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Veteran writer Yandamuri Veerendranath, long known for projecting himself as a personality development mentor and intellectual voice, has now sparked widespread outrage with a deeply disturbing statement made at the Avakai Amaravati programme held at Bhavani Island. During his speech, he went to the shocking extent of saying that he would pray to Goddess Saraswati for the destruction of the families of those who did not clap for him.

This remark cannot be dismissed as humour or exaggeration. It reflects an alarming level of arrogance and intolerance, exposing how ego can overpower the very values a so-called moral guide claims to stand for. A man who has built a public image through books on self-improvement and positive thinking resorting to cursing innocent families over a lack of applause has left many stunned and angered.

Applause is a choice, not an obligation. Silence does not amount to disrespect. When a speaker seeks validation through forced claps, it speaks more about personal insecurity than intellectual stature. Instead of inspiring his audience, Yandamuri’s words have once again hurt and alienated them.

This incident has also revived memories of his earlier controversial behaviour. In the past, he has drawn criticism for deliberately avoiding or downplaying references to popular figures like Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan in his speeches, leading to unnecessary controversies and resentment. Rather than uniting audiences, his public addresses have often been divisive and provocative.

Adding to the shock, when a woman from the audience later questioned him directly, asking how someone she once admired could pray for the destruction of her family, there was no apology or sense of accountability. He reportedly brushed aside her concern with indifference and walked away, further intensifying the backlash.

In the aftermath, many voices on social media have also resurfaced long-standing criticism that Yandamuri lacks originality and has built much of his reputation by adapting ideas from English books and presenting them as his own in Telugu. The incident has triggered a larger debate on accountability, humility, and the responsibility that comes with public influence.