Congress in Telangana gave award to Razkar—a propaganda film that demonises Muslims

What did shock me and many others, however, was the Congress-run Telangana government giving Razakar an award at the inaugural Gaddar Telangana Film Awards, under the 'Environment/Heritage/History' category.
So when Razakar bagged the Best Cinematography and Best Debut Director awards at the 15th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2025—again, not surprising.
It hardly surprised anyone that the movie Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad was produced by Telangana BJP leader Gudur Narayan Reddy. After all, the propaganda film was intended to push the narrative that Muslims in the erstwhile state of Hyderabad attacked Hindus before its annexation into the Indian Union on 17 September 1948.
Balladeer Gaddar, a former Naxalite turned activist who fought for Telangana statehood, is a name long associated with the Left in the state. He was linked with everyone who was ideologically opposed to Hindutva and right-wing politics. So the Congress has left many puzzled by awarding a film produced by a BJP leader. What's even more striking is that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi—who called Chief Minister Revanth Reddy an 'RSS Anna'—has remained silent on the matter.
So why is this movie winning an award a problem? For starters, its portrayal of Muslims is a terrible caricature of the community in the state, and it distorts the facts of what happened in the days leading up to Hyderabad's annexation. I tried to watch the movie—but I had to walk out halfway because I simply couldn't take any more.
The false portrayals of everything were just too disturbing.
Also read: Revanth Reddy is battling a series of PR disasters in Telangana. Gachibowli to HYDRAA
What happened in 1948
One of the most ignored aspects of Hyderabad's history growing up was information about the annexation of the erstwhile Hyderabad state. Formed in 1724 as a Mughal vassal state by the Asaf Jahi Nizams, the last Nizam of Hyderabad was Mir Osman Ali Khan, who ruled from 1911 to 1948.
The state was one of the largest in India—around 82,698 square miles—including present-day Telangana, five districts of Maharashtra, and three of Karnataka (including Bidar and Gulbarga). It was relatively peaceful, thanks to a treaty with the British East India Company in 1798 and later with the British Crown, under which the Nizams enjoyed semi-autonomous rule.
But as independence approached, things changed. Osman Ali Khan—like a few other princely rulers—wanted to stay independent. That became a problem in 1947. But what is often missed is that, even before that, by 1946, peasants in Telangana had started mobilising under the banner of the Communist Party of India (CPI) against extreme feudal oppression.
Also read: Kharge on same page as BJP on Telangana's 'Liberation Day' row? 'Hyderabad got azaadi on 17 Sept 1948'
The Telangana Rebellion
'Vetti Chakiri'—or bonded labour—was the norm. Thousands of peasants and lower-caste people were forced to slave for Jagirdars (land revenue collectors) who controlled around 60 per cent of the state. Many of these landlords were from dominant Hindu castes. Muslims made up about 10 per cent of the state's population.
The Telangana Armed Struggle, a peasant uprising, began in 1946, a year before independence, and lasted until 21 October 1951, when the CPI officially called it off. Hyderabad was annexed on 17 September 1948, when the Indian government under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent in the Army after negotiations failed. The military action was also partly driven by fears that the CPI might take control of Telangana (a fact documented in historical records).
One major trigger was the rise of the Razakars in 1947—a paramilitary group led by Qasim Razvi, then head of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). A fanatic, Razvi used the group to terrorise opponents of the Nizam's rule and to attack Hindus.
Also read: Modi govt's Hyderabad 'Liberation' Day reopens old wounds. KCR's 'Integration' wiser approach
Razakar's propaganda
What the Razakars did was horrendous, and many families in Telangana still remember being attacked. That is a fact. But it is also a fact that many Muslims, both inside and outside the government, opposed the Razakars and supported a peaceful transition. Some, like the noted Urdu poet and revolutionary CPI leader Makhdoom Mohiuddin, actively fought the feudal system as part of the Communist-led resistance.
The movie Razakar, however, entirely omits this part—especially the CPI-led Telangana armed struggle. Its entire focus is on the Razakar group, which it exploits to paint Muslims in a negative light. This one-sided narrative is partly the result of earlier governments suppressing historical truths, creating a vacuum that others now fill with propaganda.
And that's the point. Since Telangana's formation, the BJP has been demanding official recognition of 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'—a phrase meant to imply the state was 'liberated' from Muslim rule. But Osman Ali Khan, after 1948, continued to serve as Rajpramukh (Governor) for a few years, and lived peacefully until his death in 1967.
The film essentially claims that Hindus were oppressed and killed by Muslims during the annexation. But it entirely leaves out the brutal, caste-based feudal slavery that Dalits and other oppressed classes suffered at the hands of dominant-caste Jagirdars.
Even some Congress leaders in the state were caught off guard by the award. 'They've been blaming our party—blaming Nehru—for the delay in Hyderabad's annexation. So by giving this movie an award, what message are we sending out?' a senior Muslim Congress leader told me.
No one else seems to have an answer either. But the BJP seems to be quietly smiling in a corner.
Unfortunately, instead of confronting history with facts and nuance, we now have a film that distorts the truth and sows seeds of communalism in Telangana.
Yunus Lasania is a Hyderabad-based journalist whose work primarily focuses on politics, history and culture. He tweets @YunusLasania. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

