By IANS,
Hyderabad : Remarks made by some legislators in Andhra Pradesh assembly on the Nizam during the debate on Telangana bill led to an uproar Monday with MIM stating that it is proud of the ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad state.
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader in assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi termed Nizam as a good and able administrator, who set up many industries in Telangana.
“We are proud of Nizam and his rule,” he said while responding to certain remarks made by legislators of both ruling Congress and main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Owaisi wanted to know how the Nizam was responsible for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and dared Congress leaders from Seemandhra to come out against their own leadership for taking the decision.
“If you scratch the old wounds, they will bleed and hurt both the sides,” he said while referring to the events that led to Hyderabad State’s merger with the Indian Union in September 1948.
Describing the Nizam as a patriot, the MIM leader pointed out that Nizam donated 120 kg of gold for the army during India-China war in 1962.
The MIM leader pointed out that the assembly building where they were sitting and discussing Telangana bill was also built by the Nizam.
Later participating in the debate, Owaisi said the Nizam donated money and other valuables to various temples including Tirupati, Bhadrachalam and Yadgirigutta. He said it was the ruler who set up educational institutions in Hyderabad from 1854, built electricity and drinking water projects, railway station and airport.
TDP legislator D. Narendra criticized Owaisi for praising Nizam and pointed out that he suppressed people fighting for independence.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader E. Rajender also defended Nizam and pointed out that he set up many industries including Nizam Sugars, which was established in 1921. It was then Asia’s biggest sugar factory.
Earlier, MIM lawmakers rushed towards the speaker’s podium when TDP member P. Keshav made certain remarks against Nizam while speaking about the Telangana armed struggle against his tyrannical rule.
Opposing the demand for separate statehood to Telangana, Keshav accused TRS and other pro-Telangana groups of distorting history to justify the state’s division. He said Telangana armed struggle by the Communists was not against Andhra but was against landlords and the oppressive rule of the Nizam.