Vijayashanthi Slams BRS Over Protests on Telangana Talli Statue Redesign
Actor-politician Vijayashanthi on Monday criticized the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for opposing the redesign of the Telangana Talli (Mother Telangana) statue. She argued that the BRS lacks the moral right to protest, recalling her role in unveiling the first Telangana Talli statue in 2007 through her Talli Telangana Party.
Origin of Telangana Talli
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vijayashanthi stated that BS Ramulu originally designed Telangana Talli as the mother of the marginalized and underprivileged. She accused the then-TRS (now BRS) of failing to provide official recognition to the statue during its decade in power, despite unveiling their version at the TRS office.
“The Congress government, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has now given Telangana Talli official recognition, along with a defined policy,” she wrote, questioning the BRS’s protests.
BRS vs Congress Over Statue Redesign
The issue gained momentum after the Congress unveiled a modified version of the Telangana Talli statue at the Secretariat on December 9. While the Congress claims the new design reflects the true culture of Telangana, the BRS has labeled it “Congress Talli,” pointing to the inclusion of the Congress party’s hand symbol in the design.
The redesigned statue features Telangana Talli holding plants in her left hand and displaying the Abhaya Mudra (a gesture symbolizing protection) with her right hand. In contrast, the earlier version showed her holding Bathukamma (an arrangement of flowers) in one hand.
BRS MLC K. Kavitha has strongly opposed the changes, accusing the Congress of disrespecting Telangana’s heritage. She has been leading protests, including playing Bathukamma with women leaders and party workers.
Cultural vs Political Debate
Vijayashanthi emphasized that cultural traditions like Bonalu and Bathukamma transcend political affiliations and have been part of Telangana’s heritage for generations. She accused the BRS of politicizing the issue for its own interests, stating, “Our culture does not need political parties for its preservation.”
The Bigger Picture
The debate over the Telangana Talli statue reflects the deep cultural and political undercurrents in Telangana, as both major parties—Congress and BRS—vie to claim credit for upholding the state’s identity and traditions. The controversy also highlights the intersection of politics and cultural symbolism in shaping Telangana’s narrative.
