The Telangana High Court has stayed the installation of a statue of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR). The statue was to be installed at Lakkaram Lake in Khammam city. Many people objected to the depiction of NTR as Lord Krishna in the statue. A petition was filed on behalf of Adibhatla, Kalapeetam, Bhartiya Yadav Sangham and Srikrishna JAC, demanding a stay on the installation of the statue from the court.
The statue of actor-turned-politician NT Rama Rao has been erected by NT Rama Rao Vigraha Erapatu Samiti with the help of Telugu Association of North America. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) had also given permission for its establishment in the middle of Lakkaram Lake. Advocate Chalakani Venkat Yadav, appearing for the petitioners, questioned the permission terming it as a violation of law. He said that a memo was issued by the Principal Secretary (I & CAD Department) to the Government, which does not come under his jurisdiction.
Yadav further said that the memo of the Principal Secretary has defied the Supreme Court’s order issued in 2013 and also the circular issued in 2016. The counsel for the petitioners submitted that the decision to allow construction of idols at public places is taken by the idol committee under the supervision of the District Collector. Apart from this, the petitioners also questioned the appearance of Lord Krishna of the statue.
It was said on behalf of the petitioners that this hurts their religious sentiments. There is no doubt that NTR was a fine artist and is loved by all. We want his statue not to look like a god, but like an actor.
After hearing the arguments, the court has stayed the installation of the statue till the next hearing. The court has sought an answer from the state government on this. The next hearing of the case will be on June 6. Please tell that on 28 May 2023 is the birth centenary celebration of NTR.
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