December 11, 2024 – K.T. Rama Rao the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has strongly criticized the Congress government in Telangana for unveiling a new model of the Telangana Talli statue. He accused the government of disrespecting the culture of Telangana and hurting the sentiments of its people.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Medchal-Malkajigiri district BRS office on Monday, where he also unveiled a Telangana Talli statue, Rama Rao expressed outrage over the statue’s new design installed at the Secretariat complex by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He described it as akin to “killers holding a condolence meeting,” accusing the Congress of opposing Telangana activists and martyrs during the Statehood movement.
The redesigned Telangana Talli statue, which no longer includes elements like Bathukamma a cultural symbol of the region has sparked widespread debate. Rama Rao condemned the change, stating that Telangana Talli is more than an image; it represents the collective spirit and inspiration of the people.
“Nobody in the State had asked for a change in Telangana Talli. Will the image of Telangana Talli or Bharat Mata change every time a new government takes over?” he questioned, emphasizing that such actions undermine the region’s cultural identity.
Rama Rao accused Revanth Reddy of rewriting history and altering cultural symbols. He stated that the Congress party’s decision to remove Bathukamma from the Telangana Talli statue is an insult to Telangana’s heritage and culture.
He further remarked, “When the BRS returns to power, we will send the altered statues of Telangana Talli and Rajiv Gandhi from the Secretariat to Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress office.”
BRS leaders, including Medchal district president and MLC Shambhipur Raju and Quthbullapur MLA K.P. Vivekanand, highlighted their confidence in public support across Greater Hyderabad. They cited the party’s strong performance in previous elections as evidence of its enduring popularity.
The statue controversy has added a new dimension to the ongoing political battle between the Congress and the BRS in Telangana, as both parties attempt to shape the narrative around regional identity and cultural pride.
