Talasani warns against Secunderabad identity erasure, announces mass protests
Hyderabad: Former Minister and Sanath Nagar MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Friday accused the State government of attempting Secunderabad identity erasure. He explained it was through what he termed arbitrary and unilateral administrative decisions. These were taken without public consultation.
Addressing a press conference at his camp office in West Marredpally along with Secunderabad and Musheerabad MLAs, Talasani alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was deliberately sidelining Secunderabad. This occurred while pushing major municipal restructuring proposals. He criticised the Congress government for bypassing local residents and elected representatives, further contributing to Secunderabad identity erasure.
Talasani described the proposed redrawing of municipal wards and corporations as “dictatorial”. He alleged that the ward division exercise was carried out without ground-level surveys. Instead, it was based solely on Google Maps, which could lead to erasure of Secunderabad’s identity. He opposed the proposal to increase ward divisions from 150 to 300. Additionally he opposed the creation of three corporations — Hyderabad, Malkajgiri and Cyberabad — while excluding Secunderabad.
Secunderabad identity erasure sparks protest call
Announcing a series of non-violent protest programmes, Talasani said the agitation would demand the formation of a separate municipal corporation in the name of Secunderabad. He said a key meeting would be held on January 11 at Lee Palace in Balam Rai. The purpose was to mobilise public opinion to counter the identity erasure threat.
He further announced a massive rally of around 10,000 people on January 17. It would run from Secunderabad Railway Station to MG Road. Warning of intensified protests, Talasani said bandhs and even a siege of the Secretariat would be considered if the government failed to respond to the growing concern over identity erasure.
Asserting that the 220-year-old identity of Secunderabad would not be compromised, he challenged the Chief Minister to change the name of Hyderabad. This was if he had the courage to do so. Several corporators, former representatives and BRS leaders attended the press conference. They expressed solidarity with the proposed agitation against Secunderabad identity erasure.