24 minutes ago

• Time of India

Trump's strike on Iran raises strategic, political risks ahead of retaliation

Trump's strike on Iran raises strategic, political risks ahead of retaliation Two days after offering Iran a two-week deadline to avoid military action, US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The attack, carried out Saturday evening, June 21, marked a sharp escalation in tensions and introduced new uncertainties regarding military outcomes and domestic political fallout. 'Two weeks' turned out to be two days. On Thursday, Trump presented Iran with a negotiation window to avert a strike. By Saturday, he declared the strikes 'very successful' in a social media post, adding, 'Now is the time for peace.' Also read: In his own words: Trump's Iran strike tests his rhetoric on ending wars by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo It remains unclear whether the original deadline was a tactical feint or if negotiations, reportedly led by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, collapsed behind the scenes. Trump's message of seeking peace contrasts with the risks of retaliation from Iran , which had previously warned against US involvement in the conflict initiated by Israel. Iran retaliation expected as strike objectives unclear Live Events Among the sites struck was the Fordow nuclear facility, considered a critical component of Iran's uranium enrichment infrastructure. Analysts note that Iran maintains a range of retaliatory capabilities and that the airstrikes may not have neutralized its nuclear operations. Iran's response to direct US involvement is now the central question. The US airstrikes followed weeks of Israeli operations aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities. However, Tehran retains substantial resources and has warned that further escalation could prompt regional consequences. Trump's strategy appears to involve pressuring Iran into negotiations. However, analysts question whether military action will succeed where diplomacy during Israeli strikes did not. 'Now is the time for peace,' Trump wrote, but Iran's previous refusal to engage under fire suggests continued resistance, not compliance. Also read: Trump wins immediate praise from Republicans in Congress after announcing strikes on Iran It will take time to determine whether the strikes inflicted lasting damage on Iran's fortified nuclear facilities. If they failed to achieve their core objectives, calls for additional US military action may increase, placing greater pressure on the administration and military planners. Domestic backlash grows over US military escalation Saturday's strikes also carry significant domestic political implications. Critics from both major parties have questioned the strategic necessity of the operation. Within Trump's own 'America First' political movement, concerns are growing over US involvement in another potential Middle East conflict. If the operation is limited to a one-off strike, Trump may contain the political fallout. However, any move toward sustained engagement risks alienating voters who supported his non-interventionist stance during the 2024 campaign. Trump frequently highlighted that he initiated no new wars during his first term and criticized prior administrations for foreign entanglements. Having taken decisive military action, the president now faces a situation where subsequent developments may fall outside his control.

