1. Write to vkduggal.ccsap@mha.gov.in

2. Send snail mail to the following address:

Member Secretary
Room No. 248
Vignan Bhavan Annexe
Maulana Azad Road
New Delhi

3. Call at the following numbers:

011-23022300
011-23022444

Your communication must reach the committee within 30 days (so make sure it reaches them before March 20). vinodkumar.duggal@yahoo.in is an alternate email you can try.

Source: fullhyderabad.com

1. Our language is different and our slang is different. This is what Telangana leaders repeatedly say defending their argument for the formation of separate Telangana. There are 28 different dialects pertaining to Telugu and in Telangana area itself 12 dialects exist. Telugu language has gone through a great deal of change (as did all other Indian languages), progressing from medieval to modern. The language of the Telangana region started to split into distinct dialects due to Muslim influence. But during the last six decades, especially after the formation of Andhra Pradesh on linguistic basis, and thanks to modern education, all the dialects are being replaced by modern and chaste Telugu. Surprisingly all the leaders in Telangana speak chaste Telugu and there is not even a single leader from this region who speaks in Telangana dialect. Especially Mr. KCR, his nephew Mr. Harish Rao and floor leader TRS in State Assembly Mr. Eetela Rajendra speak very chaste Telugu. It is very silly to demand a separate statehood for dying dialects.

2. Peoples’ movement for separate Telangana state has been vibrant since 53 years. Telangana leaders say it repeatedly and central leaders in Delhi also repeat it without taking bare facts into account. The Princely state of Nizam was merged in India in 1948 and the state assembly elections were held in 1951. Later in 1955, the Hyderabad State Assembly passed a resolution for merger with Andhra state. In 1956, Hyderabad State was trifurcated into three parts and merged with three neighboring states of Maharastra, Karnataka and Andhra in accordance with the languages spoken by the people in those respective areas. It is true, at that time some leaders opposed the merger of Telangana area of Hyderabad State with Andhra State. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh state in 1956, till 1969 there was no movement for separate Telangana. In 1969, the separate state movement was led by Telangana Praja Samithi and this outfit merged with Congress in 1971. Later there was no movement worth noting for three long decades. Telangana Rastra Samithi was established in 2003 and it was ignominiously defeated in all the elections when it contested alone. To put the record straight, there were only two movements both in 1969 and in 2009 for separate Telangana.

3. We are not asking for a new state, but only for the restoration of the state which existed earlier. Telangana State which the separatists are demanding at present never existed in history. Princely state of Nizam was made up of sixteen districts, grouped into four divisions. Aurangabad division included Aurangabad, Beed, Nanded, and Parbhani districts; Gulbarga (Gulbarga) division included Bidar District, Gulbarga, Osmanabad District, and Raichur District; Gulshanabad District or Medak division included Atraf-i-Baldah, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda (Nalgundah), and Nizamabad districts, and Warangal division included Adilabad, Karimnagar, and Warangal districts. After this princely state was merged in Indian Union, Hyderabad State was formed. Later the Telangana part of this State merged with Andhra Pradesh.

4. When there are six Hindi speaking states why can’t there be two Telugu speaking states? This question is repeatedly posed by separatists. All the Hindi speaking states never remained as a single administrative unit at any time in history. Nearly two hundred princely states were merged into six Hindi speaking states and none of the erstwhile princely states is demanding separate statehood. In each Hindi state there are many standard Hindi dialects and no one is demanding statehood for these dialects.

5. Small states are administratively viable. Separatists in Telangana cite the small states theory to defend their argument. If separated, Telangana state will be the 11th biggest state in India with nearly four crore population and it will be bigger than Kerala and Orissa states. If the separatists really support the formations of small states, they should demand that A.P. state should be split into five or six states.

6. Why anyone should object, when we intend to rule our selves? Many Telangana separatists pose this question innocently. Self-rule slogan was raised repeatedly during foreign rule and against monarchies in defense of establishing a democratic society. Thanks to the great sacrifices made by our great leaders we got independence and established democracy with universal adult franchise. In a democratic society, self-rule theory by a section of people does not hold water. In Telangana, serpanches of villages are elected from that village itself. Likewise, minicipal chairmen and zilla parished chairmen too. Division of a state can be considered on any ground other than self-rule as it may lead to balkanization of India.

7. To preserve our Self respect we demand a separate state. After losing the argument on development plank, separatists started speaking of self respect. Self respect, self confidence and the like are attributes of individuals and not that of a vast society. It is true, poverty and helplessness hurt self respect of millions everywhere. Who are responsible for letting millions go for public defecation? Who are responsible for letting weavers half-starved, farmers commit suicide, laborers migrate in search of livelihood? If the local political leaders are responsible, all these problems could have been tackled with ease and people led a life of self respect and dignity. Bifurcation of the state is not a panacea to solve all the problems related to illiteracy and poverty.

8. When we say that we opt for separation, how could anyone force us to live with them? Most of the leaders propagating formation of Telangana arrogate to themselves the right to speak on behalf of entire populace. The will of people is expressed in its best form during elections. The party TRS, which formed with the sole aim of bifurcation of the state, contested in all elections since 2003 and it was decisively rejected by the people. There is no proof to validate the people’s desire for a separate state. In India we do not have a constitutional provision for conduct of a referendum on important issues of public importance. If a referendum is conducted in the city of Hyderabad, people will surely reject the idea of bifurcation of the State. It is true, when people are fed with half-truths and their emotions are roused irrationally, they may succumb to mass hysteria. But the mood of the people is not a constant factor and it may change from time to time.

9. Our culture is different from that of those in Andhra area. A set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize an institution, organization or a social group is generally described as culture of the society. It is the human capacity to classify and represent personal and social experiences in different forms and express them imaginatively and creatively. In Andhra Pradesh, people are gradually opting out of unusual and unique primordial rituals which are different from district to district. Being unable to understand this process of modernization, separatists often express a mistaken view that local rituals are different from the rituals of other parts and put forth the argument for separate state.

10. We are not psychologically compatible with Andhra people. Compatibility is important only when there is personal interaction between people. No society as a whole interacts with another society. So the question of incompatibility does not arise. Thanks to the rigid caste system prevalent in Indian society, every caste feels that it is not compatible with other castes in the same village. Hence, the logic of incompatibility with the people of Andhra area, put forth by separatists looks ridiculous to say the least.

Source: greatandhra.com

“We called for a complete bandh to send a message to the Centre that majority of people want a United Andhra Pradesh,” Prof Samuel, Convenor of Samkhya Andhra (United Andhra Pradesh) JAC told reporters in Vijayawada.

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has suspended its services across the Telangana and Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions as a precautionary measure. Commuters had a tough time as the public transport
was unavailable.

Schools, colleges, shops and other business establishments also remained closed.In Chittoor district, except buses going to temple town of Tirupati, all other services remained cancelled.

In Vijayawada, former Mayor Mallika Begum and few other leaders were taken into custody by the police as they tried to hold a protest.

“We warn the Centre that they should not make any hasty announcement. We will conduct our next meeting in favour of United Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad also,” TDP MLA D Umamaheswara Rao said.

The JAC has called for a rail roko in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema tomorrow, to coincide with the crucial meeting convened by the Centre to discuss the Telangana issue in New Delhi.

The Telangana JAC has also called for rail and rasta roko tomorrow in Telangana Region.

