Hyderabad, April 17: An end to the plunder of resources of Telangana and denial of their legitimate share in resources and political power is possible only when the people of Telangana have a State of their own. Therefore, the time has come for the Union Government to introduce a Bill in Parliament for creating a state of Telangana. Civil society in Telangana is fully aware of the injustices meted out to the people of Telangana and the violation of Constitutional guarantees, unjust exploitation of Telangana resources for the development of Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and denial of their legitimate share of political power.
Seen in the context of statements made by Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and the pronouncements contained in the Presidential address of 2004, the AP Chief Minister’s declaration on Feb.
12, 2009, the Government of India’s declaration on Dec. 9, 2009 and the 1955 States Reorganisation Commission’s recommendation, the demand of the Telangana people for a demerger with Andhra is democratic and constitutional.
Andhra Pradesh was formed in violation of the recommendations of the Fazal Ali Commission (SRC). The SRC recommended that language alone cannot be the basis for the formation of a State. The apprehensions expressed and cautions contained in its report have proved prophetic.
The merger of Hyderabad State (Telangana) with Andhra has proved to be a sad event in the history of Telangana. The late Jawaharlal Nehru stated that the merger was conditional and both regions could be demerged if the arrangement did not work satisfactorily. Presently, Andhra Pradesh is vertically divided between the rulers (Andhra) and the ruled (Telangana). It reminds one of the pre- Independence scenario of British India exploiting Indians. The demand for Telangana has percolated to the grassroots level. Now every community irrespective of caste, creed and gender is taking out rallies in support of separate Telangana.
The movement has been surcharged with emotion. One can easily perceive that the dichotomy of `us and them’ exists in every department of the Government, legislature, professions, judiciary and law enforcement agencies. All Telanganites want not only economic (development) emancipation, but also political, social and cultural progress. Not that we love Andhra Pradesh less, but we love Telangana more.
The Telangana movement was started by students in Khammam in the first week of January 1969 to draw attention to the neglect of Telangana and the need to implement safeguards given to the region.
Later, the demand evolved into an agitation for a separate state of Telangana. In the present agitation, more than 300 young men and women have voluntarily sacrificed their lives for the cause of separate Telangana. These students became desperate as they found themselves in an orphaned state and pitted against brutality of the police. One by one, in utter anguish and despondency, they committed suicide. Many resorted to self-immolation.
If the Government does not concede a Telangana State, the disappointed youth of Telangana will once again look towards the jungles and wield rifles. There is every possibility that the suicides will turn into suicide/human bomb attacks in future. The wars of people will be more terrible than the wars of kings.
The region has remained economically underdeveloped despite being rich in resources.
It is a demand for progress, to improve the standard of living, have a more effective political order, enjoy greater social justice and play a part in the larger arena of Indian polity and exercise influence among the states. The Telangana identity is not based on either language or religion, but on history.
It is not correct to say that the Naxalites in Telangana region will wield political power and cause great harm to democratic institutions. In fact, educated youth in Telangana State will wield pens and drop rifles for good.
The so-called development of Hyderabad by Andhras is a figment of lies and a conspiracy to appropriate prime Telangana lands.
–Agencies