Sun Feb 02 20:17:48 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Spars with Centre Over Padma Awards Snub

**Hyderabad, February 3, 2025** – A political storm is brewing in Telangana over the Centre’s rejection of the state government’s Padma award nominations, sparking accusations of discrimination and highlighting the complex legacy of revolutionary balladeer Gaddar.

The Telangana government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, recommended five individuals for Padma awards, including Gaddar (Gummadi Vithal Rao), a renowned folk singer and Maoist sympathiser. None received an award, prompting outrage from the CM who labeled it an insult to the state’s population.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay, criticized the state’s nomination of Gaddar, stating that honouring someone with alleged links to Naxalism would be a betrayal of those killed in Naxal violence. This ignited a fierce backlash from the Telangana government, which defended Gaddar’s contributions to the state’s cultural heritage and its struggle for statehood.

The controversy is further complicated by Prime Minister Modi’s previous tributes to Gaddar, praising his work representing the disadvantaged and his contribution to Telangana’s progress. This inconsistency has divided the BJP, with some supporting Sanjay’s stance, while others criticize the perceived undermining of Gaddar’s legacy and the implication of political favouritism in the award selection process.

The Telangana government alleges a pattern of discrimination, noting that despite producing a Bharat Ratna recipient and several other Padma awardees since 2014, the state received only two awards this year. They claim the Centre’s decisions are politically motivated, suggesting that the nominations were an attempt by the Reddy government to appeal to Bharat Rashtra Samiti supporters. Gaddar’s daughter, a former Congress candidate, further fuels this perception.

While the Centre’s concerns regarding Gaddar’s past are understandable, Sanjay’s comments have fueled the controversy and provided ammunition for the Telangana government. The incident highlights a deeper conflict over recognition of historical figures and the political implications of national awards.

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