Source: Rediff.com

Few points in the interview: The text in italics is my commentary.

Vundavalli: There was Telangana movement in 1969, and In 1972, when we had Jai Andhra movement. During that time, there were four Chief Ministers from Telangana. (P.V.Narasimha Rao, Velagam Jangala Rao, Chenna Reddy and Anjaiah). Why did not they give separate Telangana, when we ourselves asked to separate the state. It was Telangana leaders that made us united.

Jaya Sankar: 68.5% of of Krishna River flows in Mahaboobnagar. 70% of fertile land is in Telangana. If we take the catchment area of the river, Telangana should get 68.5% of water. If we take the fertile land, we should get 70%. Bachavath tribunal gave 811 TMC of water to A.P. But, Telangana is getting only 100 TMC. Similarly, 79% of Godavari river is in Telangana. How much are we getting?

Vundavalli: I live on the banks of Godavari, and had seen many floods. When there are floods, I used to feel like, why Telangana people do not stop some water and take it. Every year, more than 3000 TMCs of water is flowing to the sea. Why don’t they take that water? The reason is, in telangana, the height with respect to sea level is very high.

The heights with respect to sea level.

In Telangana
Nizamabad – 1296 ft
Warangal – 991 ft
Kareemnagar – 869 ft
Adilabad – 866 ft
Nalgonda – 1381 ft

In Rayalaseema,
Anathapuram – 1099 ft
Chittoor – 1093 ft
Kurnool – 899 ft
Kadapa – 463 ft

In Coastal
Vijayawada – 39 ft
Visakhapatnam – 16 ft
Rajahmundry – 46 ft

If the height is very high, then water has to be lifted. (It is very expensive to lift the water to the height of Telangana area.) Because of less height, even if coastal areas do not want to get water, still, we get lot of water. That is the reason, why there were no projects in Telangana, and many projects on Krishna and Godavari rivers in Coastal areas.

The irrigation area in 1956 and 2004 are as follows (in Lakh acres).

Telangana – 17.51 (1956) – 45.29 (2004) increased by 27.78
Coastal – 41.8 (1956) – 69.98 (2004) increased by 28.18
Rayalaseema – 9.07 (1956) – 16.23 (2004) increased by 7.16

The increase in the irrigation area is almost equal in Telangana and Coastal. In Rayalaseema, the situation is very bad, because of the height with respect to sea level.

Once the Jala Yagnam is finished, then Telangana would get water for another 57.56 lakh acres, Coastal gets 26.47 lakh acres and Rayalaseema gets 20.18 lakh acres. With that, the total irrigation area in telangana would be 102 lakh acres, Coastal – 96 lakh acres, and Rayalaseema – 36 lakh acres

Jaya Sankar: Telangana gets more than 50% of the revenue from excise, forest, mines etc. From the area or population wise, we should get 42%. But, we are not getting our share.

Vundavalli: If we take GDP Growth Rate, Per capita income, IAMR Reports, Human Index, Literacy rate or anything, Telangana is not backwards. For example, lot of water is required for producing rice. Godavari and Krishna districts have been in the first place for a long time. According calculations of FCI in 2009-10, after godavari districts, Kareemnagar is in third place. Nizamabad and Nalgonda are equivalent to Krishna district. If we take the districts which produce least, they are Visakhapatnam, Chittoor, Kadapa, Ananthapur, Prakasam. In the first 5 places, there are three districts of Telangana. In the last 5 districts, there are no districts of Telangana. Telangana is not backwards, and saying that United Andhra is the reason for its backwards is not at all true.

Jaya Sankar: Just take the G.O. that was released four days back. Nabard released Rs.130 crore to Andhra and Rayalaseema, and Rs.9 crore to Telangana. How many times do we have to beg them to give what we should get?

Vundavalli: Neither Central Government nor State Government have rights to spend money in whatever they want. Wherever the money is spent, there is Public Accounts Committee that manages this money. That is headed by opposition party member. That committee has right to validate all the proposals. Probably, the numbers that he is mentioning may be correct. Sometimes, few areas get more funds in few G.O.s and at other times, other areas get more funds. I can show you 100 G.O.s where Telangana got majority of funds. But, can we say that, only Telangana got entire money? For Nabard funds, we are yet to spend lot of money, and talking about it right now may not be correct.

Jaya Sankar: We are always looted in everything including jobs, funds, water etc.

Vundavalli: Was there any cabinet without ministers from Telangana? Did not we conduct elections in Telangana? Did we stop anyone from Telangana in anything? If something did not happen as expected, who should take the responsibility? Are the elected leaders in Telangana not responsible for that? Now, KCR is talking about Telangana. What did he do when he was in a prominent role in TDP at the time of NTR and Chandrababu? If he had really demanded then, atleast few would have solved by now. Did he talk even once about problems in Telangana before forming the party in 2001?

Jaya Sankar: Movement is not just by KCR. We have been doing it for the last 50 years.

Vundavalli: How many times, have you tried to solve the problems of Telangana in democratic way?

Jaya Sankar: Nobody cares even Supreme Court Orders. No need to speak of normal MLAs. Don’t you know about the situation of Telangana? Do we have to ask specifically?

Vundavalli: Corruption, Cheating, Looting etc., are there in all the places. It is not specific to Telangana. There are many things done to reduce those. We are somewhat successful in that. That’s why this increase in Human Index Rates. There are poor people everywhere. They can be from Vijayanagaram or Anathapuram or Adilabad. Government never considered the people from Coastal, Rayalaseema and Telangana regions differently. But, this has been colored and started injecting into people of Telangana that, “Coastal area people are looting Telagana people”.

KCR is a Member of Parliament. He should raise the issues in Parliament. Instead of raising the issues there, he had chosen to do fasting and made the situation so bad. In my opinion, after 2009 elections, he faced problems everywhere. Whether is in the people’s judgement, or from their party members. He wanted to be in limelight, and took up this. He knew that only with Telangana movement, he would be observed, and took up this fasting.

Jaya Sankar: Why did Hyderabad became capital of United Andhra? Since, they did not have a capital, and told us that we would have all the rights. That’s why we allowed them. Now, they are saying that, they developed the capital, and are asking for making it as union territory. If we have to do that, then make Mumbai, Kolkatha and Chennai as Union territories first, and then ask for Hyderabad.

Vundavalli: When we say, Hyderabad is the capital, it means, we came to your home. For the last 50 years, we thought it as our capital. Eventhough we had problems in 1969 and 1972, still we are staying peacefully till 2000. Everyone knows that Telangana movement is strong in Telangana. But, you should not say that, you would move andhra people out of Telangana, or you would destroy andhra hotels, or you would stop andhra people from making movies.

There is a big difference between Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. When Andhra state is formed, Telugu people had asked for a separate state, and that’s why Andhra had to give up Chennai. When Gujarathis asked for a separate state, they had to give up Mumbai. Now, Telangana people want separate state, they are asking andhra people to give up the state. This is ridiculous. If we allow this kind of separation, and if the same thing repeats, then the country would be in very bad situation. For example, Telangana takes Hyderabad completely, and Andhra people formes the capital at Kurnool. After few years, if Rayalaseema people asks for separate state, do coastal area people have to give up capital again? If the same thing happens, and if we form capital at Visakhapatnam, and then if north coastal people demands for a separate state, do South coastal people have to give up the capital again? This is not sustainable. If anybody is asking for a separate state, they have to give up the capital. It should not be made even as Union Territory. The capital should exclusively belong to the people who are not asking for separate state.

