Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticized political parties for avoiding celebrations on Telangana Liberation Day, accusing them of doing so for the sake of vote bank politics. Speaking at a program organized to commemorate the occasion, Shah highlighted the significance of Telangana Liberation Day, which marks the region’s freedom from the erstwhile Nizam’s rule and its merger with the Indian Union.
Shah expressed his disappointment with political parties that choose not to participate in the celebrations, referring to it as an unfortunate trend. He argued that those who shy away from recognizing their country’s history risk alienating the people. He stated, “I would like to tell them that people of the country would turn away from those who turn away from their country’s history.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day this year marked a significant departure from past practices. Shah acknowledged the complexity of the post-independence unification of India and attributed the successful integration of Hyderabad to the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He noted that it was Patel’s tireless work that led to the surrender of the Nizam’s Razakars, who were armed supporters of Nizam rule.
Union Tourism Minister and BJP president in Telangana, G. Kishan Reddy, also addressed the gathering during the Telangana Liberation Day program.
The state of Hyderabad, which had been under the rule of the Nizam, was annexed to the Union of India through a police action known as “Operation Polo.” This operation, which culminated on September 17, 1948, marked the end of the Nizam’s rule in Hyderabad and paved the way for the region’s integration into the Indian Union.
Telangana Liberation Day holds historical significance for the people of the region, as it represents their struggle for freedom and their eventual union with independent India. Despite its importance, the celebration of this day has been a subject of debate and contention in the political landscape, with various parties choosing to either embrace or disregard it based on their political motivations.
Amit Shah’s criticism of political parties for sidelining Telangana Liberation Day reflects the broader debates and discussions surrounding the commemoration of historical events in Indian politics, where decisions about such celebrations are often influenced by electoral considerations and ideological stances.