Congress Demands Government Withdraw Decision On Bonalu

Congress leaders of Telangana today demanded that the state government withdraw its decision to not hold Bonalu festivities in the state this year due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Former PCC President V Hanumantha Rao termed the decision as anti-people and alleged that the state government had taken the decision in a unilateral manner without consulting anybody.

Targeting KCR, he said that it was unfortunate that the CM who had performed poojas at Konda Pochamma Sagar recently and allowed liquor shops to open, was not allowing the Bonalu festivities.

He said that Bonalu was held to pray the deities to keep seasonal diseases at bay in the state, and so was even more important this year. He demanded that the state government review its decision.

Another Congress leader and the patron of the Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple G Niranjan also demanded the government allow the main procession of Bonalu in deference to the beliefs of the people of the state.

He said that the state government could take steps to ensure that the devotees followed social distancing and other lockdown rules during the festival.

He condemned the decision of the government to urge the people of the state to celebrate Bonalu in their homes instead of in public places. He said that the decision was not acceptable as it was not taken after consulting with the representatives of the various political parties and the managements of the different temples of the state.

Niranjan said that the people of the state wanted to celebrate Bonalu to get rid of the coronavirus through their prayers. He also told the state government that the Odisha government was holding the Jagannatha Ratha Yatra at Puri on June 23 despite the coronavirus.