Bandi Sanjay Slams Renaming Telugu University

BJP Leader and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar today expressed strong disapproval of the resolution introduced in the State Assembly to remove Potti Sreeramulu from the name of the Telugu University.

On Sreeramulu's birth anniversary, Sanjay garlanded the former's statue in Karimnagar town and paid tributes. He also participated in a food distribution program organized by Arya Vaisya Sangam leaders and personally served breakfast to the poor.

Later, the Arya Vaisya Sangam leaders submitted a petition to the minister objecting to the removal of Sreeramulu from the Telugu University's name.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay hailed Sreeramulu as a great patriot, a Gandhian, a freedom fighter and a revered leader of the Arya Vaisya community, and said, "We respect Suravaram Pratap Reddy. He has worked tirelessly for the advancement of the Telugu language. We have no objection to naming government programs for the development of Telugu after him. But it is unjust to remove Potti Sreeramulu's name and insult his legacy."

He said that Sreeramulu was not only an immortal figure who sacrificed his life for the formation of Andhra Pradesh but also a great patriot who abandoned a prosperous career and property to fight for the nation's freedom.

"A devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Sreeramulu participated in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and was imprisoned. He actively took part in the Quit India Movement and was jailed three times. He worked to promote the Charkha, and played a crucial role in the Harijan movement, fighting for the rights of the oppressed," he recalled.

He criticised Revanth Reddy for removing Sreeramulu from the name of the Telugu University and replacing it with Suravaram Pratap Reddy based on a proposal from the CPI, calling it an act of caste-based politics, and expressed concern that the CM's decision had hurt the sentiments of patriots, freedom fighters and the Arya Vaisya community.

He also accused the Congress of having a history of "insulting" great leaders. "In the past, the Congress disrespected Ambedkar at every turn. Now, they are attempting to discredit Potti Sreeramulu, who undertook a death fast for a separate Andhra State, by branding him a madman," he alleged.

Sanjay urged that this decision be reversed immediately, and called on the Governor not to approve the resolution.