HYDERABAD: In an open letter to AICC leader Rahul Gandhi, intellectuals from various sections of Telangana society expressed their opposition to the Congress government’s decision to install a statue of Rajiv Gandhi in front of the Secretariat, a site earmarked for Telangana Talli.
Prof. Haragopal, Tankasala Ashok, Allam Narayana, Goreti Venkanna, Mallepally Laxmaiah, Nandini Sidda Reddy and several others strongly opposed the decision of the Telangana Government to install a statue of Rajiv Gandhi in front of the Secretariat complex in place of the statue of Telangana Talli.
Telangana Talli represents the culture, heritage and pride of the people of Telangana. Replacing her statue is not just the removal of a monument but an attempt to erase the identity and indomitable spirit of the people of Telangana who fought for statehood at countless sacrifices, her letter said.
“Telangana Talli symbolises our language, our traditions and the collective memory of our struggle for self-respect and autonomy. Through it, we celebrate our victories, honour our sacrifices and inspire future generations to uphold our values,” they added.
Emotional meaning
Even during the armed struggle in Telangana, noted poets like Dasarathi and Ravella Venkatarama Rao composed poems and songs praising the concept of Telangana Talli. This concept, once ridiculed and neglected during the time of united Andhra Pradesh, was revived during the second phase of the agitation for Telangana statehood, they recalled. The proposal to install a statue of Rajiv Gandhi, a leader who, though respected in many quarters, does not hold the same cultural and emotional significance for the Telugu people, they said.
They called on the government to reconsider its decision as it was unacceptable to the population. “We believe that respecting the feelings of the people and protecting our cultural symbols are essential to preserve the dignity and unity of our society,” they added.
