KARIMNAGAR, MARCH 16, 2025: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has strongly condemned the resolution passed in the Telangan state assembly to remove the name of Potti Sriramulu from the Telugu University and rename it as Suravaram Prathap Reddy.
Praising Potti Sriramulu as a great patriot, Gandhian, and freedom fighter, revered by the Arya Vaishya community, he questioned the necessity of changing such a great leader’s name. “We respect Suravaram Pratap Reddy. He contributed to the development of the Telugu language. We have no objection if his name is given to government programmes promoting the Telugu language. But removing Potti Sriramulu’s name is an insult,” he said.
On Sunday, the Union Minister participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of Potti Sriramulu in Karimnagar. He paid floral tributes to the statue of Potti Sriramulu and served food to the people, organised by the Arya Vysya Community. Later, the Arya Vysya Community leaders submitted a petition opposing the renaming of Telugu University.
Opposing the state government decision to rename Potti Sriramulu Telugu University after Suvararam Prathap Reddy, the Union Minister alleged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of changing the name due to caste favoritism, following a proposal from CPI leaders. They expressed their anguish, stating that this decision hurt the sentiments of patriots, freedom fighters, and the Arya Vaishya community. They urged immediate intervention to prevent the resolution’s approval by the Governor.
Mr Sanjay “Potti Sriramulu was not just a martyr who sacrificed his life for the formation of Andhra Pradesh State. He was a great patriot and freedom fighter who gave up a lucrative job and wealth for the country. He was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi, participated in the 1930 Salt Satyagraha, and was imprisoned three times during the Quit India Movement. He worked to promote the spinning wheel (charkha) and fought for the upliftment of Harijans. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘If I had ten people like Potti Sriramulu, India would have gained independence much earlier.’ That shows his greatness. Why should such a legendary figure’s name be removed and insulted?”
He accused the Congress party of having a history of insulting great leaders. “In the past, they repeatedly humiliated Dr BR Ambedkar. They even tried to brand Potti Sriramulu as a madman for undertaking a hunger strike for a separate state,” he alleged.
He further questioned, “The Congress government removed Potti Sriramulu’s name citing his Andhra roots. Do they have the courage to remove NTR’s name from NTR Park? Will they remove the names of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy and Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy from the parks? Will they rename Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Stadium? There are many statues of Andhra leaders on Tank Bund—will they remove those as well?”
Bandi Sanjay demanded that the Congress government correct its mistake and restore Potti Sriramulu’s name to Telugu University. He also urged the CM to apologise to the Arya Vaishya community and all patriots.
