Telangana Emblem: Congress plans to remove Charminar, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam; BRS protests

Hyderabad: The decision to remove the images of Charminar and Kakatiya Kala Thoranam from the Telangana State Emblem has sparked a controversy with the Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) threatening to carry out a statewide protest.

After coming to power, the newly elected Congress government in Telangana has decided to change the state emblem and song and unveil them on the occasion of the Telangana State Formation Day on June 2. However, the changes have not been received well by the Opposition.

On Thursday, BRS senior party leaders and cadre, led by the party’s working president K Taraka Rama Rao protested near Charminar threatening to launch statewide protests if the changes are implemented. “We demand that the Congress government keep Charminar and Kakatiya Kala Thoranam on the official emblem. Removing them is foolish and stubborn. It is disregarding the self-respect and emotions of the people of Telangana,” said KTR.

‘Charminar is the symbol of Hyderabad’

“Hyderabad is the spirit of Telangana and Charminar is the symbol of Hyderabad. Globally, Hyderabad is recognised by the symbol of Charminar,” KTR said. The Charminar and Kakatiya Kala Thoranam are historic structures of the state. They represent the heritage and legacy of the state, stated heritage activists. Their depiction of the emblem shows that the state values its heritage.

‘The structures don’t represent the struggle for Telangana’

However, the Congress party argued that the structures are from a pre-independence era and, even though they have their place in society, they don’t depict the sentiments and people of the state. The emblem must showcase the history of the struggle for Telangana. “Do these buildings reflect the struggle people underwent for the formation of Telangana State?” asked a senior Congressperson.

What does the new emblem depict?

According to sources, the new emblem will depict the struggle of the people who have achieved the state of Telangana.

“The emblem will represent those who have sacrificed their life for the state. Currently, the emblem shows structures that were not built by the people of Telangana. The Congress government wants to honour those who truly fought for the state,” revealed an insider from the committee in charge of the new emblem.

Emblem to be unveiled on June 2

The Congress government plans to celebrate June 2 in a grand manner across the state. Unveiling of the emblem will be part of the celebrations. The old emblem was designed by the BRS government which ruled the state for the last 10 years, Congress officials said. “The martyrs of the state have been neglected. Our effort is to honour them,” they added.

KTR claimed that the changes to the emblem are an attention diversion tactic by the Congress government to keep focus away from the 'ongoing agricultural and administrative crisis due to the widespread corruption in the state.' KTR labelled the changes as chief minister A Revanth Reddy’s attempts to erase former CM K Chandrashekar Rao’s legacy and his initiatives for the state.

“The Congress government is acting out of political malice and vengeance, ignoring the positive developments of the past 10 years,” KTR said and questioned the sudden necessity and urgency to remove these symbols, leaving aside the electoral promises that should be the ‘current government’s primary priority.’