MLA candidates commemorate Diwali at cemetery in Karimnagar.
MLA candidates, eager to secure votes, made a noteworthy effort to connect with voters by participating in Diwali celebrations at a cemetery in Karimnagar town. In a distinctive tradition, individuals from Dalit communities observe Diwali at the Karkanagadda graveyard, honoring their departed loved ones with fireworks and a feast featuring dishes their family members enjoyed in their lifetime.
Candidates, including BC Welfare and Civil Supplies Minister Gangula Kamalakar, BRS candidate, Karimnagar MP and BJP aspirant Bandi Sanjay Kumar, joined the festivities alongside the families of the deceased on Sunday night. This unique practice, spanning six decades, has received participation not only from mainstream political parties but also from other candidates.
During the celebration, Kamalakar acknowledged the longstanding tradition of celebrating Diwali at the graveyard, with the government annually facilitating arrangements for the community. The Karkanagadda graveyard has become a venue where the community joyously observes Diwali, adorning graves with flowers and lamps, and offering a variety of foods. Some bring vegetarian dishes, while others present non-vegetarian fare, along with items like liquor and tobacco that the departed individuals enjoyed in their lifetime.
To support the festivities, the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation took measures to clean the cemetery and provide lighting, drinking water, and other amenities. A local resident, Sadananam, expressed that the community commemorates Diwali at the graveyard as a tribute to their loved ones, continuing a decades-old practice initiated by their ancestors. Despite being unable to pinpoint the exact reason behind this unique celebration, Sadananam emphasized the importance of upholding the tradition.
