Revanth Reddy Justifies Renaming Telugu University

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today defended the State government's decision to rename the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University in honour of Suravaram Pratap Reddy.

Responding to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who had strongly criticised the move after a representation to him from the Arya Vysya community to which Potti Sreeramulu belonged, the CM said that the government had taken several policy decisions to recognise the contributions of prominent individuals to the formation of Telangana State.

"This process has been going on for a decade, ever since the creation of Telangana State. Moreover, having two universities with the same name could cause administrative confusion. That is why we are renaming universities and institutions in Telangana. It is not intended to treat any individual with disdain or indifference," Reddy said.

He explained that it was in line with this approach that the government had renamed the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, and had also altered the names of several other institutions that still bore their old names from the days of united Andhra Pradesh.

"I often wonder whether it is politics that is corrupted or the perceptions of political leaders. The contributions and sacrifices of Potti Sreeramulu should never be undervalued. It is essential that everyone acknowledges and remembers his sacrifices. Unfortunately, some political groups are trying to mislead certain communities, which is unbecoming of leaders in responsible positions," he lamented.

The CM also said that the government had honoured Kaloji Narayana Rao by renaming the NTR Health University after him, and that that was not an act of disrespect toward NTR. He added that the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University had been renamed after Professor Jayashankar, the YSR Horticulture University after Konda Laxman Bapuji, and the Venkateswara University after former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao.

He also said that while the Gujarat government had named the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cricket Stadium after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress government in Telangana had refrained from making such decisions.

"We should name the Cherlapally railway terminal after Potti Sreeramulu. Union Ministers Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay should demonstrate their commitment by securing the necessary approval from the Centre," he said.

The CM also proposed that the Balkampet Nature Cure Hospital be named after former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah, also from the Arya Vysya community, and announced plans to install a statue in the latter's honour to recognise his contributions.