What to Expect for the Celebrations on September 17 in Hyderabad?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- September 17 is significant for both the BJP and Congress.
- Celebrations will feature parades and cultural events.
- Defence Minister and Chief Minister will hoist the National Flag.
- 1,000 artists and troops will participate.
- A virtual museum will highlight the history of Hyderabad's liberation.
Hyderabad, Sep 16 (NationPress) September 17 marks Hyderabad Liberation Day for the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, while for the Congress government in Telangana, it is a day dedicated to people's governance.
Both the Central and State governments are preparing to commemorate September 17, the date when Hyderabad State was incorporated into the Indian Union, with unique themes.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Centre will host the Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations at the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will raise the National Flag to signify the occasion.
The event will feature a parade by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) along with a cultural extravaganza, as stated by Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, who represents the Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency.
Approximately 1,000 artists and paramilitary personnel are expected to partake in this celebration.
Kishan Reddy has urged all citizens to display the National Flag in every village across Telangana. He stated, "Let us remember the immortal heroes who laid down their lives fighting against the Nizam's autocratic regime."
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will also hoist the National Flag at the primary event occurring at the Public Garden in Hyderabad. Similar to the previous year, the state government is observing this day as Telangana Praja Palana Dinotsavam (people's governance day).
State ministers, advisors, and essential representatives will also hoist the National Flag and take salute at the official celebrations held in all 32 district headquarters.
The National Flag will additionally be raised at all government offices, urban local bodies, and gram panchayats.
While the former government of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) marked September 17 as 'National Integration Day' in 2022 and 2023, the Congress party, which came to power in December 2023, has chosen to celebrate it as 'Praja Palana Dinotsavam'.
In 2022 and 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah served as the chief guest at the Hyderabad Liberation Day event at Parade Ground. Last year, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy led the festivities.
Last year, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy invited Union Ministers Amit Shah, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kishan Reddy, and Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar to the 'Praja Palana Dinotsavam' to celebrate the anniversary of the "arrival and endorsement of democracy on Hyderabad soil".
However, BJP leaders declined the invitation. Kishan Reddy expressed that he "cannot partake in an insincere ritual that blatantly tries to erase the truth from the public."
In March of last year, the BJP-led government at the Centre resolved to commemorate September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day. A gazette notification was issued stating that Hyderabad did not gain independence for 13 months after India's Independence on August 15, 1947, and remained under the Nizam's rule.
The BJP has long advocated for an official observance of September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day. In both united Andhra Pradesh and subsequently in Telangana, the party has organized protests urging the government to officially mark these celebrations.
Nevertheless, successive governments have refrained from official celebrations due to objections from Muslim organizations, which claim that a massacre occurred during the 'Police Action' known as 'Operation Polo'.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and other parties have steadfastly opposed the celebrations, arguing that all of India has a single Independence Day.
In 2022, the Union Ministry of Culture began organizing the celebrations in Hyderabad on September 17.
Accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue, former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao opted to commemorate September 17 as National Integration Day. The AIMIM also altered its approach and celebrated it as National Integration Day.
This year, as a precursor to the Centre's program, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated a 3D virtual museum themed around the Liberation of Hyderabad Samsthan at Parade Ground.
Developed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Union Government, the 3D digital virtual museum offers an in-depth overview of pivotal events, struggles, and milestones that defined Hyderabad's liberation. It features rare photographs, archival documents, and visuals of freedom fighters, leaders, and historic monuments through interactive timelines, maps, and multimedia presentations.