqui, former VC, Osmania University; Prof R. Limbandri, former Chairman, TSCHE; Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani, former chairman, Telangana Public Service Commission; D Prakash Reddy, former Advocate General; Prof G. Haragopal, former professor, HCU; K. Srinivas Reddy, Chairperson, Telangana Media Academy; K. Srinivas, former Editor of Andhra Jyothi; and senior journalists Tankashala Ashok, Katta Shekhar Reddy, Telukapalli Ravi, Devulapalli Amar among others.