Bandi Sanjay Blasts Govt Over Bonalu Fund Allocation
Sanjay expressed anger over the lack of basic facilities for lakhs of devotees standing in long queues under the scorching sun.
Hyderabad:Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay Kumar has sharply criticised the government over what he termed "discriminatory" funding for Bonalu festivals, questioning whether Hindus must "beg for funds" to celebrate their festivals while the state allocated more money for Ramzan.
After offering prayers at Secunderabad's Ujjaini Mahankali temple on Sunday to witness the Lashkar Bonalu celebrations, Sanjay expressed anger over the lack of basic facilities for lakhs of devotees standing in long queues under the scorching sun.
"The government has declared Bonalu a state festival but shows no intention to provide adequate funds," he told reporters after darshan. He said the government gave ₹33 crore for Ramzan and ₹20 crore for Bonalu which is celebrated in over 3,000 temples across the twin cities.
“Is this the treatment Hindu festivals receive under Congress rule," Sanjay asked and mentioned Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's purported statement, "Congress means Muslim, Muslim means Congress".
Sanjay urged the state government to allocate festival funds based on population proportion. "Hindus constitute 80 per cent of Telangana. Festival funds should reflect this reality," he said.
