Hyderabad: Jupally Krishna Rao on Thursday strongly criticised Tejasvi Surya over his comments on Telangana statehood, calling them insensitive and factually incorrect.
In a statement, the Telangana Tourism and Culture Minister said the Telangana formation remarks hurt the sentiments of people who were part of the long struggle for statehood. He further emphasised that the movement was rooted in democratic values and reflected the aspirations of millions.
Moreover, he added that such statements undermine the sacrifices made by students, youth, and activists who played a key role in achieving Telangana. Accordingly, reducing the historic process to political rhetoric is unacceptable.
Telangana formation remarks trigger political backlash
The Minister said the Telangana formation remarks showed a lack of understanding of the region’s history. He noted that the creation of Telangana was the result of decades of sustained public demand and constitutional processes.
Furthermore, Jupally Krishna Rao pointed out that Parliament had approved the formation after extensive deliberations. Therefore, he said questioning its legitimacy amounts to disregarding democratic institutions.
At the same time, he accused the BJP of maintaining a contradictory stance on Telangana. While the party seeks political support in the state, it allegedly fails to acknowledge the significance of its formation.
Demand for apology and defence of statehood movement
The Minister referred to previous instances where leaders made controversial statements about Telangana’s bifurcation. In addition, he said such remarks indicate a recurring pattern and called for greater sensitivity from national leaders.
He credited Sonia Gandhi and the then UPA leadership for taking the decision to create Telangana despite political challenges. He described the move as a response to the emotional and social aspirations of the people.
Subsequently, Jupally Krishna Rao demanded an unconditional public apology from Tejasvi Surya. He also warned that any attempt to belittle the Telangana statehood movement would face strong opposition from the public.
Overall, political observers note that the issue has reignited debate over Telangana’s formation and its continued relevance in contemporary politics. The Telangana formation remarks controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding regional identity and political narratives in the state.
