Row over naming and renaming in Telangana

Telangana’s formation was the culmination of decades of struggle. A 14-year-long movement was led by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) finally carving out a separate state. Until 2019, the Telangana sentiment remained strong. However, KCR gradually moved away from this core identity, focusing instead on national politics. This shift created a vacuum, allowing the BJP to step in, bringing religion and later caste dynamics into the political discourse.

Caste considerations have overshadowed Telangana’s pride today. This is evident in the resistance against renaming institutions and buildings previously named after Andhra leaders. What once seemed unthinkable has now become a reality—a demand from Telangana’s own leaders to retain the names of Andhra figures.

Controversy over Potti Sreeramulu’s Telugu University renaming

The Telangana Assembly witnessed intense debates on Monday as the state government introduced the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University Bill 2025, renaming it after Suravaram Pratapa Reddy, a Telangana-born freedom fighter and writer. Despite strong opposition from the BJP, the bill was passed through a voice vote.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy defended the decision, emphasizing Telangana’s historical identity. However, BJP leader and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay accused the government of sidelining the Arya Vaishya community by replacing Potti Sreeramulu, a prominent figure from the community. In response, without directly addressing Sanjay, Revanth Reddy urged political leaders to avoid stoking caste and religious divisions.

Honoring Andhra leaders

Amid the heated exchanges, the Chief Minister attempted to strike a balance. To pacify opposition voices, he proposed renaming the Cherlapalli railway terminal after Potti Sreeramulu and the Balkampet Nature Cure Hospital after former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Konijeti Rosaiah, even announcing plans to install a statue in Rosaiah’s honor.

Identity Shift: From regional pride to caste

The developments signal a striking transformation in Telangana’s socio-political landscape. What began as a movement rooted in regional pride has, within a decade, been overtaken by caste and religious identities. Ironically, Andhra leaders, once considered symbols of domination, are now being embraced under the pretext of caste representation.

The Telangana sentiment, once the driving force of the state, now seems like a relic of the past.