Jaya Sankar: To develop the film industry, we gave land, water and current. According to government rules, the land should be used only for the given purpose. But, the andhra people are making it as real estate, and artificially increasing the prices. Because of that, now, we cannot buy any land. They did not encourage the artists of Telangana. Even there also, there is dynasty rule. Don’t we have handsome people? Are they heroes, and are we fans? That’s why these riots.

Vundavalli: That’s why do you stop movie shooting, and destroy everything? There is government in India. Government should take action according to the rules. This is not the reason for riots. This is only an explanation for the riots. The only reason is, they are andhra people. It is absolutely wrong for a political party to support these riots. If we have these many problems even before division, what would be the situation after division?

Does Jaya sankar think that, the producers have so much respect for all the people of andhra, and give chance to only andhra people as the main artists? There is nothing stupid than that. If I am making a movie, without any second thought, I would give main roles to the people I like. Not the favorites of Jaya Sankar or KCR. Most of the time, the people I like would be in my relatives or friends. If I am from andhra, most of my relatives also would be from andhra. If I am from Punjab, then most of my relatives also would be from Punjab. Does he think that, when Allu Aravind is making a movie with a budget of Rs.40 crore, he should give chance to a Telangana person instead of his brother-in-law’s son?

Jaya Sankar: This movement is going for the last 10 years. Did we do anything before. Now, only they are doing. Why? Because, they cheated us. If anyone normally comes and stays here, then we welcome them. What we are saying? If you come here for living, we will save you. If you try to rule us, we don’t allow you.

Vundavalli: Maoists are extremists. They take lives of people. If you also say that, your philosophy is also same, then there is nothing that I can say. You say democracy, and then you do riots, and then you only say that, you would save us. How is it correct? Who are you to save us? In this country, anyone can go and live anywhere. If you are saying that, you would save in Hyderabad, it means you have created an environment, where one cannot live in Hyderabad. The sentence “We will save you” is itself dangerous. For better administration, we can separate. If you ask andhra people to leave, then obviously, there would be a question of Hyderabad. If you see the history, when andhra was separated from Madras state, people in Madras did not feel insecure. Even now, there are many andhra people in Coimbatore. Till some time back, even the MP there also was of Andhra. When Andhra was separated, there was problem with only language. But, there was no insecure feeling. But, the same thing (security) is not there in Hyderabad. That’s why this became the main topic. Otherwise, Hyderabad would have been one of many topics. The real democracy is, in front of crores of Telagana supporters, one person should be able to raise and say that, he would support United Andhra. In the same way, in front of many United Andhra supporters, one person should be able to say, Jai Telangana.

Can anyone say Jai Samaikya Andhra infront of any TRS activist?

Source: blog.tnsatish.com/2009/12/interview-with-vundavalli-arun-kumar.html

Professor Nirupam Bajpai, director of the South Asian programme at New York’s Columbia University, says while Andhra Pradesh has done relatively better in the last ten years or so than some other Indian states, the growth and development is largely confined to Hyderabad, other major cities in the state and the high quality rice producing Coastal Andhra region.

“Urbanisation explains a major part of the growth story and that is not just true in Andhra Pradesh but in most Indian states,” Professor Bajpai, who is also a senior development adviser at Columbia’s Earth Institute, told rediff.com

“Most other parts of Andhra Pradesh are laggard regions too, not only Telangana,” he points out.

“Since the late 1990s, the Andhra Pradesh leadership focused its attention on promoting the state, primarily Hyderabad, as a major platform for the ICT industry; the R&D sector, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and some industries in the manufacturing sector,” he says.

“The state did vigorously promote the IT industry and was successful in attracting some major players in the IT sector, both from within India as well as abroad. While all these efforts led to rapid growth and development of Hyderabad, it did little for other regions of the state,” adds Professor Bajpai.

Asked if small states are better manageable in terms of growth and development as has been contended by some experts, he replied in the negative.

“One can see that conditions in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh or Uttaranchal — states that were carved out of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh respectively — are no better today than they were in the pre-bifurcation period. What it has done, however, is add three more chief ministers, dozens of state ministers and create large bureaucracies,” Professor Bajpai quipped.

“In my view, all that the division of states does is to create additional bureaucracies, more chief ministers and his/her council of ministers and a large and fast growing public administration system over time which consumes, to my mind, a huge amount of public resources which I’d rather spend on schools, health clinics, provision of clean drinking water, roads and so on.”

“I do not subscribe to the view that smaller the size of the states will help them develop better or faster. I haven’t come across any empirical evidence to show that the smaller size had led to better management or development,” Professor Bajpai points out.

He adds that he is not at all in favour of the idea of entertaining any requests from any state for bifurcation. “Of course, the decision to go ahead with the division of Andhra Pradesh has lead to such requests which have been around for a number of years now, but none to my mind should be at the table in the first place.”

While admitting that he is not very familiar with the specific Telangana issue, he adds, “I have my doubts if Andhra Pradesh can now remain undivided for long. The actual division may take time to come about, but it is very likely to happen.”

Professor Bajpai, a macroeconomist by training, has been studying the challenges of economic development, poverty alleviation, and globalisation. He has advised governments in India, both at the central and state levels.

Since June 2004, Professor Bajpai has been an advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and several ministries like health and family welfare. Earlier, between 1999 and 2004, he served as an economic advisor to then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee , and to several of his ministers, including the ministers of finance, commerce and industry, and information technology.

Source: Rediff.com

Condition of one of them — Telugu Desam Party legislator D Umamaheshwara Rao — had worsened on Monday and a court in Guntur issued an order to the doctors to forcibly administer saline to him as he was refusing to cooperate or take solid food.

Umamaheshwara Rao, who was on fast for the last ten days, was arrested and shifted to government hospital in Vijaywada on Friday, but he did not break the fast. He was shifted to the NRI Hospital at Mangalgiri in Guntur district on Sunday and doctors were attending on him.

Doctors said his condition was not good and there was fear of further deterioration if he does not start taking food immediately.

In the same Guntur district, another senior TDP leader and former Home Minister, Kodela Sivaprasad Rao, two TDP MLAS P Pulla Rao and G Anjeneyalu, were arrested by the police as they were sitting on indefinite fast and their condition had also worsened after four days of fasting.

Later, another TDP MLC N Rajakumari started indefinite fast at the same place.

In Kadapa district, Congress MLC YS Vivekananda Reddy was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences but he too was not cooperating with the doctors and was adamant on continuing the fast. The local court has issued orders to the doctors to forcibly administer saline to Reddy in view of his weak health condition.

Vivekananda Reddy was on indefinite fast for the last seven days in support of united Andhra Pradesh. He has requested to the government to shift him to NIMS in Hyderabad on the ground that good medical facilities were not available at RIMS in Vijaywada.

In Anantapur, the police ended the six days long fast by the students of Sri Krishnadevaraya University in support of united Andhra Pradesh and shifted them to government hospital.

Meanwhile, stray incidents of violence were reported from several places as bandh was observed in districts of Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor and parts of Nellore, Krishna and Prakasham district.

