The Narendra Modi government’s official celebration of September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day underscores the enduring legacy of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, whose pivotal role in integrating Hyderabad into India in 1948 remains a defining chapter of modern Indian history. Rao, a seasoned freedom fighter, actively resisted the Razakar militias that terrorized Hyderabad under the Nizam’s rule, engaging in underground armed movements and border campaigns to secure arms and challenge the autocratic regime. His courage and leadership during this tumultuous period illustrate the extended nature of India’s struggle for freedom beyond the 1947 Independence. Marking this day as a national observance also reflects the government’s recognition of Rao’s broader contributions: from rural development and land reforms in undivided Andhra Pradesh to steering India through a severe economic crisis as Prime Minister. The celebration highlights how Rao’s legacy bridges both his early resistance against communal violence and his transformative reforms in the 1990s, embodying an Indian spirit of resilience and progress in the face of complex national challenges. The government’s emphasis on this legacy reinforces Hyderabad’s rightful place in India’s unity and sovereignty.