Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has justified the demolition of the convention centre co-owned by actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. He emphasized that his government will not hesitate to take action against anyone, regardless of their influence, who encroaches upon lakes and water bodies.

Speaking at an event organized by the Hare Krishna Movement, the Chief Minister stated that the Bhagavad Gita serves as a guiding principle in the demolition of illegal structures. He referenced Lord Krishna’s teachings, which advocate following dharma and defeating adharma, even if it requires conflict with friends. “Arjuna hesitated to fight in the war, questioning the value of killing his own kin, but Krishna reminded him that for the greater good and to uphold dharma, he must fight. Similarly, I am proceeding with these demolitions to protect our lakes, even though I know it will upset influential people who could impact my government,” Mr. Reddy said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts by his administration to prevent Hyderabad from suffering the same fate as Chennai, Uttarakhand, or Wayanad, where unregulated development has caused significant harm. The Congress-led government, through the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Authority (HYDRAA), has initiated demolitions of illegal structures built within the full tank level (FTL) of water bodies.

Among the demolished properties is the N-Convention Centre, which was allegedly constructed on encroached land that is part of Tammidikunta Lake. The demolition, carried out by officials from HYDRAA, Town Planning, Irrigation, and Revenue departments, has been a contentious issue, with the matter currently pending in court. Despite a court order freezing the demolition, the government proceeded, prompting strong condemnation from Nagarjuna, who called the action “unlawful.” He asserted that he would have voluntarily demolished the structure if the court had ruled against him.

The government release stated that the N-Convention Centre was built in the FTL/buffer zone without proper building permissions. Additionally, Mr. Reddy noted that some farmhouses near lakes, including those that discharge sewage into Gandipet, which supplies drinking water to parts of Hyderabad, pose a threat to public health. He affirmed his commitment to protecting lakes and the interests of the people, stating that he would not be a true public representative if he failed in this duty.

The municipal authorities have also issued notices to 225 row houses owned by Telugu film artists in Manikonda, furthering the government’s crackdown on illegal constructions.

However, the move has been criticized by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Harish Rao, who accused the government of using the demolitions to target opposition leaders and pressure them into joining the Congress. He suggested that colleges owned by BRS leaders Palla Rajeswar Rao and Malla Reddy could also face similar actions. Rao questioned whether the government would take similar steps against properties owned by Congress leaders Ponguleti Srinivas and Patnam Mahender Reddy, implying that the demolitions are a diversionary tactic.