Unfurling of the national flag at the offices of political parties marked Hyderabad merger day yesterday.
While the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the main opposition Congress and others celebrated the merger day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked it as “liberation day.”
It was on this day in 1948 that the erstwhile Hyderabad State merged with the Indian union following “police action,” as the Indian military operation against the Nizam’s army is popularly referred to.
The BJP celebrated the day on a large scale with “tiranga yatras” in various parts of Telangana. Federal Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir hoisted the national flag and participated in the “yatra” in Adilabad town.
BJP president Amit Shah addressed a public meeting in Warangal in the evening.
BJP leader G Kishan Reddy tried to unfurl the national flag in the assembly but was stopped by the police.
Tension also prevailed at the Medak district collector’s office in Sangareddy town as ABVP activists tried to unfurl the national flag. Police arrested them to foil their attempt.
Federal Minister for Labour Bandaru Dattatreya hoisted the national flag at the BJP office. He alleged that after coming to power Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has gone back on his promise to officially celebrate the day.
He said Prime Minister Narendra has appealed to the people to celebrate the “liberation day” in a grand manner.
Like the previous governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh, TRS government ignored the demands for officially celebrating the day. The ruling party made it clear that it will not accept September 17 as liberation day and accused the BJP of indulging in “divisive politics.”
Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy, who unfurled the tricolour at TRS headquarters Telangana Bhavana, denied that Chandrasekhar Rao ever promised to celebrate the day officially.
Congress state president Uttam Kumar Reddy hoisted the national flag at the party office. He wanted to know why the TRS chief was not officially celebrating the day while he used to criticise Congress governments in the past for it.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also celebrated the day with a ceremony at its office. TDP state chief L Ramna hoisted the tricolour and also called for official celebrations.
Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) chairman M Kodandaram hoisted the tricolour at the party office to mark the day. He also opposed the BJP’s demand for celebrating it as “liberation day” and said it should be called “merger day.”
BJP and Hindu rightwing organisations had been calling for officially celebrating “liberation day.” They claim that it is being officially celebrated in those districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra which were part of Hyderabad State.