Andhra Pradesh Women's Panel Serves Notice On Pawan Kalyan Over Human Trafficking Remark

Pawan Kalyan alleged that the data being collected by volunteers from women in villages and towns was being exploited for human trafficking and other criminal activities.

Jana Sena Party (JSP) President Pawan Kalyan ( Image Source :ABP Desam )

The Andhra Pradesh Women's Commission has issued a notice to actor-politician Pawan Kalyan over his controversial statement linking the volunteer system introduced by the state government with human trafficking. Following Kalyan's remarks that women and girls in the state were in danger due to the volunteer system, the commission asked him to submit evidence in support of his allegations in 10 days.

During a public meeting in Eluru, Pawan Kalyan alleged that the data being collected by volunteers from women in villages and towns was being exploited for human trafficking and other criminal activities. He further mentioned that Central intelligence officials in New Delhi had informed him about extensive human trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, posing a threat to women and girls through the volunteer system. 

Pawan Kalyan claimed that during 2019-20, an estimated 30,000 girls and women went missing, with only 14,000 of them returning home. 

He expressed concern over the seriousness of the issue and inquired whether the Chief Minister had discussed the matter of missing women with the Director General of Police (DGP). He emphasised that this issue should not be taken lightly.

In response to Pawan Kalyan's statements, Vasireddy Padma, the chairperson of the Women's Commission, said the remarks amounted to violating the dignity of single women.  "How many single women were handed over to anti-social elements by the volunteers? What is the number the Centre has told you? Did the Centre share evidence with you," she asked.

The commission chairperson asked Pawan Kalyan if he was creating panic among women by making baseless allegations for the sake of politics. She asked the actor-politician to provide to the commission the number of missing women with evidence in 10 days.