Date: January 27, 2025
Revanth Reddy Slams Centre Over Disparity in Padma Awards
Revanth Reddy Criticizes Discrimination in Padma Awards for Telangana
The announcement of the Padma Awards has sparked a heated debate, with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy accusing the Centre of showing discrimination against Telangana. He expressed disappointment that while five individuals from Andhra Pradesh were chosen for the prestigious awards, only two recipients were from Telangana.
Telangana’s Recommendations Ignored
The Telangana government had recommended several prominent names for the Padma Awards, including:
- Gaddar (folk singer and balladeer) for Padma Vibhushan,
- Chukka Ramaiah (educationist) and Andesri (poet) for Padma Bhushan,
- Goreti Venkanna (poet and singer) and Jayadheer Tirumala Rao (poet and historian) for Padma Shri.
However, none of these names were considered for the awards.
Instead, the Centre selected:
- Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy (Asian Institute of Gastroenterology) for Padma Vibhushan in medicine,
- Manda Krishna Madiga (public affairs) for Padma Shri.
Comparison with Andhra Pradesh
In contrast, Andhra Pradesh saw five recipients of the Padma Awards, including:
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (actor and MLA) for Padma Bhushan,
- K.L. Krishna and Vadiraj Raghavendracharya Panchamukhi (literature and education) for Padma Shri,
- Madugula Naga Phani Sarma and Miriyala Appa Rao (posthumous) for their contributions to art, both for Padma Shri.
This imbalance has further fueled criticism from Telangana’s leadership.
Revanth Reddy’s Response
Revanth Reddy expressed his dissatisfaction and vowed to write to the Centre regarding the apparent disparity. He pointed out that out of 139 Padma awardees, only two were from Telangana, which he called a glaring injustice.
The CM also highlighted how the Centre disregarded Telangana’s contributions and accused it of playing favoritism.
Disparity in Padma Awards Sparks Debate
The controversy surrounding the Padma Awards highlights the growing regional tensions between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While the Centre’s selection process remains under scrutiny, the call for fair representation in national honors is louder than ever.
This incident underscores the need for greater transparency in recognizing regional talent and contributions across India.