By MuslimMirror

Hyderabad: In a move that has sparked both support and controversy, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) hosted a grand cultural festival in Hyderabad, referring to the city by its purported ancient name, Bhagyanagar. The event, held over three days, aimed to celebrate what organizers termed the city’s “unadulterated cultural and spiritual heritage,” drawing thousands of participants from across the country.

The festival, themed “Reclaiming Our Legacy,” featured performances of traditional art forms, lectures on the city’s history, and exhibitions highlighting its Hindu heritage. Speaking at the inauguration, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat asserted that Bhagyanagar is the “original name” of Hyderabad and a testament to its Hindu origins, predating the Islamic rule that shaped much of the city’s current identity.

“Hyderabad’s roots lie in Bhagyanagar, which stands for the goddess Bhagyalakshmi. Our objective is not to erase history but to highlight the suppressed stories of its glorious past,” Bhagwat said, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural identity amid globalization and political debates.

The name Bhagyanagar has long been a contentious issue, with the RSS and allied groups claiming it reflects the city’s pre-Islamic origins. However, historians are divided on the authenticity of the claim. Some argue that Hyderabad was established by Qutb Shahi rulers in 1591 and has always been an amalgamation of diverse influences, including Hindu, Persian, and Mughal.

Critics see the RSS’s efforts as part of a larger agenda to rename places with Islamic or Mughal-sounding names, aligning with broader ideological goals of Hindutva politics. Political analyst Prof. Sudhakar Reddy remarked, “Rebranding Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar isn’t just a cultural move. It signals an attempt to rewrite history in favor of a singular narrative, disregarding the city’s pluralistic ethos.”

Cultural Celebration or Political Statement?

While the festival showcased classical dance forms, spiritual discourses, and local crafts, the underlying political undertones were hard to miss. Several BJP leaders attended, including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who echoed the RSS’s sentiments. “This is about recognizing our heritage and teaching our future generations to take pride in it,” he said.

This story was originally published in muslimmirror.com. Read the full story here.