Telangana has been drawing immense attention leading to a much heated debate in AP. Many of them if not all have presumptions and prejudice and this has stopped them from looking at it unbiased. To get a lucid picture we need to go through past times and conditions.
Before formation of AP:
Telangana and
Andhra region: Coastal Andhra was under Madras Presidency, and when the voice for separate state of Andhra was raised after the sacrifice of Potti Sriramulu, JVP (Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Pattabhi Seetaramayya) committee agreed upon a state, provided Andhra gave up its claim on
Under these circumstances when a call for Vishalandhra (unification of all Telugu speaking people under one state) was made, there were voices of concern over Telangana. A region which has been neglected and denied of minimum privileges was being merged with a comparatively well off coastal region. Development, culture and dialect everything was again at stake. States reorganization committee (SRC) observed that Vishalandhra could be formed if 2/3 majority of
Gentlemen's agreement was signed in
>> Administrative expenditure should be borne separately by the two regions.
>> Exclusive educational facilities should be provided for students of Telangana
>> Cabinet will consist of members in proportion of 60 to 40 for Andhra and Telangana
>> If CM is from Andhra, Deputy CM will be from Telangana and vice versa.
These were formulated to protect the interests of both regions.
But obviously the subsequent governments breached this agreement. They could not stand for at least a few of the promised provisions. This led to violent protests by students, but the protests were brutally suppressed.
The reason why all these historical citations are given is that, one - the issue of Telangana is not a recent one, two - it has many a valid reason, and three I strongly believe that it has not stemmed from separatism as many say.
The recent times:
The issue which was under current for past few decades was again brought to the fore by the formation of TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) a political party with only aim to form a separate state. It was welcomed with huge support because the issues and conditions during Nizams rule are still persistent. Suicides of farmers, handloom workers testify this. One has to look beyond
The context differs; now we are a democratic country with elected representatives. If justice is still not done, the elected representatives and the people who do not question them are to be blamed first. Godavari and
The cultural aspect- There are distinct cultural variations in various parts of Andhra Pradesh like multiple dialects, celebration of festivals etc. The dialect especially is still given a second rated treatment even today. Telugu movies in many ways lampooned Telangana. We are still not learning to co-exist respecting the nuances.
Because of all these and many other reasons TRS was able to clean sweep the elections right after its formation. KCR its founder got a whopping majority of more than 2lakhs during an election.
There is also another side to it. If the power (say CM and key ministries) is vested with people from Andhra and Rayalaseema, all the contracts etc would be granted to the relatives of the people in power who also come from same region. Real estate business in
Our country is a land of political opportunists. KCR succeeded using the emotional aspects, but failed to realize that it is not possible to use the same trick all the time. People like Vijayashathi yesteryear actress (she can’t even speak the dialect well), who do not even understand the core of the issue also joined the bandwagon. People supported them purely on the merit of Telangana and not because of their personal capabilities.
Telangana lacks netas with regional interests as a priority. PV Narsimha Rao served as Chief Minister of AP and Prime Minister of the country comes from Karimnagar district in Telangana region. Whole country is indebted to him for opening up the country towards liberalization and globalization, no significant developments happened in Karimnagar during his terms. On the contrast, Pulivendula the constituency of YSR is showered with grants for ring roads, industries. The latter is the definitely a case of regional chauvinism but the point here is, it is expected from politicians to focus on their home towns.
For a new state to be formed, it requires a constitutional amendment with simple majority in both the houses at centre. If we take a pragmatic view this might not be possible in near future, with Congress in rule at centre and state.
The issues of survival like agrarian crisis take precedence over statehood. This alone is the reason why congress could win some seats in recent elections in Telangana because; people are hoping that irrigation projects started by YSR might some day finish.
