Hyderabad: All India Radio News Hyderabad has come under scrutiny after it referred to the city as “Bhagyanagar” on its official social media post about a new restaurant at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad.
Originally written in Telugu, it was translated to, “GMR Hyderabad International Airport @RGIAHyd has inaugurated a brand-new dining destination *Hyderabad Streat* for passengers today. Bringing Telangana’s food culture, the flavors of Bhagyanagar, and hospitality closer to every traveler is the main objective of this concept,” the post on X read.
The post received widespread outrage after many pointed out that it was misinforming citizens, while others countered, saying it is the original name of the city.
“Please correct the mistake, it’s Hyderabad, check your handle,” an X user wrote.
“Its not Bhagyanagar its Hyderabad. Don’t spread misinformation,” a comment read, while another read, “It is Bhagyanagar! Mullas crying here….. doesn’t change history!”
Some users said that Bhagyanagar has always been used interchangeably in Telugu media and was not misleading.
Bhagyanagar is the alternative name proposed for Hyderabad by right-wing political figures from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who link the name to the unauthorised Bhagyalaxmi temple at the Charminar, separate from local stories that suggest the city was originally named Bhagnagar after the historical figure Bhagmati.
Bhagmati had allegedly married Quli Qutb Shah, but the claim remains widely disputed as there is very little historical evidence backing it.
On August 4, 2022 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said it has no information on Hyderabad being named Bhagyanagar. It also said that it has no details of the historical records of the Bhagyalaxmi temple at the Charminar.
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