National Flag Is Above Politics, Says Telangana Minister Ponnam Prabhakar

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the national flag belongs to every citizen of the country and should not be turned into a tool for political propaganda. The minister, along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, paid tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial at Gun Park on Thursday on the occasion of Telangana Praja Palana Day. Later, in a series of posts on X, Prabhakar highlighted the significance of September 17 and questioned the BJP’s approach to the national flag and Telangana’s history.

Prabhakar said hoisting the Tricolour on September 17 was not an idea exclusive to the BJP, pointing out that the Telangana government had already conducted official flag-hoisting programmes at collectorates, government offices and schools across the state. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and ministers also participated in official programmes, while the Congress organised separate events to honour the national flag.

The minister alleged that the BJP’s claim that it alone was respecting the national flag was being used for political gains. He said September 17 was undoubtedly an important date in Telangana’s history as it marks the integration of the erstwhile Hyderabad State into the Indian Union. However, he argued that the historical event should not be appropriated by any single political party or ideology.

Referring to the region’s past, Prabhakar said the Congress and Communist parties had played important roles in Telangana’s struggles. He also pointed out that the BJP, in its present form, was not in existence at the time. He urged the Centre to present the history of the integration of princely states, including Hyderabad, Jammu and Kashmir and Junagadh, in a comprehensive manner.

Prabhakar questioned Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy over why the BJP-led Centre was not organising similar official programmes to commemorate the integration of other princely states. He sought equal attention to the histories of Junagadh and Jammu and Kashmir.

He also referred to the RSS’s past record concerning the national flag, claiming that the organisation’s Nagpur headquarters hoisted the Tricolour on January 26, 2002, after several decades.

Prabhakar accused the BJP of showing selective concern for Telangana, saying the state’s interests extend beyond September 17. He demanded that the Centre provide the state with its due funds, projects and development support.

He also sought recognition and pension support for Telangana armed struggle veterans and their families.

Prabhakar said the national flag symbolises unity and national pride and should not become a source of political or social division. He urged political parties to respect history, honour martyrs and keep the Tricolour above partisan politics.