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The demolition of a convention center co-owned by renowned Telugu actor Nagarjuna Akkineni has sparked a political controversy in Telangana, with the state's Chief Minister Revanth Reddy defending the action by invoking the teachings of Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita. Reddy, the leader of the Congress party, maintains that the demolition was justified under the principle of upholding 'dharma' (righteousness) and combating 'adharma' (unrighteousness), even if it means upsetting influential individuals. He drew a parallel to the epic battle of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna urged Arjuna to fight for righteousness despite the personal cost.
Reddy's statement comes amidst a crackdown by the Telangana government on illegal structures built on lakes and water bodies. The government has established a task force called HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection) to oversee the demolition of these structures. The N-Convention Centre, demolished alongside other illegal constructions, was allegedly built on encroached land belonging to the Tammidikunta lake. While the matter is pending in court, the government proceeded with the demolition, citing the lack of building permissions and the structure's location in the buffer zone of the lake. Nagarjuna, however, vehemently condemned the demolition, calling it unlawful and stating that he would have taken the necessary action himself if the court had ruled against him.
The demolition drive has drawn accusations of political vendetta from the opposition. Harish Rao, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has accused the Congress government of targeting opposition leaders to pressure them into joining their ranks. He highlighted the potential action against colleges owned by BRS leaders and questioned the selective approach towards demolitions, pointing out that structures owned by Congress leaders have not been targeted. The city's network of lakes, designed by renowned engineer Mokshagundam Vishvesvaraya, is crucial to Hyderabad's water supply, and the Telangana government's focus on protecting these water bodies has sparked a political debate regarding its approach and the motivations behind the actions taken.
The controversy surrounding the demolition highlights the complex interplay of environmental concerns, political maneuvering, and individual rights in a rapidly urbanizing city like Hyderabad. The government's stance emphasizes the importance of protecting public resources and adhering to legal regulations, while the opposition raises concerns about selective targeting and political motives. The ongoing legal battle and public discourse surrounding the demolition of Nagarjuna's convention center will likely continue to shape the political landscape in Telangana, showcasing the tension between development, environmental protection, and political expediency.
Source: Revanth Reddy Cites Lord Krishna, Backs Razing Actor Nagarjuna's Building