Hans India

33 minutes ago

• Hans India

Minister writes to CM on apathy over illegal mining cases

Bengaluru/Raichur: Law Minister H K Patil on Saturday said he had written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressing concerns over administration apathy towards taking illegal mining cases in the state to a logical end. He also wanted the culprits to be punished, and the lost wealth recovered. The senior minister, who is also in-charge of Parliamentary Affairs, has written a seven-page letter dated June 18, pointing out that only 7.6 per cent of all the cases related to illegal mining that allegedly took place between 2007 and 2011 leading to the loss of an estimated Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the government, have been investigated so far. In the letter he noted that there is outrage among people that the government has not shown honesty and commitment in its efforts towards ensuring commensurate punishments and recovery of the state's wealth, despite such a large-scale loot. He also reminded Siddaramaiah that he had led a 320-km foot march to Ballari against the illegal mining scam in 2010, when the Congress was in opposition. Patil had headed the Cabinet sub-committee, during the first Siddaramaiah-led Congress government (2013-18), which had brought the extent of loss caused by illegal mining. In Raichur, replying to questions by reporters regarding the letter, Patil said, '...I have brought it to the notice of the chief minister what has to be done, thereby it has to serve the state and the government has to get a good name, so the letter has been written. It is not a political letter. It is written in the interest of the state and its people. The CM has seen the letter and has taken the matter seriously.' Asked whether he is suspicious that documents on illegalities may be destroyed, he said with the intention that such things should not happen. He has cautioned the administration and the concerned department. Noting that the Congress party has done a padayatre (foot march) against illegal mining fifteen years ago, the minister said, despite so many years and inspite of cabinet sub-committee under 2013-18 Siddaramaiah-led Congress government submitting a report about the quantum of loss, the action taken is not satisfactory. 'Out of more than 12,000 illegal mining cases being registered, only about 7 per cent have been investigated. In just 2 per cent of these seven per cent, which means in only 0.2 per cent of the total number of cases, verdicts have come and cases have seen a conclusion,' he said. Asserting that a logical end has to be given to all these pending cases, Patil said the government lost Rs 1.5 lakh crore because of illegal mining, and with the intention that serious steps are taken in this regard, he has written a letter to the CM. He said nine cases were handed over for the CBI probe. They said they will probe only three among them and sent back the remaining six. Similarly, the cases that were referred to the Special investigation Team (SIT), most of them have still not been subjected to probe. 'So I have written the letter.' Patil, in his letter, has said that the government can still act as there is still time. Asking the government to take all the necessary measures, he suggested appointing a Recovery Commissioner as per the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1946. He has also sought the creation of a new SIT to take up investigation of cases that have not been probed, and setting up a special court to try these cases.

Hindustan Times

36 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

UP BJP highlights social engineering at Ambedkar Smriti Sthal

The Bharatiya Janata Party utilised the occasion of the International Yoga Day on Saturday to take forward its social engineering initiative, roping in its scheduled caste and Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Smriti Sthal in Gomti Nagar. Neeraj, Dharampal and Brijlal (HT Photo) Most of the 5000 participants belonged to the SC and OBC communities at the venue where all BJP leaders wore T-shirts with Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's photo. People from Lucknow slums and nearby areas also participated in hour-long yoga sessions under the guidance of yoga instructor Malvika Bajpai. A large number of people, including youth, social organisations, women and differently abled children also took part in the event. BJP's state general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh was the chief guest while party leader Neeraj Singh coordinated the programme. Dharampal Singh is also spearheading the party's OBC outreach programme across the state. Addressing a gathering after the session, Dharampal Singh stated that today, yoga has become a moral and ideological tool in the direction of equality and social justice that Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar had envisioned. Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the International Yoga Day is being organized in more than 171 countries today, he added. 'Yoga is not only a physical exercise, but also a medium of social balance and mental harmony. Yoga also strengthens the unity of the country and the feeling of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' Dharampal Singh added. Neeraj Singh stated that Dr Ambedkar struggled throughout his life to eliminate social inequality and to provide social justice to Dalits, the deprived and backward classes. Assimilating the ideals of Ambedkar, a yoga programme has been organised here today with the message of 'Ek Bharat Samras Bharat', Neeraj Singh added. An exhibition was also organised where Dr Ambedkar's life and vision was highlighted through posters. Prominent BJP leaders present at the event included two former DGPs Brij Lal and Vijay Kumar, Ambedkar Mahasabha chairman and MLC Lalji Nirmal, MLA Mukesh Sharma, state president of the SC Morcha Ramchandra Kanaujia, state vice-president of the SC Morcha Devesh Kori and former IAS officer Dinesh Chandra. Others present on the occasion included Harish Kumar, Pankaj Prasun Jatav, AK Gautam, Gangaram Ambedkar, Ram Avtar Kanaujia, Vipin Sonkar and a large number of people from the Scheduled Caste community.