According to a statement by Director General of Police Girish Kumar, more than 62000 people participated in protests in 900 places. The incidents of violence reported on Monday include burning of the BSNL office at Dharmavaram, attack on a spinning mill at Hindupur in Anantapur district, burning of Tahsildar office in Chittoor district and attacks on vehicles at several places.

In Telangana region, some miscreants damaged the statue of Potti Sriramulu at Khammam and statue of YS Rajasekhara Reddy at Marriguda in Karimnagar district.

Source: Rediff.com

The doctors of the Government General Hospital, where he was forcibly administered fluids to break his indefinite fast, impressed upon the officials and the police that Mr. Rao would have to be attended by cardiac specialists and his condition needed immediate attention in a hospital with “better infrastructure”.

The MLA was moved out of the hospital through the backdoor and whisked away to avoid trouble.

The supporters of Lagadapati Rajagopal, the Congress MP who was also continuing his fast-unto-death in the GGH, suspected that efforts were being made to shift him too. Ambulances and other vehicles were kept ready for his shifting, should it become necessary

Praja Rajyam chief K. Chiranjeevi earlier in the day called on both Mr. Rajagopal and Mr. Rao and demanded that they be shifted to the hospitals opted by them.

He demanded that Union Ministers and MPs of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions put in their papers and plunge wholeheartedly into the agitation for unified State.

Staff Reporter from Hyderabad writes: The State Human Rights Commission directed the government to consider shifting of the fasting TDP legislator to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) here.

In a petition filed before the commission B. Venkateswara Rao, an advocate, complained of indifferent attitude by government officers like the district Collector of Krishna, Commissioner of Police of Vijayawada and Superintendent of Government Hospital at Vijayawada towards the health condition of Mr. Rao. He alleged that the police had acted high-handedly.SHRC chairperson Justice B. Subhashan Reddy asked the government to consider the fasting leader’s shifting keeping in view his health condition, law and order problem and medical facilities at Vijayawada.

Source: Hindu.com

He threw his lot behind former TTD Board Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy who, along with other party cadres, has been leading the United Andhra stir with a hunger strike camp put up in front of the Corporation building here. Police force was deployed at the camp in view of the threat perception to C.K. Babu who survived attempts on his life twice at Chittoor. Congress leaders have given a call for a ‘total bandh’ of Tirupati and Chittoor on Monday expressing solidarity with the Chittoor MLA.

Meanwhile, braving incessant rain and inclement weather, the two Congress leaders, along with others, continued their fast in their make-shift tent pitched outside the Corporation office. SVU students under the banner of the JAC also are continuing their relay-fast in front of the campus despite rain even as the TDP’s relay fast also continued unabated sustaining the tempo. Reports of similar fasts have come in from other major towns of the district.

Source: Hindu.com

Doctors who examined her said fasting was slowly taking a toll on her health, though the vital functions remained normal for the time being. Hundreds of supporters gathered at the strike camp and conveyed their solidarity.

KURNOOL: T.G. Venkatesh, president of Rayalaseema Hakkula Ikya Vedika and MLA, indicated that the Central government would announce a revised decision on the State division by Thursday. Talking to reporters here on Sunday, he said the Union Ministers and other top heads involved in the State bifurcation issue indicated that they would announce a decision three days after the arrival of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from Copenhagen.

He said the Ministers’ group could not take a decision without the Prime Minister who was involved in the process. The Centre was careful this time considering the sudden reaction from Rayalaseema and Andhra areas.

He said if there was no response, the leaders of Andhra and Rayalaseema would jointly announce “Chalo Hyderabad” to conduct a peaceful protest there. “Let KCR treat us as guests,” he said. Mr. Venkatesh thanked KCR for uniting the people of rest of Andhra and provoking them enough to respond. Now it was the final battle for both KCR and Andhra leaders which would end the long uncertainty. The Centre had no option as either it should give Telangana or keep the State together. Mr. Venkatesh asked the agitators not to indulge in violence or destruction of their own properties. Mayor S. Raghurami Reddy, DCC secretary M. Sudhakar Babu, S.V. Mohan Reddy and others were present.

Source: Hindu.com

Recalling his discussions with AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Union Ministers Veerappa Moily, Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidamabaram, the Minister said they indicated that the AICC core committee would deliberate on the Telangana issue, soon after the Rajya Sabha adjourns sine die on Monday before making a statement.

The issue would be resolved soon, he told newsmen at the hunger strike camp in front of the Collectorate after calling on two fasting Congress MLAs C. Adinarayana Reddy and G. Srikanth Reddy.

Exuding confidence that Andhra Pradesh would continue as one entity, Mr. Sai Prathap said quoting Ms. Sonia Gandhi that “evolving a consensus and adoption of a resolution in the State Legislative Assembly were mandatory” in order to carve out a new State. Ms. Gandhi told him that “Andhra Pradesh would not be bifurcated if a resolution in the Assembly failed”, the Union Minister said and added that there was “no cause for concern”.

Stating that he personally favoured unified Andhra Pradesh, the Minister expressed confidence that resignations of the MLAs and MLCs would not be accepted, although they were submitted to the Assembly Speaker.

He found fault with TRS president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, for having undertaken an indefinite fast. He ought to have realised that the people of Telangana voted for a united State .

Source: Hindu.com

Burning issue: MRO office which was set ablaze following Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy’s arrest at Pulivendala.

KADAPA: A tense situation prevailed on Sunday in Pulivendula and Kadapa where mobs protesting against the arrest and hospitalisation of Congress leader Y. S. Vivekandanda Reddy attacked public property on Saturday night causing a loss estimated by Inspector General of Police R. P. Thakur at Rs. 10 crore.

Deploring the arrest of Mr. Reddy, younger brother of former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, agitators ransacked the tahsildar office, BSNL telephone exchange, Roads and Buildings Executive Engineer’s office, sub-treasury and a post office in Pulivendula. Mr. Thakur, who visited Pulivendula to inspect the damage, said those responsible for the destruction would be brought to book.

The police could not initially control the large groups of protesters that went berserk and set ablaze a jeep on the Pulivendula excise office premises and four lorries in other parts of the town. BSNL phones went dead after the exchange was burnt. An all-party committee has called for the three-day bandh from Sunday.

In Badvel town, agitators ransacked a private nursing home and damaged an autorickshaw. Hundreds of youth went round Kadapa city, forced closure of shops and damaged the glass panes of a bus, a lorry and a mini-lorry besides enforcing a total bandh within minutes of Mr. Reddy’s arrest and hospitalisation. Superintendent of Police D.S. Chowhan and other police officials undertook intensive patrolling in the city and quelled the mobs.

Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, the SHRC directed the State government on Sunday to consider the plea of Mr. Vivekananda Reddy’s kin, to shift him to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).

In a petition moved before the commission, his daughter, Suneetha Narreddy, stated that Mr. Reddy was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chest related ailment) and if not controlled immediately it would lead to acidity. His body had shown presence of ketones (acids) because of starvation and there was no proper treatment at Kadapa.

Source: Hindu.com

Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) pooh-poohs the United Andhra movement warning that there will be a bloodbath if the Telangana process is derailed. Both the sides show no signs of blinking even as the administration has come to a grinding halt. Hyderabad is showing signs of being severely impacted with potential investors looking at alternatives. The million dollar question then, is there no mutually acceptable solution that could lead a way out of this conundrum?

