Latest news with #OperationPolo
The Print
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
11 years after state formation, where's Telangana's history? Govt must fix information gap
Everything I know about my city and state, I learned on my own when I decided to get acquainted with Hyderabad's history. Luckily, after Telangana's formation, history books were revised by the then Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. Kids were taught absolutely nothing about Telangana, or about the founders of Hyderabad (Golconda dynasty, 1518-1687), or the later Nizams of our city. That was the extent to which rulers in the joint state of Andhra Pradesh went to erase our history from textbooks. The cultural domination of the Andhra region pushed people of Telangana to demand a separate state, which was eventually formed on 2 June 2014. As a Hyderabadi, I never learned about my own region—Telangana before it became a state—in school. We were only taught about Andhra Pradesh and the Indian independence movement. This was the reality of generations who grew up in Hyderabad and Telangana. However, one aspect of the state, which is crucial to understanding modern Telangana, was left untouched on purpose—perhaps to avoid stirring the hornet's nest. That is the peasant rebellion, called the Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-51), and the Indian Army's annexation of Hyderabad on September 17, 1948. Operation Polo was the military action through which the Hyderabad state (1724-1948) was annexed after its last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan (1911-48), decided to stay independent when the British left India in 1947. The contested bit of history had been buried by the Congress government at the Centre, largely due to its bloody aftermath—it resulted in the death of at least 26,000 to 4,000 Muslims, according to the Pandit Sunderlal Committee report. BJP, Razakars & Hyderabad Day Post the formation of Telangana, there wasn't much clamour about it. However, after the BRS came to power for a second time post 2018, there has been a renewed push by the BJP to observe the annexation date as 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'—a phrase coined to indirectly say that Telangana was freed from the Nizams. The BRS ignored it for a while, but it was forced to address the issue. It marked the day as 'National Integration Day' to skirt the BJP's narrative. Added to all of this was BJP leader Gudur Narayana Reddy's movie Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad, which also paints Muslims in a negative light. The movie is about the Muslim militia Razakar, formed in 1947 by then Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Qasim Razvi, who let his men loose on the populace, especially on Hindus. However, the movie ignores the Communist Party of India (CPI)-led peasant rebellion, and has incorporated characters such as Chakali Ilamma without attributing her support from the Left party. Moreover, neither the textbooks nor the movie address the biggest issue that existed then—the feudal system, which was the bane of society and led to bonded labour under the Jagirdars, the state revenue collectors under the Nizams. Also read: Congress in Telangana gave award to Razakar—a propaganda film that demonises Muslims Fix the information gap The then BRS government had a great opportunity to correct these omissions in our history textbooks. Had it done so, maybe we would not have a population unsure of where to even begin when trying to learn about itself. It is a fact that information about Hyderabad's history in the public domain is sparse. One has to dig deep or visit public libraries that are not exactly well-maintained. Now that people from Andhra don't dominate our narrative and culture anymore, we must reconsider what we mention in our history books and not make the mistake of hiding the truth from the people. It is not just about informing, but giving perspective and understanding of our histories in school is also important for the formative years of children. It allows us to counter hate and hateful narratives. The only way to do this is by honestly putting out information. Yet, the state government, which has been trying to reshape Telangana's image with a Congress stamp, oddly chose to give the Razakar movie three Gaddar Awards—an honour it recently decided to institute in 2025. This speaks volumes about the state government's priorities. If it does not correct this wrong, then generations of children in Telangana will once again grow up learning either nothing, or information that will be full of half-truths. Yunus Lasania is a Hyderabad-based journalist whose work primarily focuses on politics, history and culture. He tweets @YunusLasania. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Watch: Author Daneesh Majid on Hyderabad's rich, layered history
Hyderabad's rich, layered history has long captivated writers and scholars. But with Telangana marking its 11th anniversary on June 2, there is a renewed interest around the State and its capital city, which has been shaped by dynasties, cultural syncretism and centuries of transformation. Tapping into this growing interest, author Daneesh Majid's new book, The Hyderabadis: From 1947 to the Present Day, paints a nuanced portrait of the city, weaving together micro-narratives of its people. Majid profiles families displaced by Operation Polo and its bloody aftermath, chronicling lives that were once comfortable but later upended, at times by the very hands that had once served them. The book presents diverse perspectives: from those who opposed the Razakars, to the story of a Hindu woman, heartbroken that her Hyderabad had fallen. Read the article here Credits Presentation: Syed Mohammed Edit: Zeeshan Akhtar
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Time of India
Hyderabad airport receives hoax bomb threat; conduct anti-sabotage checks, email linked to ‘Operation Polo'
Hyderabad's airport and Begumpet airport underwent thorough anti-sabotage checks by bomb disposal squads HYDERABAD: Bomb disposal squads conducted anti-sabotage checks at Hyderabad airport and Begumpet airport on Wednesday after receiving an email warning about IEDs allegedly planted at an airport in city. Following a thorough checks at both locations, the email was declared hoax. At 6:39 am, GMR airport's customer-support mailbox received an email from an individual identifying as Andimithu Rasa. The email, with references to 'Operation Polo' and the recent arrest of political commentator Savukku Shankar by Tamil Nadu police, claimed that four bombs were planted aboard a flight and another 4 inside RGIA terminal building.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hyderabad in fragments: a city's story told in micro-histories
