The Telangana unit of the Communist Party of India on Saturday demanded that the State government officially celebrate the Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17.
Speaking to media persons, CPI Telangana Secretary Chada Venkat Reddy said that Hyderabad was liberated from the Nizam's rule after a long struggle, on September 17, 1948, and its anniversary should be celebrated with national fervour and enthusiasm.
He said that the CPI had been demanding the official celebration of the event, but successive governments had ignored its plea.
He alleged that the Nizam had subjected the citizens of erstwhile Hyderabad State to atrocities, and said that hundreds of people had participated in the movement against the Nizam's government.
Venkat Reddy said that the Telangana government should take measures to educate the younger generations on the atrocities committed by the Nizam, and recognise the role played by freedom fighters by paying them tributes officially.
He added that those who fought against the Nizam's rule should be felicitated by the government.
The CPI leader said that the BJP had no right to speak about the Liberation Day celebrations, and that BJP National President Amit Shah had raised the issue only in view of the upcoming Medak by-elections. He also criticised the BJP for fielding T Jayaprakash Reddy alias Jagga Reddy as its candidate for the Medak by-polls. (INN)