Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India]: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday recalled the atrocities committed by the Razakars during his address at the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav Day celebrations in Kalaburagi, while also emphasising the state government’s efforts to boost development in the region.
Remembering Hyderabad-Karnataka’s struggle for freedom
Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah noted that while the rest of India celebrated independence on August 15, 1947, Kalaburagi and other districts in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region were still not free. He highlighted the brutal excesses of the Razakars, whose atrocities had reached intolerable levels.
“It was due to the unwavering resolve of the unparalleled freedom fighters from this land of sacrifice, coupled with the firm determination of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, that this region was integrated into the Indian Union,” Siddaramaiah said.
He expressed gratitude to the countless freedom fighters who contributed to the region’s liberation, naming leaders such as Sharanagouda Inamdar, Raja Venkatappa Nayak, Dattatreya Avaradi, Shivamurthy Swamy Alavandi, Matamari Nagappa, Narayanrao Kanihal, Hakeekat Rao Chitaguppakar, Chandrashekhar Patil, Ramachar, Dr. Churchihal Math, Ramachandra Veerappa, Kapatappa Bele, A.V. Patil, R.V. Biddappa, and Amar Singh Rathod, among others.
Special status and constitutional provisions
Siddaramaiah highlighted that the Hyderabad-Karnataka districts have historically lagged in development. He recalled that demands for special status under Article 371-J had long been rejected by the BJP government led by late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was only in 2013 that the UPA government, under Dr. Manmohan Singh, amended the Constitution and implemented notifications to give effect to Article 371-J, effective January 1, 2013.
Development initiatives and welfare schemes
The Chief Minister outlined the government’s development efforts in Kalyana Karnataka:
- Approximately ₹1 lakh crore invested in various guarantee schemes.
- Shakti scheme: 77.6 crore women benefited from free transportation.
- Gruha Jyoti program: 2.42 lakh beneficiaries received free electricity.
- Gruha Laxmi scheme: ₹9,650 crore disbursed to 24.78 lakh women family heads, each receiving ₹2,000.
- KKRTC expansion: 937 new buses added and 1,873 new staff recruited.
- Health sector: Rs 1,797 crore allocated to the Arogya Aavishkar programme.
He also pressed the central government to expedite the establishment of an AIIMS institution in Raichur, noting that the state has provided full support but cooperation from the Centre has been limited.
Startup and industrial growth
Siddaramaiah highlighted the region’s growing startup ecosystem, stating that Kalaburagi is home to over 120 active startups, with a government goal to exceed 500 by 2030. Additionally, the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB) has provided ₹200 crore in grants to promote small-scale industries.
The Chief Minister also welcomed the GST council’s recent decision on rate rationalisation, calling it a key step in reducing the financial and compliance burden on both individuals and businesses in the region.
Conclusion
Through his address, Siddaramaiah combined a tribute to the sacrifices of Hyderabad-Karnataka’s freedom fighters with a firm commitment to accelerating regional development, welfare, and industrial growth, while urging the Centre to support initiatives such as the AIIMS project in Raichur.