Hyderabad's rich, layered history has long captivated writers and scholars. But with Telangana marking its 11th anniversary on June 2, there is a renewed interest around the State and its capital city, which has been shaped by dynasties, cultural syncretism and centuries of transformation. Tapping into this growing interest, author Daneesh Majid's new book, The Hyderabadis: From 1947 to the Present Day, paints a nuanced portrait of the city, weaving together micro-narratives of its people. Majid profiles families displaced by Operation Polo and its bloody aftermath, chronicling lives that were once comfortable but later upended, at times by the very hands that had once served them. The book presents diverse perspectives: from those who opposed the Razakars, to the story of a Hindu woman, heartbroken that her Hyderabad had fallen. Majid also turns his gaze outside India, tracing the lives of expatriates who spent several decades in West Asian countries, which became their second home. Upon returning, they had to rebuild their lives in a city that was rapidly changing. Through these different stories, he captures different lived experiences. He also seeks to reconcile the often divergent narratives many of which continue to carry political overtones. 'There was a lot of literature on the Partition which was evocative, but I found that the stories of Hyderabadis weren't many,' Majid says. 'Micro-history, which is about asking the big questions in smaller places, outside the corridors of power, these narratives are sometimes contrary to — let's say — mainstream histories. There is some truth in both narratives. And this is why micro-histories are important: they offer nuanced perspectives.' In the chapter 'From Jagirdar to Jamaati', Majid records the story of Omar Farooq Quadri, a student whose family fled Bamini in Marathwada on account of Operation Polo. They first sought refuge in rural Telangana and later moved to Hyderabad. A change in the family's fortunes turned them from landlords to paupers, even as a family member became a dervish. While 'Qadri' indicates either Sufi lineage or affiliation, the family had to change course spiritually. 'The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind played a crucial role in rehabilitating them socio-economically in Hyderabad. Omar is now a student leader at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. What struck me was that he is one of the few students from Hyderabad in place where one finds people largely from Kashmir, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,' Majid notes. Through the story of Narayan Raj Saxena, the great-grandson of Bansi Raja, a close aide of sixth Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, Majid illustrates how the Kayasth community has been an inalienable part of Hyderabad's history. 'He witnessed the tumultuous period of 1948. He saw Hyderabad change with his own eyes. There are few now who are well enough to remember,' says Majid. 'The Kayasthas were skilled administrators in the Nizam's government and were great with languages. They knew Persian, and when the official language changed to Urdu in the 1880s, they mastered that too.' Post-1948, some Muslim families moved to Pakistan. Ali Adil Khan, one of Majid's subjects, was born in Hyderabad in the 1960s during one of his parents' visits to the city from Pakistan. His father, Mohammed Anwar Ali, had left for Karachi on August 14, 1950. In 1948, when his grandfather Ishaq Ali was posted in Bidar, Operation Polo was launched. While Ishaq Ali was in Hyderabad, his family was still in Bidar. It was a Hindu neighbour who arranged for their safe passage to Hyderabad. However, Majid deliberately steers clear of discussing mainstream politics. For instance, the complex history of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, now led by the Owaisi brothers, is largely missing. While he does mention Abid Ali Khan, the influential Hyderabadi journalist, who co-founded Siasat Daily, the tussle between the heads — past and present — of these two power centres of Muslim politics does not find a place in the narrative.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"Feel happy, delighted," says film producer Gudur Narayana Reddy as Telangana government announced three Gaddar Awards for 'Razakar'
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 29 (ANI): 'Razakar' film producer Gudur Narayana Reddy expressed happiness after the Telangana state government announced three Gaddar Awards for his film. Speaking to ANI, Gudur Narayana Reddy said, 'I feel happy and delighted, because this movie Razakar has won three awards from the state, one for the Best Historical film, the other for the best music director, and the third one is the best Makeup man. I'm really happy with my first debut movie. If I could earn this, it would be a real encouragement, and I thank and appreciate for getting this encouragement from the state government.' 'Razakar' is a Telugu historical action drama film written and directed by Yata Satyanarayana. It is based on the events leading up to Operation Polo in the former Princely State of Hyderabad. In September 1948, Hyderabad was annexed by India through a military operation code-named Operation Polo, which was dubbed a 'police action'. As per the press release, the film provides a gripping narrative of the genocide undertaken by the Razakars, a paramilitary group loyal to the Nizam of Hyderabad, which committed mass murders and spread terror among the populace. This dark chapter prompted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Home Minister, to initiate swift actions that culminated in the historic Operation Polo, leading to Hyderabad's annexation into the Indian Union. 'Razakar' also explores the political manoeuvres of Hyderabad's last Nizam, Osman Ali Khan, and his attempts to maintain independence, providing a comprehensive view of a pivotal moment in Indian history. The film stars 'Jigarthanda' actor Bobby Simha, 'Swades' fame Makarand Deshpande, Raj Arjun, and Vedika in pivotal roles. (ANI)
