All India Radio calls Hyderabad ‘Bhagyanagar’, receives backlash

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 Street* 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 by right-wing figures, often from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who claim Hyderabad was originally called Bhagnagar or Bhagyanagar after the historical figure Bhagmati. She had allegedly married Quli Qutb Shah, but the claim remains widely disputed as there is very little historical evidence supporting it.