Hyderabad, February 28: A conference of poets from Telangana here on Sunday witnessed differences of opinion on boycotting their counterparts from coastal districts for not supporting separate Telangana.
The issue came up when Juluri Gowrishanker, general secretary of Telangana writers’ forum, mooted the idea of not sharing literary platforms with poets from coastal districts since they neither wrote in favour nor supported the movement for separate State despite residing in Hyderabad. He suggested that all of them and their meetings should be boycotted.
The argument met with opposition from a lecturer Nandini Sidda Reddy who is actively involved in Telangana movement saying the poets from Telangana should attend the meetings of their counterparts and voice concern at lack of support. An altercation ensued as Mr. Gowrishanker and others took on Mr. Reddy saying there was no need to attend meetings of poets from coastal districts as they had already imposed an undeclared ban on gatherings to do with Telangana literary circles.
Balladeer Gadar suggested dharna in front of houses of Siva Reddy and other poets from coastal districts. Jilukara Srinivas, convenor of Singidi Telangana writers association, released a pamphlet calling for non-cooperation movement in literature in support of Telangana State.
Revolutionary writer Varavara Rao said the present day Telangana literature was an extension of Kaloji Narayana Rao’s works supporting the region. The poets of the region have always stood by people. The conference was also addressed by K. Srinivas and Tankasala Ashok, Editors of Andhra Jyothi and Vartha respectively, and film maker B. Narsing Rao.
-Agencies