Kavitha urges Telangana govt to release funds, restore traditions for Muharram

Hyderabad: BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruti president Kalvakuntla Kavitha has called on the Congress-led state government to release funds for the upcoming Muharram festival, warning against further neglect of Shia Muslim traditions.

Kavitha made the demand in a phone call to Minority Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar on Friday, stating that the Congress government’s failure to release any funds in 2024 unlike the previous BRS administration had caused deep disappointment among the Shia community.

“Muharram is the holiest observance for Shia Muslims,” she said, adding that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had consistently ensured financial support for the event. “But this government hasn’t released even a single rupee after 2023.”

She expressed particular concern over the government’s refusal last year to permit the traditional elephant procession, a key part of the Muharram observance. “This isn’t just an oversight it hurt religious sentiments,” Kavitha said. She urged the Congress administration not to repeat the mistake this year and to uphold the religious and cultural heritage associated with the festival.

Kavitha appealed for the same level of official support and ceremonial respect that the BRS government had previously extended to Muharram celebrations, stressing the importance of continuity in state support for religious observances.

Responding to her concerns, Minister Laxman Kumar assured that the matter would be taken up with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. He said the government would consider issuing necessary orders to ensure the festival is celebrated with full traditional decorum and financial backing.