Move to relocate World War-II memorial in Secunderabad draws ire of retired officers

Retired officers have filed a legal notice against the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) for relocating the World War II memorial pylon outside the Parade Ground. The notice claims the resolution passed on October 6, 2026, is "legally unsustainable, illegal, and constitutes a direct breach of the binding undertaking recorded before the Hon’ble High Court for the State of Telangana."

Colonel Sunkara Srinivasa Rao (Retd) argues that the relocation destroys the "historical authenticity, structural integrity, and site context" of the 80-year-old stone masonry structure. The memorial, which honors soldiers killed in action, includes a Sanskrit motto: "Shauryam Daksham Yudhhe, Balidan Param Dharma." Another pylon, erected by citizens in 1945, now has only a Kannada message about martyrdom.

Colonel Rao (Retd) states that the SCB's actions are against their sworn affidavit promising not to demolish or damage the pylon, only affecting the greenery. The Quad-lingual inscriptions honor soldiers from the erstwhile Hyderabad State who served in WWII. The Parade Ground is named after Gen. K.V. Krishna Rao, who fought in Burma, North West Frontier, and Baluchistan during WWII.

The relocation has sparked controversy, with some quoting the Vice President's visit to the memorial in recent days. Earthmovers have been seen excavating around the war memorial in the Parade Ground.