Telangana Congress bans milk, water ablutions during party events
Hyderabad, July 16
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has banned milk and water ablutions during party programmes, party sources said on Thursday.
The ruling party has also banned garlanding leaders with JCBs and bulldozers.
State Congress Chief Mahesh Kumar Goud has issued instructions to the party cadres not to perform 'palaabhishekam' (milk ablutions) and 'jalabhishekam' (water ablutions) under any circumstances at any Congress party programme, irrespective of the occasion or venue.
He said that such programmes go against the principles of the Congress party.
He warned that those violating the party directions would face disciplinary action.
TPCC Vice-President T. Kumar Rao on Thursday issued a circular in this regard. It states that the decisions have been taken in accordance with the directions of AICC In-Charge for Telangana, Meenakshi Natrajan.
He made it clear evert party functionary is required to adhere to the decision prohibiting 'Palabhishekam' and 'Jalaabhishekam'.
"Such practices are completely contrary to the ideology and principles of the Congress Party which involves wastage of food items, specifically when people face malnutrition," the circular said.
The TPCC suggested that the party cadres may instead undertake distribution of food items.
"Further it has been observed during the visits of senior party leaders across the State, some leaders have been using JCBs, bulldozers and other heavy machinery to place oversized garlands on them. This practice is strictly prohibited. As these vehicles are symbols of oppression, from now onwards, the use of such vehicles or machinery for garlanding party leaders will also invite disciplinary action," it said.
Cadres performing milk and water ablutions of the portraits or statues of the leaders is a common practice in all the political parties in the state. Such programmes are organised to mark special occasions like birth anniversaries or major announcements.
Cadres of almost all the parties also use JCBs or bulldozers to garland the leaders during rallies and public meetings.
— IANS
Reader Comments
All parties do this nonsense, but Congress actually took a step to stop it. Now let's see if other parties follow. But I'm skeptical - politicians love their photo ops with milk and garlands, no?
The circular has a point about JCBs being "symbols of oppression" - very sharp observation. But let's be honest, this is also a way for Congress to show they're different from BRS and BJP in Telangana. Still, if it saves food and promotes dignity, I support it.
I've been living in Hyderabad for 3 years and this is refreshing to see. In the West we'd consider this common sense, but here this is actually a big deal politically. Respect to Telangana Congress for addressing this.
My father used to say "politicians drink milk, we get empty promises." Now they're banning milk and water at events while people go hungry. Maybe they should also ban expensive rallies and use that money for something useful. Just a thought.
Dekho, mai kehta hoon - agar koi party bhi ye karti hai to kya fark padta hai? Inke policies toh nahi badalte. Par haan, milk aur JCB waste band karna sahi hai. Bas yahi umeed hai ki yah kagaz tak simit na rahe.
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