On Sunday, during the central government’s official celebration of ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah critiqued the reluctance exhibited by some political factions in embracing the historical significance of the day, attributing their hesitance to vote bank politics.
September 17 marks the day in 1948 when the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union, a seminal event largely orchestrated by India’s first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Shah stressed that acknowledging the nation’s history, including the sacrifices of martyrs during the freedom struggle, is pivotal for fostering patriotism among the younger generation and propelling Telangana and the country forward.
Highlighting the lack of recognition for the day over the past 75 years, Shah accused previous governments of succumbing to ‘appeasement policies’. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the tradition of commemorating the day since 2022, viewing it as a tribute to the martyrs of the Hyderabad Liberation struggle and a means to instil a message of dedication to national service in the younger populace.
Amidst praise for individuals like Patel and K M Munshi who facilitated Hyderabad’s liberation, Shah elucidated the country’s advancements under Modi’s nine-year tenure, including a leap to the fifth position in the global economy and the promotion of Indian culture on international platforms like the G20 summit.
The event also featured insights from Union Tourism Minister and BJP Telangana president G Kishan Reddy, who reiterated the importance of the day. Notwithstanding the central government’s stance, September 17 invites diverse interpretations in Telangana; while BJP advocates for the day to be officially recognized as ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’, a stance pursued for over two decades, the TRS government opted to commemorate it as ‘National Integration Day’. Other parties hold varied perspectives, with CPI emphasising the role of communists in the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union through a weeklong celebration of ‘Telangana armed struggle’, and AIMIM organising events for ‘National Integration Day’.
With diverse celebrations and narratives surrounding the day, Shah’s call urges political entities to unify in honouring the historical essence of Hyderabad Liberation Day, transcending vote bank politics to foster a generation grounded in the rich tapestry of their nation’s history.
