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Hyderabad: The opposition BRS in Telangana on Thursday announced it would hold protests against the Congress government’s alleged move to remove Charminar and the ‘Kakatiya arch’ from the state emblem. BRS working president K T Rama Rao, who visited Charminar along with other party leaders, stated that Charminar is the identity of Hyderabad.
Speaking to reporters, Rama Rao accused the Congress government of not wanting former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to receive credit for the BRS government’s performance over the last 10 years. He also claimed that the Congress is attempting to undermine the progress achieved during BRS’s tenure.
“We oppose the Congress government’s attempt to remove Charminar and the Kakatiya arch from the official logo of Telangana,” he said, adding that the BRS would also organize protests on this issue. Rama Rao demanded that the Congress government withdraw its alleged attempt to remove these historical symbols from the state emblem.
The proposed agitation by the BRS came in response to the state government’s move to introduce a new state emblem reflecting the “struggles and sacrifices of Telangana,” along with a new state song. Rama Rao condemned the government’s decision to remove Charminar and Kakatiya Kala Thoranam from the state emblem. “If the government does not withdraw the decision, a protest will be launched in Telangana,” he added.
On state formation day, June 2, the Congress government plans to unveil the new emblem, arguing that the current emblem featuring Kakatiya Kala Thoranam and Charminar reflects feudalism and autocratic rule. CM Reddy wants the new emblem to symbolize the decades-long struggle for Telangana state. CM Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka have finalized the new emblem, designed by artist Rudra Rajesham. The government has also enlisted Oscar-winning music composer MM Keeravani to compose music for the state song, which will also be released on June 2. The state anthem adopted is Ande Sri’s ‘Jaya Jaya He Telangana.’
CM Reddy is scheduled to hold a meeting with leaders of all political parties to brief them on the new logo and state song.
Earlier, on X, Rama Rao posted, “Worldwide, Charminar has been the icon/symbol of Hyderabad for centuries. When one thinks of Hyderabad, they cannot but think of Charminar, which has all the qualities of a UNESCO world heritage site. Now the Congress Government wants to remove the iconic Charminar from the state logo citing frivolous reasons.”
He also stated that the protest at Kakatiya Kala Thoranam was just the beginning and that BRS would proceed legally. He questioned the Telangana government’s decision, saying people have not given Congress the power to change the state emblem. “Kakatiya Kala Thoranam and Charminar are not signs of imperialism. They are symbols of development, people’s welfare, and the historical and archaeological significance of the region,” he said. He also argued that a change of state emblem would require the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Charminar, constructed in 1591, is the symbol of Hyderabad. Situated on the east bank of the Musi River, it is listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official list of monuments prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India. Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, on the other hand, is a historical arch located in the Warangal district. It was built around the 12th century during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty. These monuments were incorporated into the emblem of Telangana. However, the current government is planning to launch a new emblem, which has triggered the controversy.
