The courage of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy, shines bright even today in the midst of today’s servile and self-serving elected representatives: Vishweshwar Reddy
Hyderabad, December 15, 2021: The postal department released a commemorative Special Cover on the 131st Birth Anniversary of Late Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy, Former Deputy Chief Minister of A.P, today at the A.V. Educational Society, Gaganmahal. Sri S. Rajendra Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, Telangana Circle; released the postal stamp in the presence of Sri K. Vishweshwar Reddy, Former M.P. Chevella; Prof. E. Siva Reddy, Former Vice Chancellor, Telugu University; Prof. Kasireddy Venkat Reddy; Dr. P. Bhaskar Yogi,Prof. K. Ramchandra Reddy, Secretary, A.V. Educational Society; Sri K. Vinod Reddy, Correspondent, K.V. Ranga Reddy Law College; Sri Konda Lakshmikanth Reddy, Secretary, Vignyana Sarovarcha Prachuranalu; Dr. Ch. Rajalingam, Principal, AV College; Dr. B. Jaipal Reddy, Principal, K. V. Ranga Reddy Law College and Dr. M. Bhagavantha Reddy, Director, AVC PG Centre.
Sri S. Rajendra Kumar speaking while releasing the Special Cover said, Late Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy brought in pioneering educational reforms during the Nizam era, initiatives which transformed education scenario of the time. He got over two hundred taxes abolished as they were proving to be burdensome for the common man.
Speaking on the occasion Sri K. Vishweshwar Reddy said, Late Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy was a visionary of his times, he was one of the two lawmakers who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Nizam State having 21 lawmakers, 19 of who were nominated by Nizam himself. At that time, itself Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy introduced far-sighted bills in the Assembly like succession rights for women; legitimized children of inter-caste marriages, prevention of child marriages, abolishing of untouchability, legitimizing widow marriages. While bills related to social, economic and private bills needed the prior permission of Nizam to discuss in this assembly, bills which directly affected the Nizam, his administrative process, income to himself and his government were a dangerous area to venture into, it was forbidden to raise such issues in this assembly without the express consent or the permission of the Nizam himself. Nevertheless, Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy introduced many such bills, which he thought was a necessity of common people. Abolishing of the Jagirs, creation of a public service commission for recruitment and appointment of Government staff, which meant the Nizam cannot appoint anyone he wanted. While acknowledging the open-mindedness of Nizam and sincerity of the Council Chairman, what stands out significantly is the social consciousness to understand these issues and the courage of conviction of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy to introduce these bills which are against the Nizam himself the sovereign master, in his own assembly in such a bold manner. Fast forward today, 85 years later we gained independence, we are a democracy, our representatives are elected and nominated and we see elected representatives fearing their bosses, appeasing them instead of representing the very people that voted for them. The courage of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy, shines bright even today in the midst of today’s servile and self-serving elected representatives, ministers and officers, prostrating before CMs and their political bosses. The bills introduced by Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy, however bold, were actually acknowledged by the Nizam and instead of admonishing Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy, the Nizam actually sought public and judicial opinion on these bills and permitted discussions in the Assembly. Though by then the term of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy in the Assembly came to an end, but Nizam thought his presence in these discussions and debates was absolutely crucial, so he extended the term of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy by an year and actually enacted removal of untouchability, legitimized children of inter caste marriages, rights for women, prevention of child marriages, achievements worthy of Mahatma Gandhi himself. Today the immense contribution of Shri Konda Venkata Ranga Reddy is recognized by the Government of India, with the release of Indian Postal Special cover and on behalf of the people of Telangana, the institutions built by him and our family, we thank the Government of India and the Postmaster General.
