HYDERABAD: The BJP has announced its decision to boycott the Praja Palana Day celebrations scheduled for September 17, the anniversary of the Hyderabad state's merger with the Union of India in 1948. The party maintains its longstanding tradition of celebrating September 17 as Telangana Liberation Day, a designation formalized by the Union government through a gazette notification on March 12 this year.
BJP leaders argue that the state government's recent decision to rename the occasion as Praja Palana Day is an attempt to undermine the historical significance of the Hyderabad liberation and engage in political appeasement. Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, who also heads the state BJP unit, sent a strongly worded letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, criticizing the renaming as an insincere attempt to rewrite history.
In his letter, Kishan Reddy contends that the state government's actions aim to divert attention from the real struggles of the liberation movement. He emphasized that September 17 should honor the sacrifices made by those who fought against the Nizam and his army, highlighting the need for commemorations to reflect the courage and sacrifice of the martyrs.
Kishan Reddy also expressed disappointment that the state government is not recognizing September 17 as Telangana Liberation Day. He accused the Congress party of misleading the people of Telangana for decades and argued that the day should be celebrated as "Telangana Praja Vanchana Dinotsavam."
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar echoed similar sentiments, accusing the BRS and Congress of shifting their positions on September 17 for political convenience. Sanjay stated that the BJP would continue to observe Liberation Day in alignment with the central government's directives.
The Union government is preparing for the Telangana Liberation Day celebrations in Hyderabad, with Kishan Reddy set to attend as the chief guest. Sources indicate that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was initially scheduled to preside over the event but had to cancel due to a visit to Jammu & Kashmir on the same day.