Telangana Thalli Statues Unveiled Amidst Political Debate

On December 9, 2024, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy unveiled statues of Telangana Thalli, which means 'Mother Telangana,' in all 33 district Collectorates across Telangana.

These statues were unveiled to mark the anniversary of the announcement for Telangana's formation in 2009 and to honor Sonia Gandhi's role in the state's creation.

The statues cost ₹5.8 crore to make and are 18 feet tall.

However, senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao criticized the statues, saying they are unauthentic and emotionless, and that the removal of Bathukamma from the statue's hand had robbed it of its spirit.

The BRS party celebrated 'Vijay Divas' at their party office in Adilabad, recalling the importance of December 9 in the Telangana agitation and creation of the state.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders and activists celebrated Sonia Gandhi's 79th birthday, cutting a cake and distributing fruits to patients at the RIMS, Adilabad.

The political debate surrounding the state's identity and the role of different parties in its formation was evident in the celebrations and criticisms.