Hyderabad: Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, voiced his concerns about the challenges faced by Hindus in the state. During the Bonalu festival at Lal Darwaja, he questioned why they must struggle every year for their temples and festivals despite contributing to the government’s funds.
He promised that if the Telangana BJP gains power, they will ensure funding for Bonalu and all Hindu festivals, eliminating the need to ask for help. This would allow Hindus to celebrate with pride.
Bandi Sanjay urged residents of the Old City, displaced by violence and terrorism, to return home. He assured them of safety, standing as a witness to Simha Vaahini Amma and Bhagya Lakshmi. He encouraged unity among Hindus to show their strength as a community.
During the Old City Bonalu festival, Bandi Sanjay visited several temples and took part in the celebrations. He started at the Moosarambagh Pochamma Bonalu in the morning and continued to places like Akbar Bagh, Saidabad, Kurmaguda, Madannapet, Rakshapuram, Goulipura, and Akkannamadanna Haribowli. He concluded at the Bhagyalakshmi Ammavari temple, addressing a large crowd at Lal Darwaja Simhawahi.
He shared the history of the Bonalu tradition, tracing it back 250 years to a time when people prayed during a plague, promising to build a temple if relieved. The prayers were answered, leading to the construction of the Mahankali temple in Secunderabad. In 1908, after floods caused by the Musi River, prayers to the goddess again aided the people, solidifying the tradition at Lal Darwaja.
Sanjay Kumar emphasized that the festival honors all goddesses, including Bhagya Lakshmi, believed to protect Bhagyanagara. The Bonalu festival is celebrated nationwide, sustaining cultural heritage. Despite changes over time, the festival continues uninterrupted, with offerings to the goddesses as part of their tradition. He committed to preserving Hindu customs and working for the protection of Hindu Dharma throughout his life.
He credited their well-being to the blessings of Goddess Simha Vahini and Goddess Bhagya Lakshmi. He reflected on completing the Praja Sangrama Yatra with their support, promoting Hinduism across Telangana.
