BJP, TRS in combat mode to officially celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day

HYDERABAD: The Central Government and the Telangana State Government will be celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17 officially. Both the BJP and the ruling TRS are vying with each other, with both the parties organising celebrations across the State in sync with the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations.

For the first time, the Union Government has taken initiative to organise the Liberation Day celebrations, making it a topic of debate across the State. Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy held a review meeting on Friday. The BJP, along with the RSS, would organise the events under the name of 'Nizam Vimukta Swatantrya Amrutotsavam'. Union Home Minister Amit Shah would be the Chief Guest for this program scheduled to be organised at Parade Grounds. A parade of Armed Forces was also likely to be organised. State party sources confirmed that the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Maharashtra would also attend the event at Parade Grounds.

The RSS was also planning for year-long celebrations of the 'Nizam Vimukta Swatantrya Amrutotsavam'. The RSS leaders held meetings with the heads of various district and mandal workers and decided to form committees with prominent people from various fields and family members of those who participated in anti-Nizam struggles.

BJP leaders have repeatedly accused the KCR-ruled government of not celebrating the Hyderabad Liberation Day, as promised during the Telangana movement, because of being an ally with The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi demanded that a national integration day be celebrated, instead of Hyderabad Liberation Day. The Telangana Government acceded to the same.

However, the TRS also officially declared three-day celebrations of the liberation day, from September 16 to 18, just like the State held 15-day celebrations for marking the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. The celebrations were designed to commemorate the sacrifices of heroes and instil national spirit and sense of unity for future generations. 

Students across Telangana would conduct rallies across the State on September 16, as part of the "Vajrotsavaalu" being organised by the State Government. KCR would hoist the National Flag in Public Gardens on September 17. The three-day celebrations would mark the beginning of the Vajrotsavaalu and they would conclude with a three-day celebrations on September 16,17 and 18 in 2023.

KCR would also inaugurate Banjara Adivasi Bhavan on September 17, participate in a rally up to NTR Stadium and he would address a public meeting the same evening there. On September 18, the State Government asked officials of all districts to felicitate freedom fighters.

These decisions were taken by the Telangana State Cabinet.

The BJP's celebrations of Hyderabad Liberation Day amount to indirectly dishonouring the eighth Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan. KCR has always praised the contribution and infrastructure creation of the Nizam in Telangana, especially in Hyderabad. Considering the purported allegiance owed by the forefathers of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi to the Razakar brigade, perpetrated by the Nizam, the BJP has always been raising a pointer at KCR charging him with soft pedalling with the Owaisis.

However, KCR has demonstrated his political astuteness sans being rattled and budging to either side – the MIM or the BJP.

Marking the Swatantra Bharata Vajrotsavam, the Telangana government is also likely to join the chorus. Weather the Nizam would be demonised or deified by the TRS is not known, but the BJP for sure would portray the Nizam, the Razakar and the MIM as 'villains de peace'.