BJP Celebrates Telangana Liberation Day, Reflecting on 1948’s Operation Polo and Calls for Teaching History in Schools

Hyderabad – The air was crisp on September 17, and the Telangana BJP office was buzzing with flags, chatter and a sense of nostalgia. Party state president N Ramchander Rao stood before a modest gathering and, with a hint of pride in his voice, called the day a "very proud moment" for the people of Telangana.

Rao reminded everyone that the date marks the day the region was finally freed from the Nizam’s autocratic rule and merged into the Indian Union after the decisive military action known as “Operation Polo.” He pointed out that, for four years running, the central government has staged formal parades with paramilitary forces on the same day – a sign, he said, that the nation acknowledges the sacrifice.

“September 17 is important for every Telugu‑speaking heart,” Rao said, his tone shifting between reverence and a casual smile. “It’s the day when, after 13 months of terror by the Nizam and the Razakars, the Indian army rolled in, the Nizam surrendered, and the tricolour finally flew over Hyderabad.”

In a small personal gesture, Rao unfurled the national flag outside his own house, posting a photo on X with a caption that mixed history and a dash of personal pride. “Unfurled the Tiranga at my residence in honour of this historic day,” he wrote, adding a short reminder of the hardships endured by ordinary people under the feudal regime.

The celebration also coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Rao took the opportunity to wish the PM “a long and healthy life,” noting that the timing added an extra layer of festivity to the occasion.

Former Governor and senior leader Bandaru Dattatreya, who was also present, used the platform to push for a more formal recognition of the day in educational curricula. He praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s decisive leadership in 1948, saying the tricolour’s hoisting under Patel’s direction was a watershed moment that should not be confined to textbooks about 1947’s Independence Day alone.

“While India celebrated independence on 15 August 1947, the people of the erstwhile Hyderabad State had to wait until 17 September 1948 for their own liberation,” Dattatreya explained. “It is essential that schools teach this episode so that future generations understand the price paid for freedom.”

His call resonated with many in the audience, who recalled stories passed down from grandparents about the Razakar atrocities and the relief that followed the army’s arrival. The sentiment was clear: Telangana’s Liberation Day is not just a regional holiday; it is a reminder of a painful past and a testament to the resilience of its people.

As the day drew to a close, the BJP office continued its modest ceremony with a cultural program featuring folk songs, a short documentary on Operation Polo, and a moment of silence for the martyrs. The mood was reflective, yet hopeful – a blend of solemn remembrance and forward‑looking optimism.

In the end, whether through flag‑unfurling, tweets, or school‑board petitions, the message was the same: September 17 remains a cornerstone of Telangana’s identity, a day when the region reclaimed its place in a united India, and a story that, according to many, still needs louder voices in classrooms across the country.