If one follows the voices on the debate clearly, it will be apparent that the fight is centred around the fate of Hyderabad. “Hyderabad was just a piece of land had it not been for migrants who came here and built the infrastructure. This is not merely buildings but also institutions like colleges, hospitals and industries that make a city great,” is the contention of the United Andhra protagonists. But the other side argues that Hyderabad was always big – the fifth largest city in 1956 when Andhra Pradesh came into being and is even now the fifth largest city. “So the growth is commensurate with other cities in the country, no more than elsewhere in urban India. It was always part of Telangana and even now it should be,” say Telangana protagonists.

In the midst of this face off, the indications from New Delhi are that the decision to create Telangana is final. “It is a matter of time. Once the ongoing situation cools down, the process will start. It would take a few years to complete,” a high-level source indicated. It also seems that the earlier plan was that Hyderabad would go with Telangana, but now the bosses are wondering whether Hyderabad could be made a Union Territory (UT). The subject has been broached with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) representatives who have strongly opposed the idea. “Hyderabad is the heart of Telangana. There is no question of agreeing to UT status for the city,” assert TRS representatives. On the other hand, privately, many of those seeking a UT status for Telangana, confess that their main concern is securing investments in Hyderabad and ensuring the continuance of Brand Hyderabad. “It is not an issue of where Hyderabad will go. The real issue is of maintaining conditions for the continued prosperity of Hyderabad,” says a corporate representative.

China was faced with a similar problem when Hong Kong was ceded back to them by Britain in 1997. However in the 155 years that Hong Kong had been in British control, it had become a major trading hub transacting business of billions of pounds. Though China wanted Hong Kong, it did not want to damage Brand Hong Kong. Thus came the concept of ‘one country, two systems.’ Hong Kong became a special administrative region (SAR) of China, where different laws would apply. In the same fashion, Hyderabad could become a special administrative region (SAR) of Telangana where there is a different dispensation. For example there could be an autonmous elected city government of Hyderabad. This government headed by a principal minister could be responsible to a city assembly. But this city government would have limited powers granted to it by a constitutional amendment.

For instance, the powers could relate to land use within Hyderabad, powers for local taxation like land registration fees and maintenance of law and order. A part of the revenues collected will be kept by the city government and the rest will go to the state government. The fears of investors and others will be allayed by the establishment of an independent city government. This will protect Brand Hyderabad, a prospect that would please Telangana protagonists considering that Hyderabad is their main asset.

Source: Indiatimes.com

They have been observing fasts as part of their demand for a united state of Andhra Pradesh. Government doctors and district administration have been examining their health condition.

TDP polit bureau memebres Y Rama Krishnudu and Y Yerran Naidu called on the fasting leaders.

Speaking to journalists today at the fasting camp near Hindu College here, Siva Prasad Rao claimed that the UPA partners are actually against the division of Andhra Pradesh. He lashed out at Lok Satta Party president Jai Prakash Narayan, and said that he was equivocal on the Telangana issue. “He has no political maturity,” Siva Prasad Rao alleged.

Siva Prasad Rao maintained that Telangana region is getting a lion’s share of the Nagarjuna Sagar Water Project on the Krishna river. “The Telangana area is drawing water even from dead storage of the dam,” he added.

The TDP leader took exception to the alleged undignified language used by Telangana Rastra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhara Rao against the people of Andhra region.

Meanwhile, a meeting of intellectuals, held under “Avagahana”, a voluntary organisation, is said to have advocated for unified Andhra Pradesh.

Source: DNAIndia.com

On second day of a 48-hour bandh in Krishna, West and East Godavari, Guntur, Anantapur and other districts of both the regions, sporadic violence was reported besides fasting leaders of different political parties were shifted to hospitals.

Protesters blocked road traffic at 86 places and movement of trains at 10 places, fast-unto-death continued at 38 places with relay hunger strikes continuing at 404 places, Inspector General of Police A R Anuradha told reporters in Hyderabad.

Over 1.45 lakh protesters including political leaders, students and activists of various organisations, participated in rallies, road blockades, demonstrations, relay and indefinite fast in different districts, she said adding more than seven persons were taken into preventive custody.

Protesters torched 12 motorcycles and one car in Eluru town of West Godavari district, one bus was stoned and a lorry was set ablaze in Anantapur while a telephone exchange was burnt at Kondapuram in Kadapa district, she said.

“At 31 places in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, police broke the fast of protesters after their health condition deteriorated,” Anuradha said.

Source: Indiatimes.com

“Yes, they should resign from their posts to mount pressure on the Centre,” he told reporters in Vijayawada.

Replying to a query, he said he would not mind going to Delhi to meet top leaders as part of efforts to pile up pressure on the Centre to reverse its decision on Telangana.

Chiranjeevi, who is campaigning for a united Andhra Pradesh, wanted to express solidarity with lawyers and students in Vijayawada and Guntur who are holding relay hunger strike.

He said people from other parts of the state had a substantial contribution in the development of Hyderabad and it is not justified to treat those from non-Telangana region as outsiders. Hyderabad is in Telangana region.

The movement for united Andhra Pradesh originated from the hearts of the people, he said.

Chiranjeevi also visited Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur and praised the fasting students for the cause.

Soure: Indiatimes.com

“The MP was lifted from his hunger camp at 5.30 am and shifted to a government hospital in view of his health condition. We had decided to shift him to a hospital on Friday night keeping in mind the security scenario,” said Vijayawada City Police Commissioner Rajendranath Reddy.

The Vijaywada MP began his indefinite hunger strike on December 14, protesting the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the creation of a separate Telangana state. Doctors are monitoring Rajagopal’s health condition and he may be shifted to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Science in Hyderabad, the officer said.

As the news of Rajagopal’s custody spread, Congress workers, anti-Telangana protesters and supporters of Rajagopal held road blockades and demonstrations at Vijaywada.

Former ministers M Budhaprasad, D Rajasekhar and several leaders are staging a road blockade on NH-5, resulting in massive traffic jams, the police official said, adding, “We have diverted the traffic at several places and the situation is under control.”

Meanwhile, tension prevailed near the hospital premises after state Animal Husbandry Minister K Parthasarathy was ‘gheroaed’ by activists of the Joint Action Committee and prevented from meeting Rajagopal.

The JAC agitators, who are observing a 48-hour bandh in Krishna district, staged a series of protests in support of their demand for ‘Samaikya Andhra Pradesh’ (United Andhra Pradesh) across Vijayawada.

