Telangana : Political row ignites over ‘Razakar’ movie

The onset of election season leads to a palpable change in society in general, and in political circles in particular.

Attempts to make a mountain out of a molehill suddenly crop up, often queering the pitch.

That appears to be the case in Telangana now, with the atmosphere changing and a discernible transformation in the political ambience of the state being observed.On the one hand, the Congress in the Opposition has introduced six poll promises for the people of the state, while on the other, the BJP is harping on the alleged atrocities of the Nizam and his rule, besides bringing back the memories of Razakars in every possible form.

One such example is BJP politician Gudur Narayana Reddy launching a film titled Razakar — Silent Genocide of Hyderabad, which he has said would depict the hardships endured by Hindus at the hands of the Nizams and their paramilitary forces.The film reportedly portrays the period when Hyderabad had not yet integrated with the Indian Union after the latter gained independence.

Interestingly, suspended BJP MLA T Raja Singh on Sunday, 17 September, released a teaser for the upcoming Telugu film.“An excellent film titled ‘Razakar ‘ is soon to be released, focusing on the tragic events of the Hyderabad massacre during India’s struggle for independence, specifically targeting Hindus.

I urge people to help promote awareness of this movie nationwide and contribute to its success,” tweeted Raja Singh after launching the teaser.Even BJP national general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar — the former Telangana BJP chief — shared the teaser and stated: “Literally Goosebumps watching the trailer of the movie Razakar… Current generations should know about the struggles of Hyderabad Liberation.Let’s engage with history even as their pseudo intellectuals try to erase it.” The film, written and directed by Yata Satyanarayana, is set to release in multiple languages — including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.It features an ensemble cast, with Bobby Simha, Vedhika, Anishka Tripathi, Prema, Indraja, and Makarand Deshpande in the lead roles.

The release date of the film has not been finalised.During the teaser launch, producer Gudur Narayana Reddy said vote-bank politics and pseudo-secularism had played a role in historical truths being concealed from the public.

“Some intellectually bankrupt jokers of the BJP are doing their best to instigate communal violence and polarisation for their political propaganda in Telangana.We will take up the matter with censor board and also the Telangana police to ensure that the law and order situation of Telangana is not affected,” said KTR on X.BRS spokesperson Sravan Dasoju said Bandi Sanjay Kumar needed to study the factual history of the armed struggle.“Are you ready to debate who were behind the Razakars? Are you ready to discuss the brutal and barbaric role of our so-called landlords and rulers of Gadis and Samstahnams during the times of Razakar atrocities? Are you ready to discuss the atrocities and violence that occurred even after the era of Razakars?” he asked.“Being a member of Parliament, it is unbecoming and unacceptable of Bandi Sanjay Kumar to even welcome the Razakar teaser, which is aimed at reopening a wound that healed several decades ago,” said Dasoju.

He added for the sake of petty politics of polarisation, Razakar was being produced and promoted as a criminal conspiracy to destroy social tranquillity, to foster hatred and a divisive atmosphere, and also to contaminate the very social fabric of the “Ganga-Jamuna Tehzib” in Telangana and Hyderabad.