Sitting BJP MP from Karimnagar and party’s national general secretary Bandi Sanjay Kumar urged Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to make the movie “Razakar” tax-free to ensure its reach to a wider audience.

“Razakar” is a controversial movie, known for its communally sensitive and violent content on the anarchy that had gripped the erstwhile state of Hyderabad when the Nizam refused to accede to India after the country gained independence in 1947. A private militia under Qasim Rizvi called Razakars, who had unleashed terror on the subjects, particularly the peasants in the interiors of Telangana for resisting them with the help of Communists.

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“Razakar”, considered to be a propaganda movie on the lines of Kashmir Files or The Kerala Story, has been produced by BJP leader Gudur Narayana Reddy. It was originally slated for release before the Assembly elections. Earlier during the tenure of the BRS government, it had been opposed by KT Rama Rao, then state industry minister. It has now been released to coincide with the Lok Sabha elections.

In a letter to the state chief minister, Sanjay proposed, “Razakar movie is a must-watch for every citizen of Telangana. I urge the Telangana government led by Hon’ble CM Shri Revanth Anumula Garu to endorse and facilitate the screening of the film Razakar by giving entertainment tax exemption.”

He went on to add, “Unlike the previous BRS regimes which created hurdles while in the making of the film, we hope the new government that calls for “change” will ensure that the movie is screened and history reaches a wider audience.”

Recently, the Centre has issued a notification declaring 17 September as Hyderabad Liberation Day to be officially celebrated every year. On 17 September 1948, the Nizam had agreed to accede to the Union of India after the Indian Army rolled in under Operation Polo. Other political parties celebrate the day as a merger day and the previous BRS government had anointed the day as Integration Day. During his recent visit to Telangana Prime Minister Modi had also referred to the terror unleashed by Razakars during that period.