Rama Krishna Sangem
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 17, Sunday, led an official programme of the Central government to commemorate the Hyderabad Liberation Day. It is on this day 75 years ago, in 1948, Indian army entered Hyderabad princely state to force then 7th Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan surrender to the Indian Union. The combat between feeble Nizam forces and the dominant Indian army lasted four days.
For the last several years, especially since 2014, BJP has made it a point to demand Telangana CM KCR to hold an official function to mark the Hyderabad Liberation Day. The party attaches importance to this day due to two major reasons – one, it signifies the national integration as Hyderabad State was the biggest princely state before 1947 in India. Two, it marks fall of a Muslim princely state and highlights the fight by majority Hindus.
Of course, CM KCR has begun acknowledging September 17, for the last few years in view of its historical importance. However, KCR issued orders to celebrate the day as National Integration Day by unfurling the national flag at an official event. This closed the scope for protest by the BJP. Still they used September 17 as an occasion to make their presence felt politically.
Low key affair this time
This time, the BJP initially wanted to celebrate September 17 on a large scale – by holding a massive public meeting at Secunderabad Parade Ground. However, reasons not known the party scaled it down to a limited affair. Almost a party delegates meeting, limiting it to those from Hyderabad city. Amit Shah was received by Union Tourism Minister and BJP Telangana president G Kishan Reddy and other seniors.
Shah confined to the role played by then Home Minister Sardar Patel in the Police Action which led to the merger of Hyderabad State in 1948. Shah praised the sacrifices of those who fought against then Nizam. He refrained from making any political comments against either ruling BRS or Congress, as it is an official function. After the meeting, Shah held a review meeting with BJP seniors and told them to work hard to maximize their tally in the December assembly polls.
