Rajnath Singh to Lead Centre’s Hyderabad Liberation Day Celebrations

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take center stage as the chief guest at the Union government’s ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ celebrations at Hyderabad’s Parade Grounds, marking the historic merger of the erstwhile Hyderabad State under Nizam rule with the Indian Union on September 17, 1948. The event, a tribute to the unification efforts led by India’s first Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will also see Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, G Kishan Reddy, and Bandi Sanjay Kumar in attendance, according to BJP sources.

Singh arrived at Hyderabad’s Begumpet airport on Tuesday evening, greeted warmly by state BJP president N Ramchander Rao and other party leaders. Rao, emphasizing Patel’s pivotal role in integrating the princely state, called on citizens to join the celebrations in large numbers, highlighting the event’s significance in honoring a defining moment in India’s history. Kishan Reddy and Sanjay Kumar also met with Singh to discuss the occasion, underscoring its importance to the BJP’s narrative.

The Central government has consistently organized ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ in recent years, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah headlining the 2023 event. Meanwhile, the Telangana government will mark the day as ‘Praja Palana Dinotsavam’ (People’s Governance Day), reflecting differing interpretations of the historic date. The BJP, which has championed September 17 as ‘Liberation Day’ for two decades, argues it celebrates the end of the Nizam’s “tyrannical rule.” The party has criticized past state governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for avoiding official celebrations, alleging they prioritized “appeasement and vote bank politics.”

Also Read: Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh Hail GST Cuts as Diwali Gift

In contrast, the former BRS government referred to the day as ‘National Integration Day,’ while the Communist Party of India (CPI) commemorates it as the culmination of the ‘Telangana Armed Struggle,’ crediting communist-led efforts for pressuring the Nizam’s merger with India. These varied perspectives highlight the complex historical and political significance of September 17, 1948, as Hyderabad prepares for a day of reflection and celebration.

Also Read: India Must Brace for Extended Wars, Says Rajnath Singh