The ruling parties in Telangana and Centre, TRS and BJP are going all out to claim the legacy over Sep 17, an important day in the history of Telangana. It was on Sep 17, 1948 that Telangana (then called as Hyderabad state) was annexed into India (then known as Dominion of Indian Union) through police action led by Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prior to that a violent uprising Telangana Armed Struggle occured for about two to three years as peasants and general public fought against the atrocities of Nizam’s militia Razakars.
This complicated history is making September 17, most debated event. While BJP is seeing this as a liberation from Nizam’s tyrannical rule and celebrating it as a Liberation Day, its opponents are condemning it. TRS, AIMIM, Congress and Communists are alleging that by using ‘Liberation Day’ term, BJP is trying to create communal tensions in Telangana for political benefits.
But irrespective of criticism, BJP has planned Liberation Day Celebrations at a grand scale this year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is attending the event as chief guest, giving it a huge push. In response to BJP’s efforts, TRS is celebrating the same event as ‘National Integration Day’ officially on grand scale. TRS MLAs and leaders across Telangana have been organising ‘Integration Day’ programs in all cities, towns and villages. All the prominent TRS leaders have been attacking BJP vehemently. Thus Sep 17 has become a reason for high pitched battle between BJP and TRS.