'Nizam was secular modern'

Express News Service
Last Updated : 19 Sep 2011 10:37:59 AM IST

HYDERABAD: In the backdrop of the renewed Telangana agitation, the focus is once again on Hyderabad and by extension, the Nizam rulers. Was he secular and modern in outlook? Debating on these questions were intellectuals, advocates and Telangana activists at a seminar on 'Makers of Modern Hyderabad' held here on Sunday.

Most of the speakers were of the view that the Nizam was secular. Advocate K Pratap Reddy said the concept of secularism was introduced into the Constitution only in 1972 and added that it was very much in vogue in Hyderabad state.

"Although headed by a Muslim monarch, the government was absolutely secular. The Nizams scrapped the death penalty way back in 1937," Pratap Reddy explained.

He further said that Hyderabad was a developed state before independence and was bigger than even Delhi in those days. Drawing a parallel with the current state of affairs in the country, the advocate said the Nizams did not give away land free of cost to industrialists and ruled as per the aspirations of the people.

He claimed that Telangana was never one with Andhra, as there were two unions for employees and people were psychologically separated.

Another advocate K Jithendera Babu recalled that when priests wanted the Nizam to perform Ganga puja to control the fury of the river Musi, he had obliged them.

"The Nizam respected the sentiments of the people," he added.

He said that the Nizam also gave importance to education and allocated `1.5 crore annually for the sector. He said Panagal tank was renovated at a cost of `10 lakh.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Deccan Archeological and Cultural Research Institute and the 1969 Telangana Movement Founders' Forum at the Madina Education Centre.