Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said even after the formation of the Telangana state, political parties were hesitating to celebrate the 'Telangana Liberation Day' to pursue vote bank politics.
Speaking at the Centre's official celebration of ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’, the day the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad State merged with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948, he said it was ‘very unfortunate' that parties were hesitating to celebrate the day due to vote bank politics.
"I would like to tell them that people of the country would turn away from those who turn away from their country's history."
Shah affirmed that Telangana and the country can be taken forward only by respecting the nation’s history, the sacrifices of martyrs and the country’s freedom struggle.
The Union Home Minister hoisted the national flag and received the guard of honour on the occasion.
He recalled the atrocities committed by the Razakars (armed supporters of Nizam) during the Nizam rule in present-day Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, which were parts of the erstwhile Hyderabad state.
Shah credited the country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with the liberation of Hyderabad and said due to his efforts Nizam’s Razakars surrendered.
The Union Minister said no government in the past 75 years has celebrated the historic 'Hyderabad Liberation Day and formulated programmes to remind the younger generation about this great day.
Owing to 'appeasement policies' the previous governments were always scared and did not celebrate it, he said.
Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting a new tradition by celebrating the day since last year (2022). he said this is a tribute to the martyrs of the Hyderabad Liberation struggle and sends out a message to the younger generation.
Citing reasons to celebrate the ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’, Shah said it was to inculcate a sense of patriotism among the younger generation, pay homage to the martyrs of the 'liberation' struggle and rededicate in the service of the nation.
Pointing to the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the country has marched forward in realising the dreams of freedom fighters under the leadership of the PM during the last nine years.
India has now reached the fifth position in the world economy from the 11th place in 2014 and Modi has popularised the country’s culture, art and others, through the G20 summit, he said.
The State of Hyderabad, which was under Nizam's rule was annexed to the Union of India following a police action codenamed 'Operation Polo' that culminated on September 17, 1948.
Shah praised Sardar Patel, K M Munshi and all those who worked towards the liberation of Hyderabad State. Union Tourism Minister and BJP president in Telangana G Kishan Reddy also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Shah extended greetings to the people of Telangana, Kalyana Karnataka, or the erstwhile Hyderabad Karnataka region of Karnataka and Marathwada region of Maharashtra on Hyderabad Liberation Day.
September 17 is interpreted differently by different parties in Telangana.
While the BJP has been fighting for the official celebration of the day as 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' for over two decades now, the BRS government celebrated the day as National Integration Day today.
The CPI organised weeklong celebrations of the 'Telangana armed struggle'.
The left party contends that the armed struggle spearheaded by the communists led to the merger of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union.
The AIMIM is organising a bike rally and public meeting on the occasion of 'National Integration Day' on September 17.