Source: Rediff.com

India was split in 1947 @ midnight and we are still fighting to get light in our Freedom. Current Congress party had done the something @ midnight on Andhra Pradesh which will generate a fresh set of problems to the Common people who are already deprived of their rights by the muscled and selfish politicians in entire Indian Political Systems. We do not want any more divisive politics. We need united prosperity not only in Andhra Pradesh, but the whole of India. Strongly condemn the thoughtless actions by the current Union Govt at the center and other such as UP Govt proposing for splitting of states. Also the current political leadership is also to be contemned. They are depending on a Foreigner led, power less central government to take decision on their state and for their brothers and sisters. Current Andhra Pradesh political team, be it from any party should have prevented this at a gross root level by working harder for the people whom they represent. The Indian political system and the politicians failed in their duty. Instead of working towards bringing people above the poverty line, they are diverting the energy of people in Divisive politics. Not only people in Andhra will forgive this, but the entire nation. We will have to move for the next Freedom Movement in freeing the Lovely India from this corrupted political system.

swami1224 swami1…

friends ..just go through these sites…then u can understand why separate telangana…this is hunger strike …not politician’s r anything like… http://videos.videomasti.net/2009/12/11/telangana-part-1 http://videos.videomasti.net/2009/12/11/telangana-history-part-2 http://videos.videomasti.net/2009/12/11/telangana-history-part-3 http://videos.videomasti.net/2009/12/11/telangana-history-part-4

t.v.n argues to swami1…

Please read below comments as well once after seeing this documentary FIRST POINT:If some one take a video about Vidharbha in Maharashtra they can take a really great documentory showing their poor condition, similarly some one can take equal documentary about Bihar.. telangana state creation would have been justice if it was created in 1960/70/80s but there after there has been tremendous growth taking place, History reveals how Nizam ruled that zone, but with Time situations changes that every one accepts history show how they suffered or lived perhaps not how they are living now unless we see practically over there. SECOND: Great video about KCR lead and TRS which clearly shows about KCR advertisement, Why because he has been in government ever since I know, he was even in speaker position with TDP, in congress he was central minister, I wanted to know what developments he has done being in politics and power too since quite long???? apart from raising his voice against telanga, because I belong to Warangal district, a place called NelliKudur I know what is telangana and what is KCR, THRID : During Last chief minister Dr.Rajashekar Reddy initiated Many irrigation projects which were pending for quite long, During Chandra babu naidu time he established or initiated a source for Many more IT projects in Hyderabad which is capital of Ap as well as Telangana, 10lakh people are working by residing in Hyderabad they have intern created many more business developments across AP, At one point of time, People said Chandrababu naidu mad about IT business and creating IT Jobs for Young, he kept Ap in number One position in for IT sourcing, The next chief minister known for Monarchism Dr.Y.S.R who also known for Mad and Determined to create Many pending Irrigation projects , all the projects creation initiated and I would say at least 25 to 30% construction is completed, Rather YSR ensured that One telangana Minister take the role of these irrigation projects ,i.e Mr. Ponnala Lakshmaiah. Who is 2nd time Irrigation Minister in AP from telangana Place, and There have been few Telangana ChiefMinisters as well rule AP Jalagam VengalRao, Marri Chenna Reddy, P.Narasimha Rao, who are all known from telanagana have not done any thing to the zone yet formation itself would create many more jobs as if they are showing, I want to ask what govt jobs left so that unemployed people being misguided stating everything being exploited by Andhra zone people, Similar situation is created in Maharashtra Mumbai.. WHO GIVES JUSTICE TO UTTARANDHRA NON DEVELOPED REGION IF YOU TAKE THIS AS UNDERDEVELOPED PLACE FULLY?? I WOULD ASK WHAT TELANGANA MINISTERS AND TELANGANA MALs doing? WHY PEOPLE ARE ELECTING FOOLS OR NON-SENSE POLITICIANS? ARE PEOPLE ELECTING ANDHRA MLAs and ANDHRA MPs in TELANGANA ZONE?? INFACT WHEN TRS WON SIGNIFICANT SEATS, HAVE THEY DONE ANY THING GOOD TO TELANGANA, IF SO WHY THAT PARTY LOST AND DR.YSR GOT FULL MAJORITY IN TELANGANA STATE DURING RECENT ELECTIONS?? SO CALLED OUR NAREDHRA QUIT TELANGANA AFTER INVOLVING IN SCANDLE??

nansureshkn nansur…

It pains to see that Andhra being bifurcated with no strong reasons. There are no big reason here , only some vested intrest people created Telegana feelings and it has become Monster. Every region in Andhra can complain that they are not being economically funded for development especailly Rayalaseema due to lack of resources in comparison to Coastal. Government should not yield to pressure. Can Chidabaram make similar statement for his home state? Chidambaram needs to shut him mouth and not hurt the sentiments of Teleugu speaking people.

danendra danend…

Government as a whole (Both at center and in Andhra Pradesh) remained silent spectator of what was happening in AP and whether the demand of separate Telangana was justified for years and decades. Sometimes even ruling Congress party supported the demand of Telangana. When Mr Chandra Sekhar Rao sitting on fast unto death was about to die, the government became worried. It is the habit of ruling government to neglect public sentiments and public demand or even the demand of employees as long as there is mass violent movement against the government. They had to face the consequences both ways. It created nervousness. They did not bother to consult even their fellow men in the party at Hyderabad or even in Parliament. Hasty decision taken at eleventh hour was the only alternative left with congress party to save and conceal its inefficiency and past negligence.

sekhar._k sekhar…

Its a dangerous preceding surely, Infact Andhra Pradesh had great history of its formation, During or after independence Great Leader Potti Sriramulu Sat On fasting and Died for the Formation of AP state, bringing uniqueness from Tamil Madras state, he did fasting unto death with Great Mahatma Gandhi Inspiration, Its AP People pride they are talking, and splitting will create many more issues further, Every AP guy taking this split in to their heart and raising their voices, this issue is just political agenda for many parties to lead now in fact majority of the people dont want this. More info : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potti_Sreeramulu

Its not about Telengana the target is Hyderabad which is more of concern.Yes.

Ramu Ramu

Yest. Congress did a big blunder…except politicians no one in Telangana is interested for a new state.

hvgpal1970 hvgpal…

It is a clever political move by Congress. They have created many opportunities for themself. Now what ever happens, congress will be there to take the credit. A present issue of non availability of strong leader also will get answered through the course of this issue. For a party, which never wanted the real growth for this country. All such infights are opportunities.

jeevanrokz jeevan…

WHAT IS THIS SO CALLED APPEASEMENT OF TELENGANA PEOPLE BY CONGRESS…TELENGANA IS A LEGITIMATE DEMAND OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE PAST 6 DECADES…ANDHRAS HAVE EXPLOITIN THE REGION’S RESOURCES LIKE WATER COAL ETC EVEN GRABBING LAKHS OF ACRES OF LAND IN HYDERABAD AND ELSEWHERE….DO U KNOW THAT THOUSANDS OF TELENGANITES ARE IN GULF JAILS…..DO U KNOW THAT 10′S OF LAKHS OF TELENGANITES HAVE MIGRATED AND CAN BE FOUND FROM KASHMIR TO KANYAKUMARI….THEY HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NEW ANDHRA STATE AGAINST THEIR WISH…WHEN THEY PROTESTED 400 TELENGANA STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BRUTUALLY KILLED BY POLICE AT THE BEHEST OF ANDHRA LEADERS IN 1969…..TELENGANA PEOPLE’S CULTURE ,LANGUAGE,FOOD ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY MALIGNED..EVEN THERE VERY EXISTENCE HAS BECOME QUESTIONABLE…..TELENGANA IS NOT ABOUT KCR’S FAST, IT IS ABOUT THE LEGITIMATE DEMAND OF 3.5 CRORE VOICES….ALL THE FUSS IN COASTAL ANDHRA AND RAYALASEEMA IS PLANNED AND TO SEE THAT TELENGANA DOES NOT BECOME A REALTY AND TO SEE THAT ANDHRAS EXPLOIT THE REGION AND OPPRESS TELENGANITES…

