In a significant escalation of a political row, Telangana's Minister for Cinematography, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, issued a stern warning to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday. The minister demanded a public apology for Kalyan's controversial statement suggesting Telangana had cast an "evil eye" on the Konaseema region, hinting at a potential ban on the screening of Kalyan's films in Telangana if he fails to comply.
Political Firestorm Over 'Evil Eye' Comment
The controversy erupted after Pawan Kalyan, the leader of the Jana Sena Party and now deputy CM, recently claimed that Telangana's supposed 'evil eye' had adversely affected the development of the Konaseema area in Andhra Pradesh. This remark triggered immediate and widespread condemnation from political leaders across the Telangana spectrum.
The backlash was unified and swift. Leaders including BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy, and BRS legislator G Jagadish Reddy all joined the chorus demanding an apology from the actor-politician. They found the comment deeply offensive to the sentiments of the people of Telangana.
Minister's Ultimatum: Apologise or Face Consequences
Addressing reporters at Gandhi Bhavan, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy presented a clear ultimatum. He stated that if Pawan Kalyan offers an apology, his films might be allowed to run for a few days in Telangana. However, failure to apologise could lead to his movies not being screened in the state at all. "I am saying this as the cinematography minister," Komatireddy emphasised, underlining the official weight of his warning.
He described Kalyan's remarks as utterly unacceptable and hurtful, especially coming more than a decade after the formation of the Telangana state. The minister contextualised the outrage by recounting the historical struggles of the region.
"Telangana endured six decades of immense hardship," Komatireddy said, listing issues like fluorosis, acute water scarcity, systematic diversion of funds to the Andhra region, and a severe loss of employment opportunities. He pointed out that cities like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam were developed with resources generated from Hyderabad, which was part of the undivided state.
A Call for Respect and Dignity
While acknowledging that Pawan Kalyan is relatively new to politics and may have entered public life with good intentions, Komatireddy firmly stated that statements belittling Telangana and its people are beyond the pale. He drew a contrast with Kalyan's family, noting, "Film actor, his brother Chiranjeevi never made such controversial remarks."
The minister's strong stance highlights the lingering sensitivities and the demand for respect between the two neighbouring states. The controversy has moved beyond mere political sparring, touching upon regional pride and historical grievances. The ball is now in Pawan Kalyan's court, with the Telangana government making it clear that his cinematic career within the state could be collateral damage if the apology is not forthcoming.
This incident underscores how historical narratives and regional identity continue to play a potent role in the contemporary politics of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where offhand comments can quickly snowball into major diplomatic spats between state governments.
