Telangana Jagruthi founder-president Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who resigned from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in September following her suspension, on Saturday offered an apology to the martyrs of Telangana and their families for being neglected during the regime of her father, former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
“The very ideals and dreams for which they sacrificed their lives remain unfulfilled. Though 1,200 brave souls laid down their lives for Telangana, justice has reached only 580 families so far,” Kavitha said while paying tributes to the martyrs at Gun Park before starting her state-wide tour.
Kavitha said that the sacrifices of many martyrs had paved the way for the creation of Telangana.
“We must reflect on how far we have truly fulfilled the ideals for which they laid down their lives,” she added.
She recalled that during the previous regime, the government itself had admitted in the Assembly that 1,200 people were martyred for Telangana.
“However, the respect that should have been given to them and their families was never fully delivered,” she said.
Kavitha pointed out that although the government had promised â¹10 lakh and a government job to each martyr’s family, only 580 families have received support, leaving many others without justice.
She also acknowledged her own role, saying that while she wasn’t a minister during the BRS government’s 10-year rule, she served as an MP and MLC and had pushed for financial assistance to be provided to martyr families during internal party discussions.
“Still, I feel I could have fought even harder for you. So today, with folded hands, I sincerely apologize to the martyrs and their families. They sacrificed their lives so that the people of Telangana could live with dignity and prosperity. I pledge to continue my fight until every martyr’s family receives â¹1 crore in compensation,” she said.
Kavitha also demanded that the present Congress government immediately sanction â¹1 crore to each martyr’s family.
“And if this government fails to do so, I promise, before the feet of the martyrs, that I will ensure justice for them — even if it means changing the government itself,” she declared.