Telangana Congress Bans Wastage Of Milk, Water With Abhishekhams

Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has banned the practice of conducting 'palabhishekams' (milk abhishekams) and 'jalabhishekams' (water abhishekams) during all party programmes, stating that such practices are against the party's ideology as they result in the wastage of food items.

Instances of party activists pouring milk and water on the portraits of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, ministers and other senior leaders whenever the Congress government announces or launches any major welfare schemes or development programmes are on the rise at Gandhi Bhavan, the party's headquarters in Nampally, and also in districts.

However, fresh instructions were issued to contain such practices.

In a circular issued on Thursday to all Congress MPs, MLAs, MLCs, PCC frontal organisations, departments, cells and District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents, TPCC vice-president T. Kumar Rao said the decision was taken in accordance with the directions of AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan.

The circular stated that milk abhishekams and water abhishekams will not be performed under any circumstances at any Congress programme, irrespective of the occasion or venue. It directed all party functionaries to adhere strictly to the instructions.

The TPCC said such practices are completely contrary to the ideology and principles of the Congress as they involve the wastage of food items. It added that at a time when many people face malnutrition, food items should instead be distributed to the needy rather than being wasted during celebrations.

The party leadership has also prohibited the use of JCBs, bulldozers and other heavy machinery to place oversized garlands on senior leaders during public meetings and political programmes. The circular noted that such practices had been observed during the visits of senior party leaders and ministers across the state.

Describing JCBs, bulldozers and similar heavy machinery as 'symbols of oppression', the TPCC said their use for garlanding party leaders was strictly prohibited. It warned that any violation of the directive would invite disciplinary action against the concerned party functionaries.

The circular has been circulated to all Congress public representatives and organisational leaders across Telangana for immediate implementation.