Hyderabad, April 16 (RAHNUMA): Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao on Thursday took strong exception to the remarks made by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya regarding the formation of Telangana, describing them as the pinnacle of ignorance.
In a statement, the Minister condemned the MP’s rhetoric, asserting that it was a direct affront to the collective self-respect of the people. Jupally Krishna Rao maintained that such comments undermine a movement defined by democratic persistence and the supreme sacrifices of the state’s youth.
The Minister stated that such reckless comments belittle the decades of struggle and the ultimate sacrifices of Telangana’s youth, turning a sacred milestone into a tool for political controversy. He noted that the birth of the state was the culmination of a long-standing public demand, validated by the highest legislative body of the country.
The Minister further alleged that the MP’s remarks reflect a “deep-seated bias” within the BJP leadership. He claimed that the party has consistently failed to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Telangana identity, recalling previous instances where senior leaders had used derogatory analogies to describe the bifurcation.
Jupally Krishna Rao also credited the then-leadership of the UPA, particularly Sonia Gandhi, for recognising the emotional aspirations of the region despite potential political risks. He accused the BJP of maintaining a contradictory stance—seeking votes in the state while allegedly harboring “ill-will” toward its very existence.
Demanding an unconditional public apology from Surya, the Minister warned that any attempt that demeans the struggle for statehood would be met with a fitting response from the Telangana people.
