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Mahesh Kumar Labels KCR's Deeksha Diwas Hunger Strike a 'Political Drama'

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 22:46 GMT by The Hans India

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Mahesh Kumar Calls KCR’s Hunger Strike During Deeksha Diwas a “Political Drama” – A Summary of The Hans India Report

The Hans India article “Mahesh Kumar slams BRS Deeksha Diwas calls KCR hunger strike a political drama” (ID 1027111) covers a sharp critique by former BRS legislator‑turned‑opposition figure Mahesh Kumar of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR)’s hunger strike that was staged on Deeksha Diwas—a day earmarked by the Telangana government to celebrate the state’s educational achievements. The piece presents the incident, its political backdrop, Kumar’s remarks, and the ensuing responses from the ruling party. The article also links to supporting content, such as KCR’s official statement on the strike and a brief history of BRS’s hunger‑strike tactics.

1. Setting the Stage: Deeksha Diwas and the Hunger Strike

Deeksha Diwas, observed on 10 June 2024, marks the anniversary of Telangana’s educational reforms that have reportedly lifted thousands of children out of illiteracy. The ruling BRS government used the occasion to showcase its record in literacy rates, scholarship programmes, and school‑construction drives. In a dramatic twist, KCR announced a self‑imposed fast at the state capital, Hyderabad, to “raise the flag of transparency” and to protest what he claimed was a “lack of accountability” in the implementation of the new education policy.

The fast took place in front of the Secretariat, with KCR surrounded by a modest cadre of supporters. It was broadcast live on state channels, and the CM reportedly announced that he would continue the fast until the government’s education ministry submitted a detailed audit report.

2. Mahesh Kumar’s Retort: “It Is a Political Drama”

Mahesh Kumar, a former BRS MLA who left the party in 2022 and now aligns with the opposition Indian National Congress (INC), appeared on a local news talk show to denounce the fast. He described it as a “political drama” designed to “create a theatrical spectacle rather than address any substantive issue.” Kumar’s key points included:

1. Historical Precedent – KCR has previously staged hunger strikes, most notably in 2017 over the “Bharat Ratna” nomination of a controversial teacher, and in 2020 during the COVID‑19 pandemic to push for emergency lockdowns. In each case, Kumar argued, the fast was a tool to siphon media attention away from political controversies.

2. Timing and Context – By staging the fast on Deeksha Diwas, KCR “took advantage of a celebratory mood” and “tricked the public into believing the fast was a self‑less act of devotion” rather than a political manoeuvre.

3. Lack of Substance – The CM’s fast was “not accompanied by a concrete plan for accountability.” Kumar emphasised that the real issue was that the education ministry’s performance metrics were opaque, and a hunger strike does not solve that.

4. Political Gains – The fast, according to Kumar, was a “political drama” aimed at “creating sympathy for the ruling party” and “diverting scrutiny from its recent policy failures in the health sector.”

Kumar further suggested that the BRS had deliberately orchestrated the fast “to capitalize on the media coverage” and to distract voters from the forthcoming municipal elections in 2025.

3. Official Reactions and Counter‑Narratives

In response, the BRS issued a statement (linked in the article) that defended the fast as “a responsible and disciplined act of self‑discipline.” The statement said:

• “The hunger strike is a personal sacrifice for the betterment of the people of Telangana.”
• “The Chief Minister has urged the education ministry to provide a detailed audit within 48 hours; a commitment has been made.”
• “The fast is not a stunt but a moral appeal for accountability.”

The statement also dismissed Kumar’s criticism as “political opportunism.” It further underlined that the CM had already called for a “transparent audit” of the education budget, implying that the fast had simply accelerated that process.

The opposition parties (INC, BJP, and the Telugu Desam Party) issued a joint statement calling for the CM’s resignation. The statement highlighted that the fast was “an act of political manipulation rather than a genuine protest.” The statement also demanded a detailed audit of the education ministry’s finances within a week.

4. Additional Context: The BRS Hunger‑Strike Tradition

The Hans India article’s footnotes link to a background piece on BRS’s hunger‑strike tradition. KCR has a history of using fasts as a political tool—most famously in 2011 when he fast‑refused to attend a meeting with the central government over Telangana’s statehood issue. The background piece notes that critics often see these fasts as “media spectacles,” while supporters view them as a “symbol of moral authority.”

The background article also touches on the policy context: Telangana’s government has faced criticism over the implementation of the “Digital Classrooms” initiative and the perceived slow rollout of scholarships to low‑income students. These policy shortcomings provide a backdrop against which KCR’s fast can be interpreted as a way to deflect criticism.

5. Political Implications and the Road Ahead

The article concludes by reflecting on the political implications of the fast and Kumar’s criticism. It suggests that the fast may have a dual effect: on the one hand, it reinforces the BRS’s image as a “moral” government; on the other, it invites intensified scrutiny from the opposition, potentially energising the opposition’s narrative that the ruling party uses “symbolic gestures” instead of concrete governance.

With the municipal elections looming, opposition parties appear poised to weaponise the fast in their campaigns. KCR’s subsequent statement on 12 June indicates that the fast will be lifted after the audit report is presented, but the article notes that the public reaction remains mixed. While a segment of the electorate praised the fast for its perceived integrity, others view it as a “political drama,” echoing Mahesh Kumar’s criticism.

6. Summary

In essence, the Hans India article reports on Mahesh Kumar’s condemnation of Chief Minister KCR’s hunger strike on Deeksha Diwas, framing it as a theatrical political manoeuvre rather than a genuine protest. The article provides background on KCR’s use of hunger strikes, details of the fast, Kumar’s accusations, official BRS rebuttals, and the broader political fallout. Through these lenses, the piece offers readers a nuanced view of how symbolic political gestures intersect with real policy debates in Telangana’s current political landscape.