New Delhi: In a significant move, the Union government has officially designated September 17th as “Hyderabad Liberation Day,” marking the historic liberation of Hyderabad from Nizam’s rule. This decision replaces the previous observance of the day as “National Integration Day” by the BRS government.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced this decision through a gazette notification issued on Tuesday. The notification highlights the prolonged struggle for freedom endured by Hyderabad, which remained under Nizam’s rule for 13 months following India’s independence in 1947.
The liberation of Hyderabad was achieved through ‘Operation Polo,’ a police action conducted on September 17, 1948. Responding to the longstanding demand from the people of the region, the Indian government has chosen to commemorate this historic event annually on September 17th as a tribute to the martyrs who contributed to Hyderabad’s liberation.
The BJP has been advocating for the official recognition of September 17th as “Hyderabad Liberation Day” for some time. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing BJP workers in Hyderabad, criticized Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for their failure to celebrate this significant occasion.
For the past two years, the Union Ministry of Culture has been organizing celebrations in Hyderabad on September 17th, commemorating the accession of the erstwhile Hyderabad state to the Indian Union. During these events, Amit Shah has presided over the hoisting of the national flag and reviewed parades conducted by contingents of paramilitary forces.
Amit Shah expressed disappointment that despite the formation of Telangana, political parties have hesitated to observe “Hyderabad Liberation Day” due to electoral considerations, emphasizing the need to prioritize historical significance over votebank politics.
