At a time when all the opposition parties, including the Congress, are accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party and its fringe groups of trying to drag the country into right-wing fanaticism, Telangana Pradesh Congress seems to be playing the same card, unwittingly. Otherwise, how could one explain the protest launched by former Congress Member of Parliament V Hanumantha Rao against Sunburn Festival at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday?
On Thursday, he submitted a petition to the Cyberbad police requesting for a ban on the fest. His contention was such rock fests were against Indian culture and free flow of booze, dance and music were spoiling the youth.
Other leaders went to the extent of accusing the ruling TRS government and its leaders of promoting drug culture through such events. TPCC spokesperson Addanki Dayakar questioned the state government how permission had been granted to the music fest when democratic agitations were not allowed.
Even Revanth Reddy, former TDP leader who recently switched his loyalty to Congress, jumped on to the bandwagon saying high-end events like Sunburn were used to pedal drugs among the youths, inferring drug mafias were getting tacit government support to push their trade.
The star attraction at the event is Kygo, the Norwegian songwriter and musician, who has a cult following throughout the world. Gachibowli being the city’s youngistan, Kygo is the rage among lakhs of techies.
What’s surprising is this is the first time Telangana Congress leaders are talking the same language as their counterparts in BJP, knowing full well that such talk is futile. It only helps raise controversies and give gist to some TV channels to debate. Or, is it an attempt to keep in limelight as the KCR team is stealing the show with Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Ivanka Trump’s visit and Metro inauguration by Prime Minister Modi?