But one has to remember that Telangana intellectuals and public still support the cause and no one can deny the fact that injustice is being done to this region. One is making a mistake if one is under the impression that Telangana is an issue which lost prominence. YSR or Chandrababu or KCR whoever it is, its high time ruling and opposition parties proactively get into the root of causes and try solving the issues. A separate status and grant coupled with proper implementation is the need of the hour. I know it is over optimistic, but Telangana has been waiting for decades, with hope.
The issue of Telangana is more than that of statehood. It is a struggle for justice, development, preservation of language, culture, identity. It is a shame that many disregard it just as a political stunt. It is a serious and sensitive issue with gross injustice being done to a whole region questioning the values on which we built this nation and its constitution and it has to be treated like one such issue.
See it to believe it. Watch this video.
I have tried my best to portray a gray view, critique and comments are welcome.
4 comments:
I am impressed!!!Till date i was under the illusion that i knew everything about telangana but after reading your article on telangana i change my opinion. It was an awesome article which covered almost all aspects of telangana. As u pointed it out rightly telangana does lack a powerful leader who can take up the issue to the center. congress party which is averse to giving of telangana is in power which is a clear indication that until another 5 years there wont be any voice for separate telangana. Looking at the optimistic side we could only hope that congress sympathizes with the hardships of telangana people and will give preference to localites by improving the infrastructure,education,health, basic facilities,job opportunities and other necessities.
once again i thank rythu for his wonderful article.
i am so glad you explained what telangana and andhra means and how it effects our part of the world. although i couldn't understand some of what you said i learned so much about hyderabad, telangana, andhra,razakar movement, and more. eventhough i was born and raised in hyderabad i never knew the history as well as i should have known. i don't know much about indian politics too. so in other words you educated me on a lot of things. i will for sure follow the news and pay close attention from now on. thank you again for the insight.
What is so disheartening is, of all those educated guys out there!
There are many who don’t go for the reasoning! They don’t question, as to why would someone scream for a separate state and would be seconded by so many!!
There might be many who would advocate against the division and revolt but what they tend to forget each time is to take it account the hardships faced by those who are demanding it.
“It is not about people staying in and around goddamn Hyderabad.”. That is just a part of it. There is much beyond the city to take into account to get a complete picture of the agitation.
Understanding the situation and not speaking is one set of group and then the other who speak against the notion without understanding!! As raj says, it’s a struggle to keep the identity preserved! It’s a struggle to see to it that the future son’s of this land retain the fast fading culture, it unique festivals, its language, its literature! Provide reasonable education and employability.
The agitation in late 60’s was fierce, which has seen slogans like “Andhra go back”! but the scenario is no more the same. It is not about that or any other now! The idea is to get the minimum required necessities of the people in this region fulfilled. Its not a fight for individualism but for recognition of its hardship that lay unattended from ages. It’s not about getting separated but better governance that is aimed at. It is not about taking roles and fighting but thinking about the well being of people either sides!
It’s an urge! To analyse and understand the situation before debating on it and taking random roles of either supporting or opposing! See to the history of the moment which has its root from 1962. It is a plea of almost 50 years!
A village in this region is no more a village but a real estate property! The farmers are dying, there are many families who have lost their profession! No more potters, farmers, blacksmiths!! They are gone! We donot want the future to read about all those as a part of history!! The struggle has dimension plunging into nook at corners! Understanding it will no doubt suffice all the question that are raised opposing it.
Nevertheless! This goes on!! My point here is only to suggest those who are educated, to put their brains at work before taking sides!
Raj anna, please be biased! Let those who don’t know, know about it though your eye! However! The information you have provided is definitely sufficient to give an insight into, what actually is the problem!!
Oh by the way, i support it and i am seriously biased!!
Mr.K.. The sheer size of the comment shows the anguish as well hope. People need to look for reasons and understand. It will be foolish to say there is no merit in nearly 40% of the population's persisted requests for past 5 decades.
Purpose of writing this piece in third person's perspective is to make ppl realise the issue without any emotion attached (this was hard) to it.
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