BRS Demands Retention of Charminar, Kakatiya Thoranam in State Emblem

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, who visited Charminar to protest the government decision, said Charminar is synonymous with Hyderabad just as the Kakatiya Thoranam is synonymous with Telangana.

“The people of Hyderabad and Telangana will not take to this kindly. Our demand is simple. Charminar and Kakatiya Thoranam must be retained in the official state emblem. These changes are an insult to the people of Hyderabad, and the people of the state and they will oppose the move,” Rama Rao told reporters at Charminar.

Though Rama Rao, accompanied by several other city party leaders, wanted to stage a protest at Charminar, the police denied permission. He was, however, allowed to reach Charminar and address an impromptu press meet.

“Where is the tearing hurry for changing the emblem? Instead of governing for which people elected the Congress, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is attempting to erase KCR and his initiatives from Telangana's history. No one can erase the history of Telangana. The Congress government is acting out of political malice and vengeance, ignoring the positive developments of the past 10 years in the state,” Rama Rao said.

Instead of such stubborn and obstinate actions, Rama Rao said the Chief Minister should focus on providing good governance, keep his promises to the people.

“In 1991, the then Congress government celebrated 400 years of Charminar using the monument as the digit 4 in the celebrations log. If the Congress government then could celebrate Charminar, why is this government removing it from the emblem?” Rama Rao asked.

It may be recalled that on Wednesday, senior BRS leader and former MP B. Vinod Kumar staged a protest at the Kakatiya Thoranam at the Warangal Fort, demanding that the arch must remain in the emblem and removing it will result in a legal battle.