The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has intensified its push to rename Telangana’s capital, Hyderabad, as Bhagyanagar, citing the city’s historical and cultural significance. The move aligns with the Sangh’s longstanding vision of reclaiming India’s pre-invasion cultural identity and its tradition of using ancient names for Indian cities.
In a symbolic gesture, the RSS’s cultural wing, Prajna Pravah, is hosting its biennial cultural seminar, Lokmanthan, in Hyderabad under the name Bhagyanagar. The event, scheduled from November 20 to 23, was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in attendance. All official communications, including posters and invitations, refer to the venue as Bhagyanagar.
“For us, the city has always been Bhagyanagar Mahanagar and will remain so. This name goes beyond the city currently called Hyderabad. The name Bhagyanagar originated from the ancient temple of Bhagya Laxmi. It is the Bharatiya name of the place,” said J Nandakumar, chief of Prajna Pravah.
Themed Lokavalokan—examining traditions and practices of Lok (the people)—this year’s Lokmanthan focuses on three dimensions: Lok Vichaar (thoughts shaping culture in harmony with nature), Lok Vyavhaar (practices evolving with circumstances), and Lok Vyavastha (systems ensuring holistic growth). The seminar serves as a platform for intellectuals, artists, and academicians to deliberate on India’s cultural identity, societal challenges, and shared heritage.
Organized by Prajna Pravah and Pragna Bharati in collaboration with RSS-affiliated organizations, the four-day event seeks to counter colonial narratives and promote unity among Indians. The event also features foreign delegates from countries including Lithuania, Armenia, Indonesia, Russia, and China.
A senior RSS functionary stated, “Lokmanthan celebrates the interconnectedness of Bharatiya culture across regions, transcending binaries of rural and urban or literate and illiterate. Rooted in the wisdom of gurukuls and practices like Vanaprastha, the event highlights the shared traditions and nature-respecting solutions that unite Bharat.”
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who chairs the Lokmanthan reception committee, reiterated the significance of cultural unity. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was invited to attend but informed the organizers of prior commitments. The state government is likely to send a cabinet representative.
The RSS has long addressed Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar in its internal communications, and the push for the name change gained prominence with statements from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Kishan Reddy. Supporters claim the name reflects the city’s ancient roots, while critics argue it could polarize communities.
As the debate over Hyderabad’s renaming continues, events like Lokmanthan underline the RSS’s broader agenda of reclaiming India’s cultural narrative and fostering a unified identity through its historical and cultural lens.
