Hyderabad Liberation Day reminds nation that integration must lead to inclusion: Vice-President
Hyderabad, Sept 17 (TNT): Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday said Hyderabad Liberation Day was a reminder of India’s nation-building journey and stressed that political integration must be followed by constitutional democracy, equal rights and equal dignity for all citizens.
Addressing the 79th Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations at Parade Ground in Secunderabad as the chief guest here, Radhakrishnan said September 17, 1948 marked the integration of the erstwhile Hyderabad State with the Indian Union following Operation Polo.
He said the Hyderabad story reflected the challenges faced by a young nation in bringing together people from different political circumstances and represented a journey of statesmanship, courage and sacrifice, followed by the task of building a constitutional democracy.
Recalling the contribution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Vice-President said the first Home Minister and Minister for States carried the responsibility of consolidating hundreds of princely states into one Union while India was recovering from Partition.
“Sardar Patel Ji laid the steely foundation of a strong, unified Ek Bharat,” he said.
Radhakrishnan paid tribute to the people who participated in the Hyderabad struggle, including students, intellectuals, writers, social workers, political activists, farmers and ordinary citizens who endured imprisonment, violence and hardship.
He also remembered patriots including Ramji Gond, Turrebaz Khan and Komaram Bheem.
“Political integration can bring territories together; constitutional democracy brings citizens together,” he said, emphasising equal rights, dignity and opportunity as the foundations of national unity.
The Vice-President said India’s unity did not require uniformity, noting that people could speak different languages, follow different traditions, worship differently and hold different political views while remaining united by the Constitution and the principle that sovereignty belongs to the people.
He also acknowledged the role of the Central Armed Police Forces in the integration of princely states and in safeguarding India’s territorial integrity during 1947-48.
He highlighted their contribution to combating Left-Wing Extremism in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and other affected areas.
Radhakrishnan visited the War Memorial and laid a wreath in honour of the bravehearts. He also inspected the parade and witnessed the March Past and cultural performances.
He later visited an exhibition organised by the Central Bureau of Communication under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, showcasing the struggle, sacrifices and historical journey leading to the liberation and integration of Hyderabad with the Indian Union.
Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Malkajgiri MP Etela Rajender and other dignitaries were present.
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