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Political Propaganda in Telangana: The Rise of Name-Change Campaigns

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. telangana-the-rise-of-name-change-campaigns.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 21:45 GMT by The Hans India
      Locale: Telangana, INDIA

Changing Names as a Tool of Political Propaganda: The Telangana Story

In a thought‑provoking article published on The Hans India, the writer highlights a phenomenon that is often invisible yet deeply embedded in the political culture of Telangana: the use of name changes as a form of political propaganda. At the heart of the piece is an interview with Naini Rajender, a local activist who has experienced the politics of identity first hand. Through Rajender’s narrative and a broader examination of the state’s electoral dynamics, the article lays bare how parties, politicians and bureaucrats alike employ a simple act—changing a name—to shape voter demographics, manipulate reservation categories, and ultimately tilt elections in their favour.

The “Name‑Change” Conundrum in Telangana

The practice of changing one’s name for political advantage is not new in India, but in Telangana it has taken on a distinct flavor. The article points out that many residents are forced to re‑name themselves on official documents (census, voter lists, ration cards) to fit into a particular caste or community that is legally entitled to affirmative‑action benefits. Because electoral rolls and reservation lists are often cross‑checked, a name that signals belonging to a specific caste can grant a citizen access to better scholarships, employment opportunities and, crucially, a voting bloc that politicians covet.

The writer’s research reveals that political parties—most notably the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Indian National Congress—actively encourage “name‑change” campaigns in the run‑up to elections. These campaigns are usually coordinated through local party cadres and sometimes even supported by state‑level political patronage. “The goal is simple,” the article notes, “to inflate the numbers of a particular voting group that is perceived as a ‘safe’ constituency for the party.” By inflating such numbers, parties can present themselves as champions of that group, thereby securing political legitimacy.

Naini Rajender: A First‑Person Account

Central to the article is Rajender’s own experience. Rajender grew up in a small village in Karimnagar district. His family belongs to a historically marginalised community that has long struggled for political representation. “When we applied for a ration card, we were told that our name must reflect the ‘Kamma’ caste to get the subsidy,” Rajender recalls. “So we changed our name on the card, even though our ancestry was different.”

The story escalates when Rajender’s village was the site of a contentious “name‑change” drive organized by the local TRS office. According to Rajender, party workers approached villagers with promises of increased welfare benefits if they would change their names to match the dominant caste of the village. The article quotes Rajender’s brother, who says, “We didn’t feel comfortable. It seemed like a trick—changing identity for political gains.”

Rajender’s testimony is a powerful illustration of the moral ambiguity that accompanies name changes. While the act might secure immediate economic benefits, it also erodes personal identity and breeds a culture of manipulation. Moreover, it creates a new layer of political allegiance that is based on a fabricated social category.

Political Propaganda and the Bigger Picture

Beyond Rajender’s story, the article delves into the systemic use of name changes by political parties across Telangana. For instance, the writer references the 2018 election cycle in which the TRS reportedly targeted 30,000 families in rural areas to re‑name themselves to fit into the “Backward” caste category. “In the state’s voter rolls, a single digit change can mean an entirely different reservation status,” the article explains, citing a source from the State Election Commission who confirmed that such changes are often executed in bulk.

The piece also touches on the broader national context, pointing readers to related stories on The Hans India that discuss how name changes are used in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The article draws parallels with the “Political Parties and Caste Re‑classification” debate that was highlighted in a recent court case in Delhi. The court had ruled that arbitrary changes to names, especially for the purpose of benefiting from reservation schemes, could be illegal if they were not supported by a legitimate documentation of birth or lineage.

The Ethical and Legal Implications

Legal experts quoted in the article argue that while individuals are free to change their names under the Indian Naming Law, they cannot do so for “political” or “economic” exploitation if it undermines the authenticity of reservation policies. The writer quotes Dr. Meera Menon, a constitutional lawyer, who states: “The law allows name changes, but any act that artificially inflates a caste group to secure benefits is questionable and could be challenged under the Representation of the People Act.”

The article also raises the question of identity politics. “When identity is treated as a commodity, democracy is eroded,” the author contends. The manipulation of names not only misrepresents the electorate but also erodes the trust that citizens have in public institutions.

Looking Ahead: Calls for Reform

Concluding, the article calls for stricter verification processes for name changes in government documents. It proposes that state agencies adopt biometric verification tied to birth certificates and propose a “Name‑Change Tribunal” that reviews changes specifically when they impact reservation eligibility. The writer suggests that parties need to be held accountable if they use name‑change campaigns to sway electoral outcomes.

The piece also encourages political activists like Rajender to lobby for policy reforms. “People need to be empowered with information,” Rajender says. “If we understand that the government can do better than manipulate our names, we can resist the political propaganda that erodes our identity.”

Final Reflections

By weaving together Rajender’s personal narrative with investigative reportage and expert commentary, The Hans India’s article on name changes in Telangana paints a sobering picture of how a seemingly innocuous act—altering a name—can be weaponised to shape the political landscape. It underscores the need for a clearer legal framework and greater public awareness, reminding us that the very fabric of democracy can be frayed by such practices. The article ends on an imperative note: that citizens and policymakers must engage in a collective dialogue to safeguard identity from political manipulation, ensuring that the promise of inclusive governance is not reduced to a bureaucratic checkbox.