Bathukamma turns into a controversy

Karimnagar: The floral festival Bathukamma has taken political colour with the leaders of various political parties making comments each other.

The most beloved fete of women folk of Telangana, Batukamma, which had also played a pivotal role in bringing all sections of the society on to a single platform during the time of Telangana agitation, has now became a centre point for controversies. It has also widened the gap between various sections.

While Telangana Jagruthi president and Nizamabad MP K Kavitha has been playing Batukamma on behalf of Jagruthi across the State, with a slogan to achieve golden Telangana,

the members of the Joint Action Committee of Telangana women cultural organisations also playing Bathukamma, demanding a violence-free State.

On the other hand, ASHA workers, who have been agitating for the past 49 days for their demands, were celebrating the festival by wearing black sares to express their protest.

Bathukamma has divided the Telangana women folk. Alleged sanctioning of funds for Bangaru Bathukamma being celebrated by Telangana Jagruthi has further worsened the situation.

Leaders of all most all opposition parties blamed Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for allocating Rs 10 crore for his daughter’s Bangaru Bathukamma programme.

Terming the opposition remarks as baseless, Kavitha made it clear that Bathukamma celebrated by Jagruthi does not have any connection with the State government.

She made this comment while participating in Bathukamma fete in Koudipalli of Medak district on Thursday.

Speaking to Tthe Hans India, Telangana Mahila Congress state president Nerella Sarada questioned that why the government officials like Collectors, RDO, Tahsildar and others were making arrangements for Bangaru Bathukamma if Jagruthi does not have any relation with the government.

Where was the need to celebrate Bathukamma in such a grand manner while the farmers were committing suicides every day, she also questioned.

Instead of sanctioning Rs 10 crore for Bathukamma festival, the government could have been allocated the same amount to agricultural sector to prevent farmer suicides.

Women activist and Principal of Arts College, Satavahana University Dr Surepalli Sujatha said that Bathukamma was used as a model to unite the people during the time of Telangana agitation but now it has been utilised by the political leaders for their political ends.

Commenting on Kavitha’s statement that festival got importance only because of Jagruthi, Sujatha said Bathukamma has given political life for Kavitha but the latter did not do anything for festival.

The Nizamabad MP should give clarity whether she is a politician or owner of an NGO organisation, she advised.