BRS leader Sravan accuses Telangana CM Revanth Reddy of distorting history

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 15 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Dasoju Sravan on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his government's decision to commemorate September 17th as "People's Governance Day" (Praja Palana Dinotsavam), saying that the decision strongly "echoes the BJP's political tactics of historical revisionism."
"The Telangana government's recent decision to commemorate September 17th as "People's Governance Day" (Praja Palana Dinotsavam) under Chief Minister Shri Revanth Reddy has ignited suspicion about his hidden intentions. This date, which marks the merger of the erstwhile Hyderabad State into the Indian Union on September, 17th, 1948, carries significant historical and political dynamics," Dasoju Sravan said in a statement.
He said that various political forces interpret the day differently but Revanth Reddy's approach stands out for its inconsistency with Indian National Congress's traditionally balanced stance and its clear political opportunism.
"His actions not only reflect a significant deviation from the Indian National Congress's ideology but also strongly echo BJP's political tactics of historical revisionism, which could have deeper consequences for both the present and future political narrative," he said.
"I am wondering if Rahul Gandhi, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, and other senior leaders at AICC and TPCC are aware that Shri Revanth Reddy is conspicuously attempting to exploit the historical festival by rebranding it as Telangana Praja Palana Dinothsavam. He has also personally invited prominent BJP leaders such as Shri Amit Shah, Shri Kishan Reddy, and Shri Bandi Sanjay, who otherwise do not see eye to eye with Shri Rahul Gandhi nationally," he added.
He alleged that this move reflects a deceitful alignment with the BJP, reinforcing the suspicion that the Chief Minister might be preparing to merge with them in the future.
He pointed out the political context of September 17th, 1948, which is a key date in Telangana's history. On this day, Hyderabad State, then ruled by the Nizam, was integrated into the Indian Union through Operation Polo. While this event marked the end of feudal rule and the incorporation of Hyderabad into India, it is a contested historical moment, he said.
"The BJP celebrates it as Hyderabad Liberation Day, emphasising it as an end of the Nizam's oppressive and tyrannical regime. The Communists refer to it as "Telangana Betrayal Day" or "Telangana Vidrohadinam."
In contrast, the BRS, as envisioned by Shri KCR, marks the day as Telangana National Integration Day, emphasising the traditional culture of Telangana, including Ganga Jamuna Tehzeeb, social harmony, unity, and progress considering the sensitivity around the day," he said.
The BRS leader said that the Congress has also historically adopted a balanced and reconciliatory approach, branding it as Telangana Merger Day (Telangana Vilina Dinam). While acknowledging the hardships endured under Nizam's rule, Congress has also recognised the violence and suffering caused by the police action following the integration, which left scars on many communities in Telangana. This balanced narrative reflects Congress's desire to maintain social harmony by avoiding the glorification of either side, he said.
"Shri Revanth Reddy conveniently forgotten the fact that as TPCC President announced in the year 2022 to organise year-long celebrations of 'Telangana Vilina Dinam (Merger Day) Vajrotsavalu' commemorating the accession of Nizam's Hyderabad State into the Indian Union on September 17 and even demanded the Government of India sanction Rs 5000 Cr for celebrations. Now only he knows why he is dictatorially renaming and demeaning history," Sravan alleged.