Taking serious exception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on the formation of Telangana in 2014, BRS working president and Minister KT Rama Rao said it reflected the premier’s “utter disregard” for historical facts.
In a message posted on X, on Monday, 18 September, Rama Rao — known as KTR — said it was not the first time the prime minister had made disparaging remarks about Telangana’s formation.
“… it reflects his utter disregard for historical facts,” KTR said, referring to Modi’s final speech in the Old Parliament building on Monday, 18 September, before MPs move to the new building on Tuesday.
The prime minister was speaking on the journey of democracy the old building had witnessed.
In an oblique reference to the Congress priding itself on the creation of a separate Telangana as stated by party matriarch Sonia Gandhi in Hyderabad, Modi recalled how the state was divided.
He said that though there had been attempts to deny statehood to Telangana, it was finally done, but the result was that neither the new state of Telangana nor the reorganised Andhra Pradesh was happy.
“Rivers of blood flowed,” Modi said, adding that neither state celebrated the occasion. In fact, the way the state was created gave rise to bitterness and hatred, he claimed.
I am deeply dismayed by Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji's comments regarding the formation of Telangana state
This is not the first instance where the PM has made disparaging remarks about Telangana formation, and it reflects his utter disregard for historical facts
The people… https://t.co/EeKVRXNxDK
— KTR (@KTRBRS) September 18, 2023
Related: Gaiety and pomp mark Telangana Formation Day celebrations
Modi is wrong: KTR
KTR said that the people of Telangana tirelessly fought for six decades to attain statehood, a momentous achievement finally realised on 2 June, 2014. The journey to statehood was marked by countless sacrifices, particularly by the youth of Telangana
To suggest that Telangana did not celebrate its statehood was not only factually incorrect but also came across as ignorant and arrogant.
In his attempts to criticise the Congress party, Prime Minister Modi has been repeatedly hurting the sentiments of the people of Telangana.
It was crucial for political leaders holding important positions to approach such sensitive historical matters with empathy and understanding, considering the emotions and sacrifices associated with them.
Modi has been finding fault with the way the Telangana state was divided ever since he took over as prime minister in 2014.
Addressing an election-eve public meeting in Nizamabad in April 2014, shortly after the creation of the Telangana, Modi said while creating the new state, its mother, implying Andhra Pradesh, had been killed.
Related: KCR kicks off decennial celebrations of Telangana Formation Day
PM’s reference to Telangana
Addressing the special session of Parliament on Monday, Modi initiated a discussion on the ‘Parliamentary journey of 75 years, starting from the Samvidhan Sabha – achievements, experiences, memories, and learnings’.
He recalled the contribution and speeches of stalwarts, including Jawaharlal Nehru, before touching upon the bifurcation of states.
Three states were bifurcated with utmost happiness in this House during Vajpayee’s time, he recalled.
“When Chhattisgarh was formed both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh celebrated it. When Uttaranchal was formed, both Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh celebrated it. And when Jharkhand was formed it was celebrated by both Jharkhand and Bihar. All the people celebrated it,” he said.
There were some bitter memories also, the prime minister further state. “After the formation of Telangana, neither Telangana nor Andhra Pradesh could celebrate it. It was made amidst tensions. If it was formed with the same energy and fervour, then we could have celebrated a better Telangana now,” he opined.
“The seeds of hate were sown,” he added.