gvj.da… argues to jeevan…

I dont agree to it.Economic statistics show that Telangana benefitted most compared to other areas of AP.north coastal AP is poorer to Telangana, so should they start agitating for a separate state?? Think little long term (both past and future). First of all our Telangana’s economy, language, culture etc had been ‘maligned’/suppressed with the long Nizam rule and before that we were united only.If we think our own telugu people from other areas are suppressing us then whey are they developing Hyd? It benefits us only.How Hyderabad developed so fast? it is because of combined efforts of all telugus and non-telugus also.Formation of smaller states is not the solution.of course we should demand for economic upliftment of our people but by separating what shall we achieve? development of hyderabad will considerably slow down and we have to depend heavily on central govt for funds and we have to compete with our own people. why other parts of AP want us and we dont want them?what a common man from other parts is ‘gaining’ by a united ap? any problem within us? dont we have telugu pride? in a democracy we can demand things to be done properly like economy,education,health etc in a democratic way and with a sense of belonging and unity. our main problem is with politicians of our area who want a separate state so that they can become CM/Minister etc and misuse more central/public funds.we had already rejectd TRS fully (see the recent general election results).They were afraid to contest for GHMC polls also.what a common man will benefit with separation? Instead of mentioning ‘Andhras exploit us’ so many times kindly check the economic data first.we should not protest andhras from coming to hyd and settling because has anybody protested us to go anywhere in AP and do job/business etc? It is not that I am from telangana and i will support it…think logical.I am also from telangana only. we shall prosper if we are united. dont let emotions dominate the realities.

Why such a sensitive issues congress took it like a birthday gift……… they should have looked at least once historically why these states been divided based on language ?? because in India we fight for everything cast, religion, region, what not?? at least unity can be created showing some reason, that itself broken by congress now.. Congress should change its mind and leave southern states as it is based on language some how by prolonging telangana issue till 2014 there elections will decide what will happen

sweet heart sweet …

Yes

sanjeev.s1 sanjee…

Now AP people’s fight with own people’s. It’s a politics.

Telangana issue was boiling in the earn but a strong lid (YSR Reddy) was placed on it so nobody could see it. When the lid ceased to exist, the boiling issue errupted like a volcano. Now, it is not in the hands of KC Rao,Rosaiah, Man Mohan Singh or even the almighty Sonia !

vinsha79 vinsha…

This whole drama was to see the breaking of the fast. Nothing else.

Yes, they have succumbed to pressure.

kuldeep_sng_2001 kuldee…

Yes, they have taken a very poor decision and have upset more people now. The congress government is known to be dumb right from the time of India’s independence.

achennoju achenn…

Very much…..”Yes.”

kanil_1952 kanil_…

YES, CONGRESS HAS OPNED A PANDORA BOX

Emad Khan Emad K…

Yes , in a way

Congress has taken a foolish decision. They have not even thought of the reasons for not taking a decisive move by their predecessors on this issue. Even the iron lady Indira Gandhi has not taken any bold move on this issue. It is really a foolish move that has resulted in chaos in AP.

baktha baktha

yes. congress has got f backfired on telangana issue.number of other states has started demanding separate states within their purview.

Source: Indiatimes.com

The drama began at around 11 am when the students climbed the top of the hospital building and started shouting Samaikhya Andhra slogans. They threatened to jump off if the Centre did not take back its decision on Telangana. After over one hour’s drama the students came down. Rattled by the incident, city police commissioner Sambasiva Rao said additional forces would be deployed at KGH to prevent any untoward incident. The 10 students were among the 12 fasting students who were shifted to KGH following SHRC orders.

With the news spreading like a wild fire, tension mounted on the AU campus as hundreds of students came out of their hostels and gathered at the varsity registrar’s office. They conducted a mock funeral of Union minister for state for HRD and Visakha MP Daggubati Purandeswari for not responding to their cause and later burnt her effigy on the campus. TDP MLC Dadi Veerabhadra Rao visited the campus to express solidarity with the students.

Earlier, police foiled the fast-unto-death agitation of five students by removing tents and shifting them to KGH in the early hours. Women cops were posted who refused to give way to another bunch of students wanting to sit on a relay hunger strike. The students grew restive and kept chanting slogans against the police high-handedness. After getting an assurance from the student leaders about conducting a peaceful agitation, the police allowed the students to continue relay hunger strikes.

The MLAs of PRP and other leaders of the region staged a novel protest in the city by wearing lungi and kanduva imitating Union home minister P Chidambaram. The protesters also wore his masks during the rally.

Meanwhile, senior TDP leader K Yerrannaidu had denied that a separate Telangana TDP has been formed. “Party president Naidu will talk to all the concerned people before taking any decision,” he asserted.

Source: Indiatimes.com

While the MLA started his indefinite fast at the RDO’s office in Dharmavaram, the SKU students launched their stir on the campus, shouting Samaikhya Andhra slogans even as the police kept a watch. Despite all-round backlash over their action on Tuesday which rocked the university, hundreds of police personnel stood guard at the varsity main gate to stop the students from coming out of the campus. However, no untoward incident was reported on Wednesday.

About 200 advocates were stopped on Pangal road by the police when they were taking out a motorcycle rally towards the SKU. Telugu Desam leader Nannapaneni Rajakumari was taken into custody at Pangal road when she tried to visit the campus to extend support to the fasting students. TDP leader Kaluva Srinivasulu and Congress leader Visveswar Reddy were also detained.

Beating a hasty retreat, Tadipatri MLA J C Diwakar Reddy said he might have erred in pointing a finger at Radical Students Union for fomenting trouble in the SKU. “The students might have been provoked by outside elements. I appeal to the students to stage a peaceful fight in support of united Andhra,” he said in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the fast-unto-death by Telugu Desam MLAs __ Paritala Sunitha, B K Parthasarathi and P Raghunatha Reddy __ near the RDO office in Anantapur entered the third day on Wednesday.

Life was paralysed in several parts of the district as educational institutions, banks, government offices and business establishments remained closed. Commuters had a tough time as the RTC stopped plying services. RTC regional manager Sasidhar said the corporation suffered Rs 6 crore loss due to bandh.

Source: Indiatimes.com

Though the people live in Chittoor district, a majority of them are Tamilians and Kannadigas settled here long time ago. Though they are not directly involved in the ongoing stir, the leaders and activists spearheading the movement have started wooing them as well in support of Samaikhya Andhra. Towards this end, posters and placards in Tamil and Kannada languages were printed to reach out to these sections in the border villages.

In fact, posters in Tamil — “Telangana tani manilam vendam-Andhra manilalm orumaiyai pirikkadinge (We don’t want separate Telangana. Please don’t break AP)” — have sprung up in the villages drawing the people’s attention to the united Andhra movement. Not only the activists pasted the posters and placards on the train bogies en route to TN travelling up to Kanyakumari and Rameswaram, but they also saw to it that their multi-lingual campaign is spread to all corners of the district by tying the posters/placards to private jeeps, lorries and other vehicles.

Sources told TOI that activists of Ravuri Eswara Rao Yuva Sena alone has prepared 20,000 such posters. A sena activist S Sadasivam said they had decided to highlight that division is not the solution and that all the people are one. “We will distribute the posters in Vellore, North Arcad, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri in TN focusing on unity,” he said.

