The controversy over the Congress party's proposed Telangana Thalli statue has ignited a heated political debate, with the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) sharply criticizing the statue's design and questioning its alignment with Telangana's identity.
The issue has spotlighted the cultural and political symbolism of the statue, with both sides trading accusations.
BRS working president K T Rama Rao (KTR) expressed his disapproval on social media and during media interactions, alleging that the Congress's design deviates from traditional representations of Telangana Thalli.
He pointed out the absence of a crown in the statue, claiming it undermines the divine and symbolic essence of the figure.
Additionally, KTR criticized the exclusion of Bathukamma, a floral festival closely tied to Telangana's cultural identity, from the design.
KTR further alleged that the statue's hand gesture resembles the Congress party's emblem, accusing Congress of politicizing a cultural symbol.
He also charged Congress leader Revanth Reddy with undermining Telangana's heritage and identity out of political vendetta against BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR).
In defense, Congress leaders highlighted that the statue is rooted in the rural ethos of Telangana. They argued that it represents a humble Telangana woman, symbolizing the state's agrarian roots, depicted in a green saree with millet and paddy in hand.
The design, they claim, reflects the simplicity and resilience of the state's people rather than focusing on specific iconography like a crown or Bathukamma.
Critics have dismissed KTR’s claims, particularly the assertion that the hand gesture symbolizes the Congress party.
"It’s absurd to say the gesture reflects the Congress. If that were true, does it mean Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala or Lord Lakshmi Narasimha of Yadagirigutta, who have similar hand gestures, are Congress leaders?” an analyst remarked.
They also noted that the official statue of Mother Chhattisgarh features a similar hand gesture, yet it has no connection to the Congress party. This, they argued, underscores the broader cultural significance of such symbols, which should not be reduced to political squabbles.
