Mamunur airport should be named after Telangana freedom fighter, says Raja Singh

HYDERABAD: Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to name the proposed Mamunur Airport near Warangal after a Telangana freedom fighter or martyr rather than a contemporary political leader. In a letter to the chief minister dated September 23, Singh said Warangal had a history of resistance, sacrifice and public [...] <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>HYDERABAD:</strong> Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh has urged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to name the proposed Mamunur Airport near Warangal after a Telangana freedom fighter or martyr rather than a contemporary political leader.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">In a letter to the chief minister dated September 23, Singh said Warangal had a history of resistance, sacrifice and public movements associated with the struggle against the Nizam's rule and the Telangana liberation movement.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">He said the airport should carry the name of a person representing the historical legacy of Telangana.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Singh listed Doddi Komaraiah, Chityala Ilamma, Kaloji Narayana Rao and Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu as possible names for consideration.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Komaraiah, who was from Kadavendi in the Warangal region, was an early martyr of the Telangana peasant struggle, Singh said. The Telangana government has also described Komaraiah as a hero of the armed struggle.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Singh said Chityala Ilamma, popularly known as Chakali Ilamma, was born in Krishnapuram in the erstwhile Warangal district and played a role in the Telangana rebellion against feudal oppression and the Nizam government. The Ministry of Culture records her participation in the Telangana rebellion and her activities against the Nizam administration.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">He also cited Kaloji Narayana Rao, describing him as a poet, freedom fighter and social reformer associated with the Warangal region. Government records describe Kaloji's participation in the Hyderabad State freedom movement and note that he was imprisoned under the Nizam.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Singh also proposed the name of Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu, whom he said participated in the movement against the Nizam's rule and was arrested and imprisoned during the struggle.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Singh urged the state government to adopt a principle of naming the airport after a documented freedom fighter or martyr associated with the Telangana liberation struggle and the Warangal region.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">He also requested the government not to name the airport after a leader of any contemporary political party, including the Congress. "Political leaders and political parties change with time, but the sacrifice of freedom fighters belongs permanently to the people of Telangana," he said in the letter.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Singh said naming the airport after a freedom fighter would honour those who participated in the struggle and provide a historical reference for future generations.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">He further requested the government to constitute a committee comprising historians, families of freedom fighters, scholars and representatives from the Warangal region.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The committee, he suggested, could examine historical records and recommend an appropriate name. The state government could then forward the proposal to the Centre for consideration, he said.</p> The Telangana government has been pursuing the development of the Mamunur airport. In September, the state government said the land acquisition required for the airport had been completed and that tenders were expected to be invited within two weeks, with foundation works planned for December.