Hyderabad: Telangana Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Thursday criticised BJP MP Tejasvi Surya over his Telangana formation remarks, calling them the pinnacle of ignorance and an affront to public sentiment.
In a statement, the Minister said the Telangana formation remarks directly insulted the collective self-respect of the people. He added that such comments undermined a movement built on democratic struggle and the sacrifices of youth.
Jupally Krishna Rao said the Telangana formation remarks trivialised decades of struggle. He stated that they reduced a historic milestone to a subject of political controversy. Moreover, he said the state’s formation reflected a long-standing public demand. He added that the country’s highest legislative body had validated this demand.
Telangana formation remarks draw sharp response
The Minister alleged that the Telangana formation reflected a deep-seated bias within the BJP leadership. He claimed the party had consistently failed to recognise the legitimacy of Telangana’s identity.
He also referred to earlier instances where senior leaders used derogatory analogies to describe the bifurcation. Therefore, he said such statements indicated a pattern in the party’s approach.
Jupally Krishna Rao credited the then UPA leadership, particularly Sonia Gandhi, for recognising the region’s emotional aspirations. He said the decision came despite potential political risks.
The Minister accused the BJP of adopting a contradictory stance. On one hand, he said, the party sought votes in Telangana. On the other hand, it allegedly harboured ill-will towards the State’s existence.
He demanded an unconditional public apology from Tejasvi Surya. Furthermore, he warned that any attempt to demean the Telangana statehood struggle would invite a strong response from the people.