In the midst of the controversy surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a significant visit to the Bhagyalakshmi Temple in Charminar, Hyderabad. This symbolic gesture, laden with both meaning and substance, comes as the BJP prepares to launch its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in the southern state.
It’s noteworthy that this visit coincides with the announcement from the Union Home Ministry, under Shah’s leadership, declaring September 17th as ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’.
Adding to the significance, Shah was accompanied by BJP leader Madhavi Latha, who is contesting against incumbent MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a vocal critic of the BJP government’s stance on the CAA. The Union Minister received a warm welcome from the temple priests.
During his visit, Shah engaged in discussions with local BJP leaders and members of the BJP IT cell. He urged them to leverage social media to create a strong presence for the party in the state, emphasizing the need to mobilize ‘IT warriors’ for the upcoming elections. Shah’s interactions took place at a private function hall before addressing grassroots leaders at L.B. Stadium.
Interestingly, this is Shah’s second visit to the temple in three months. In December, he emphasized the BJP’s commitment to ‘Hindutva’ and its vision to modernize Hyderabad, moving away from what he termed the ‘Nawab Nizam’ culture.
During his previous visit, Shah criticized both the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) for perpetuating ‘family politics’. The BJP often highlights ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ to resonate with the Hindu population in the city, which has a significant Muslim demographic.
The notification from the Union Home Ministry underscores the historical context, noting that Hyderabad remained under the rule of the Nizams for 13 months following India’s independence in 1947 until its liberation on September 17, 1948, through ‘Operation Polo’.
While the BJP’s move to field Madhavi Lata, known for her pro-Hindutva stance, against Owaisi signals its intent for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Hyderabad, the battle for the seat is expected to revolve around contrasting ideologies regarding issues such as triple talaq.