The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha recently organized the celebration of the Bathukamma festival, a deeply cherished cultural event in Telangana, at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple in Hyderabad’s Old City. BJP leader and MP DK Aruna took part in the celebrations, offering prayers to the Goddess and extending her well wishes to the women who gathered to honor the tradition.
However, the celebration was brought to an unexpected halt when the police intervened, citing permission issues and enforcing a restriction that required festivities to end by 6 PM. This abrupt stop sparked a heated response from MP DK Aruna, who expressed her dissatisfaction with the Congress-led government’s handling of the situation.
DK Aruna Criticizes Congress for Restricting Bathukamma Celebrations
In a fiery statement, DK Aruna openly criticized the Congress government, questioning the necessity of court permissions to celebrate a festival that is an integral part of Telangana’s cultural heritage. She declared, “Do we now need court permission to play Bathukamma?”
Her sharp criticism continued as she compared the current Congress regime to a dictatorship, stating, “We thought one dictator left, but another has emerged in his place.” DK Aruna accused the Congress leadership of undermining the state’s traditions and questioned whether the celebration of Telangana’s native festivals would now require permission under the current government.
Defending Telangana’s Traditions and Cultural Heritage
As a passionate advocate for preserving Telangana’s cultural identity, DK Aruna voiced her concerns over the restrictions, accusing the Congress government of disrespecting the state’s traditions. She posed a series of pointed questions, asking, “Why does playing Bathukamma create a law and order problem?” and “What’s wrong with celebrating Bathukamma at the Bhagyalakshmi Temple?”
Her remarks reflected the frustration of many who see the festival as a vital part of Telangana’s identity. DK Aruna further questioned, “Is this why people gave Congress the mandate? To restrict our traditions?” She urged the government to reconsider their actions and warned Congress leader Revanth Reddy not to provoke the Goddess with such “wrong decisions.”
Aruna Draws Comparisons with Previous Regimes
In her critique, DK Aruna compared the current Congress government to the previous regime led by KCR, stating, “A dictatorship worse than KCR’s regime is being imposed now.” This statement underscored her dissatisfaction with the way Telangana’s traditions were being treated under the Congress rule.
Aruna’s comments resonated with those who feel that the essence of Telangana’s cultural and religious festivals is being eroded by political decisions. She challenged the government, demanding to know, “What harm does it cause if women celebrate Bathukamma during Navratri? This is our tradition!”
DK Aruna Rebukes Minister Konda Surekha Over Personal Remarks
In addition to criticizing the Congress government’s handling of the Bathukamma festival, DK Aruna also took issue with Minister Konda Surekha’s controversial remarks against actress Samantha and the Akkineni family. Aruna condemned the minister’s comments as inappropriate, especially for someone holding a high office.
She stressed that personal attacks, especially concerning someone’s private life, have no place in politics. Referring to Konda Surekha’s comments about Samantha’s personal matters, DK Aruna said, “It is unacceptable to speak about a woman’s personal life in such a manner. Divorce is a personal matter; why bring it into politics?”
Protecting Dignity in Public Office
DK Aruna praised actress Samantha for her achievements in the film industry and criticized Minister Konda Surekha for making such unwarranted comments. She emphasized that those in public office should be mindful of their words and avoid making personal attacks that detract from governance.
Aruna further criticized the minister’s remarks about Telangana Minister KTR, stating that while political criticism is acceptable, crossing the line into personal matters is not. “Those in positions of power must be careful about their words. Konda Surekha must reflect on why she made such comments,” DK Aruna advised, calling on public officials to prioritize governance over personal attacks.
Call for Better Governance
In her closing remarks, DK Aruna urged the Congress government to focus on issues that matter, such as preserving Telangana’s cultural heritage and ensuring the well-being of its citizens, rather than allowing political vendettas to interfere with governance. She reiterated that Telangana’s festivals, especially Bathukamma, are deeply rooted in the state’s history and traditions, and they must be celebrated without unnecessary restrictions.
The Bathukamma festival, which celebrates the spirit of womanhood and nature, holds a special place in the hearts of Telangana’s people. DK Aruna’s passionate defense of this tradition highlights the ongoing battle between cultural preservation and political power struggles in the state.