Nizam's grandson decries attempts to tarnish former ruler

Hyderabad: A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that BJP wants to free Hyderabad from the "Nizam culture", the seventh and last ruling Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan's grandson Nawab Najaf Ali Khan said on Tuesday that politicians cannot change the 'Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb' which has been a part of the culture of Hyderabad for centuries. He said it was unfortunate that some political parties were trying to tarnish the image of the last ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad state while campaigning for GHMC elections.

Najaf Ali Khan, who is also President of the Nizam Family Welfare Association, said whenever elections are held, his grandfather is criticized and his immense services towards his subjects are blatantly disregarded. "The politicians should attract the voters with their welfare schemes and by working for the people rather than spewing unnecessary negative narrative on Nizam VII," he said.

He said promise to rename the city or free the state of Nizam culture is nothing more than a gimmick to attract attention. "But these politicians cannot change the Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb which has been a part of the culture of the people of Hyderabad for centuries. My grandfather respected all religions and united them during his regime, which had peace tranquility and secularism as essential form of governance."