Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Liberation Day: freedom fighter bemoans controversy

Special Correspondent

Accuses Government of not taking steps to resolve it

SHARING HIS EXPERIENCE: Freedom fighter Sardar Sharanagouda Patil Inamdar addressing a gathering in Gulbarga on Tuesday.

GULBARGA: Freedom fighter Sardar Sharanagouda Patil Inamdar on Tuesday criticised the State Government for not taking steps to resolve the controversy over the date on which the liberation of Hyderabad from the Nizam's rule took place.

Inaugurating a six-day cultural festival organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat to mark Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day, Mr. Inamdar, who played an important role in resisting the forces of the Nizam and marched along with the Indian Army from Solapur to liberate Hyderabad, said it is unfortunate that an unnecessary controversy has been created over the date of the Liberation Day.

While one section celebrates Liberation Day on September 17, another section celebrates it the next day. However, the surprising part is that freedom fighters such as himself, who took part in the liberation struggle, and eyewitnesses are not being consulted to find a permanent solution to the controversy, he said.

Mr. Inamdar said the then Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, who had decided to celebrate Liberation Day as a government function on September 17, had called him to Bangalore to find a solution to the controversy. "I told him that the Nizam signed the surrender papers on the night of September 17, and the National Flag was hoisted in Hyderabad on September 18."

He said that as the National Flag was hoisted only on September 18, it is considered as Liberation Day. "I even suggested to Mr. Krishna to send a senior official or authorise him to visit Hyderabad to get details of when the liberation took place."

However, he said the suggestions were not taken into account and the State Government has continued to celebrate Liberation Day on September 17, keeping alive the controversy.

Zilla Sahitya Parishat president Veerabhadra Simpi made the introductory remarks and secretary K.V. Desai welcomed the gathering.

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