Bandi Sanjay Accuses Congress Govt of Minority Appeasement During Bonalu

Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar accused the ruling Congress and the BRS of pursuing minority appeasement policies during Bonalu celebrations in Hyderabad's Old City on Sunday. Attacking the state government, he alleged that basic facilities were not being provided to devotees during the festival.

Sanjay Kumar questioned the funding allocated for Bonalu across the city. He stated that despite there being around 3,400 temples in Hyderabad, the state government allocated only Rs 20 crore for Bonalu celebrations, compared to Rs 33 crore allocated for Ramzan celebrations.

The Union Minister targeted former Chief Minister and BRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, alleging that he failed to fulfill a promise of providing Rs 20 crore for the development of the Lal Darwaza Ujjaini Mahankali temple. He also alleged that the Congress government was withholding development funds for the Simhavahini temple out of fear of making AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi unhappy.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Kumar said that Hindus in the Old City pay taxes and questioned why that money was not being returned for the development of local temples. He asserted that both the Congress and BRS are afraid of Sanatana Dharma, adding that if the BJP comes to power in Telangana, it will organise Bonalu celebrations in the Old City on a grand scale with all necessary facilities.

Sanjay Kumar also raised concerns over education, asking why the history of the Telangana Armed Struggle and its fighters had not been included in the school curriculum. He remarked that it was heartening to see young people speaking up for Sanatana Dharma on social media while also contributing to scientific progress.

Finally, Sanjay Kumar attacked the Congress government over its unfulfilled election promises regarding employment. He questioned the party over its pledge to fill two lakh government posts within a year and provide a Rs 4,000 monthly unemployment allowance. In contrast, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with providing 12 lakh jobs through Rozgar Melas.