AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi objected to the word ‘liberation’ used by the Central government in its proposed ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ celebrations in Telangana. He wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to use ‘National Integration Day’ instead.
The BJP-led Centre has decided to celebrate 75 years of Hyderabad State Liberation and proposed to hold year-long celebrations from September 17. Reportedly, Chief Ministers of Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka have requested to join the inaugural programme in Hyderabad on September 17.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be the guest of honour.
Reacting to the Centre’s plans in Telangana, Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Government of India decided to celebrate ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ in Telangana on September 17. On behalf of AIMIM, I have written two letters to Home Minister Amit Shah and Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao – the phrase ‘National Integration Day’ may be more apt than mere liberation.”
The struggles of the people of erstwhile Hyderabad state against colonialism, feudalism and autocracy are a symbol of national integration rather than merely a case of ‘liberation’ of a piece of land,” read AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi from his letter to Union HM Amit Shah.
TRS is not in favour of official celebrations in view of the objections from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and others, who argue that there is no need for separate celebrations in Telangana as there is only one independence day for the entire country.
BJP leaders have been alleging that TRS is not officially celebrating the day due to pressure from AIMIM.
