An unknown person named Prithviraj, seemingly trying to gain media attention, started protesting the installation of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam’s statue at Ravindra Bharati.
It is almost comedic that he claims there are many stalwarts in Telangana who deserve such an honour but not SPB.
When asked to name such personalities, he mentioned Paidi Jairaj, Chindu Yellamma, Sukka Sattayya, Warangal Shankar, Sarangapani, Gaddar, Andesri, Anjayya, etc.
"This mindless person should understand that S. P. Balasubrahmanyam is a national legend, known across India, on par with Rabindranath Tagore, after whom Ravindra Bharati is named. With his songs, he touched the hearts of every Telugu person living in Telangana as well", said Rajesh Yadav, a Telanganaite.
Responding to Prithviraj’s comments, another native of Telangana Md Yakub said, "This fellow is playing to the galleries in the name of so-called Telangana sentiment. First of all, BRS, the main champion of Telangana, didn’t object. So who is this riffraff? If he really has guts, let him pressure the government to change the name of Ravindra Bharati to ‘Gaddar Bharati’ or ‘Andesri Bharati’.”
"It is true that the names he mentioned also deserve statues. But that does not mean SPB’s statue should not be installed", said Lakshmi Bai, a GHMC worker.
"Everyone today, across all age groups and from every state in India, knows who S. P. Balasubrahmanyam is, and the impact he created as a singer and entertainer far surpasses anyone this person mentioned. He should use some common sense", says an auto driver near Ravindra Bharati.
A worker within Ravindra Bharati said, "Why bring up Telangana vs Andhra again? We should uphold the identity of being Telugu people instead of criticizing and belittling ourselves."
"Using the media as an excuse to attack everyone is not right. Balasubrahmanyam is one of India’s greatest singers. He absolutely deserves this honour; he was never just a regional singer", wrote another under a YouTube comment.
Everyone is criticizing only Prithviraj. Many in their comments say, "A case should be filed against him for threatening Subhalekha Sudhakar and for creating regional tensions when the statehood issue has already been settled."
“This guy claims that SPB is a Telangana drohi because he supposedly objected to singing the Telangana anthem written by Andesri. Even if that were true, how could he have sung it when the state hadn’t even been formed yet? Singing such a song before the state was created could have led to a case for igniting regional conflicts. Even the great C. Narayana Reddy, the renowned Telangana poet, maintained dignity during the Telangana movement without taking sides. This Prithviraj looks like a brainless fellow who is stabbing his own eye and damaging the respect associated with Telangana’s spirit through his overreaction,” said an officer at Ravindra Bharati.
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