Cultural Symbol Sparks Political Firestorm in Telangana
A fresh political row has erupted in Telangana, with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) accusing the ruling Congress government of attempting to dilute the state’s cultural identity.The controversy centers on the issue of the Telangana Talli (Mother Telangana) statue and its proposed redesign, which the BRS alleges is a deliberate move to erase the legacy of the statehood movement.
BRS leaders, spearheading the attack, have strongly criticized the Congress government’s actions, stating that the proposed changes to the universally accepted image of the Mother figure are an insult to the state’s pride and heritage. They point out that the original image, which was widely accepted during the separate Telangana agitation, symbolized the collective struggle and sacrifices of the people.
Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao was vocal in his condemnation, stating that the government should focus its energies on fulfilling its election promises and improving the lives of the citizens, rather than engaging in the “politics of statues.” He challenged the Chief Minister and the Congress party to remove all the statues of Telangana Talli that were installed across the state during the previous regime, suggesting the government has a larger, undisclosed agenda.
The ruling Congress, however, has swiftly defended its position. Government representatives countered the BRS’s narrative by asserting that the previous government, despite being in power for nearly a decade, never officially approved or gazetted a design for the Telangana Talli statue. They argue that the earlier statues were merely those associated with a particular political party, not a state-approved symbol.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has stated that the new design for the Telangana Talli statue is meant to represent the state’s cultural ethos and motherhood in a universally acceptable form. The government’s decision to celebrate a significant day in the state’s formation history as ‘Telangana Talli Avatarana Diwas’ was also a part of today’s political discourse, with the Congress crediting its national leadership for the state’s creation.
The controversy highlights the ongoing political tussle over the narrative of Telangana’s history and its formation. By questioning the cultural symbols, the BRS is attempting to rally sentiments and place the Congress on the defensive, especially as the government celebrates its achievements. The debate essentially pits the “legacy of the statehood movement” against the “vision for a new Telangana” under the current administration, ensuring that the issue of cultural identity remains a key point of political contention in the days to come.