Sena leader Kesav Rao said everyone is blaming Union ministers P Chidambaram and M Veerappa Moily for hatching a conspiracy to divide AP. “When we don’t have unity among ourselves, what’s the point in blaming others. We will spread the unity message in Kolar, Bethamangalam, Guttahalle, Kamsandra areas of Karnataka also,” he said.

Ex-TDP district vice-president Ravuri Eshwara Rao, the man behind the novel campaign, said bifurcation of the state is no solution to solve people’s problems and neglect of a particular region. “The rulers should not take hasty decisions and put the unity of the state in jeopardy,” he said.

He said tens of thousands of Tamilians and Kannadigas enter Chittoor district for pilgrimage, education and business purposes. “We cannot stop them from coming here on the grounds that they belong to other states. We must believe in cohesiveness to tackle larger issues,” he observed. He said the Centre should not go ahead with the separate Telangana plan as it would spell AP’s doom.

Meanwhile, in Krishnagiri district of TN, close to Kuppam constituency in Chittoor, the Tamilians raised a banner of revolt demanding separate state. They wanted their district to be merged under Greater Rayalaseema. “North Arcad districts of Tamil Nadu like Tiruvannamalai should also be merged into Greater Rayalaseema state,” a leader not wanting to be named said.

Source: Indiatimes.com

Sources in touch with the Congress high command said the latter avers that according Union Territory status to Hyderabad would pave the way for carving separate Telangana state without much resistance from the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. A preliminary exercise to convince the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leadership to relinquish their claim over Hyderabad and allow it a Union Territory status has also begun. But TRS leaders are opposed to it tooth and nail.

According to sources, the proposal has been under consideration of the Union government ever since a section of the Congress and MIM leaders raised the issue. Views of all major political parties would be elicited on special status to Hyderabad, the sources said.

As of now, the TRS and Telangana Congress leaders are vehemently opposing the separation of Hyderabad from Telangana while those from the other regions are in favour of a UT status. Two city ministers, Danam Nagendar and Mukesh Goud, too have been batting for the UT status.

The proposal is not feasible as it is fraught with serious negative consequences, said Telangana ideologue K Jaishankar. “Union Territory status for Hyderabad is neither feasible nor advisable. The very survival of a Union Territory in the heart of Telangana is a problem. If it is created against the wishes of the Telangana people, will they allow the city to be supplied with water and power from Telangana?” Jaishankar asked.

While some Congress MLAs from Hyderabad are also said to be in favour of UT status for the state capital, the MIM is still undecided. “The MIM would stand to gain considerably if Hyderabad is part of Telangana in which they can expand their base, but political compulsions from the Congress may force it to settle for UT status. Indications are that the party is unhappy with the Congress as it was not consulted on the issue at all,” an analyst said.

Those in favour of UT status are of the view that the more they oppose the division of the state, the greater the chances of getting special status for Hyderabad. “After standing firm on not dividing the state, if we agree to let it happen provided Hyderabad is made UT, there is a good chance that the Centre would accept it,” reasoned one leader.

The MLAs from the non-Telangana regions met on Wednesday at the residence of former minister J C Diwakar Reddy and appointed noted united Andhra Pradesh advocate and Kurnool MLA TG Venkatesh convenor to carry forward their campaign against the division of the state and according UT status for Hyderabad. The MLAs want to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and air their views.

Source: Indiatimes.com

Government should not bow to pressure tactics, says leaders

Kakinada: Congress and Praja Rajyam Party leaders have asserted that their ‘Samaikhya Andhra’ agitation will continue till the Central Government withdrew its commitment to form Telangana State. They will otherwise sit on a hunger strike to ensure that the State is not bifurcated unilaterally.

A motorcycle rally was organised on Sunday under the leadership of Kakinada City MLA Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy and District Congress Committee (DCC) president Ch. Venugopala Krishna.
All-religion prayers

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) held all-religion prayers at its district office hoping that good sense would prevail on the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P. Chidambaram. TDP district president and MLC N. Chinna Rajappa, former MLA V. Venkateswara Rao, Gollapalli Surya Rao and others took part. The Congress, the TDP and the PRP accused TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao of endangering the integrity of Andhra Pradesh and called upon the people of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema to realise his ulterior motives behind seeking statehood for Telangana. They regretted that Mr. Rao persisted with his divisive policies though the people of Telangana taught him a bitter lesson in the 2009 Assembly elections. Addressing a public meeting at Balajicheruvu here, Mr. Venugopala Krishna said Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao black-mailed the Central Government, which failed to assess the implications of granting statehood for Telangana. The government still appeared to be clueless about the steps required to defuse the crisis gripping the State. The statehood for Telangana was opposed by all the political parties and the government should not bow to pressure mounted by Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, whose penchant for political gains was evident from the way he conducted himself over the last few years.
Hunger strike

Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy said leaders of all political parties were prepared to sit on hunger strike if the government decided to create Telangana in spite of the overwhelming opposition to it from different quarters of society. There was a huge number of people in Telangana who wanted the State to remain as a single entity for which there was no better evidence than the massive electoral losses TRS suffered on its own turf.

MLC G. Rudraraju, Congress MLAs Thota Venkata Narasimham, P. Rajeswari Devi and N. Sesha Reddy, PRP MLA P. Gandhi Mohan, noted advocate Sk. Mohiddin and others were present.

Source: Hindu.com

Accompanied by hundreds of followers, Rajagopal reached the maidan also known as PWD grounds early in the day and declared that he was continuing his fast-unto-death which he began when he landed in Hyderabad on Monday. “I want to fight for a broader cause and meet the people from all the regions. But the police have not allowed me to do so and forcibly sent me to my constituency. No matter where I undertake the deeksha, I would visit the entire state soon,” the protagonist of the integrated state said.

Rajagopal went to the statue of Potti Sriramulu at Prakasam barrage and paid tributes to the ‘father of Andhra Pradesh’ on his death anniversary. From there, he began his cavalcade to the Swarjya Maidan right next to the police commissionerate and continued his fast.

Speaking to reporters, Rajagopal reiterated his argument that the people of the state would “get benefited only when the state is united.” He said that he would start the padayatra from Icchapuram in Srikakulam district and tour all the districts including those in Telangana. “I have the confidence to make even the hardcore separatists to cry for the integrated state. I will see that day,” he vowed.

He said the “sudden demise of YSR has led to the turmoil in the state.” He appealed to Chandrababu Naidu and Chiranjeevi to wholeheartedly support the cause of integrated state. Former deputy chief minister Koneru Rangarao, TDP MLC Nannapaneni Rajakumari, mayor Ratnabindu and leaders from all the parties expressed solidarity with Rajagopal.

Meanwhile, the fast launched by TDP MLAs Devineni Umameshwara Rao and Chinnam Ramakotaiah and others in Vijayawada in support of united AP entered the third day on Tuesday. Uma demanded the MPs to resign from their posts to mount pressure on the Centre. In Anantapur, TDP MLA Paritala Sunita along with two other party MLAs continued her fast at the RDO’s office for the second day.

Source: Indiatimes.com

The leaders sat near Potti Sriramulu statue near Hindu College in the city. Speaking to reporters, Kodela said that a mindless midnight decision of the Centre had sent the state into a crisis. He said that the decision to bifurcate the state was taken without consulting the other stakeholders of the process leading to angry protests across the Coastal and Rayalaseema regions.

Source: Indiatimes.com

Doddu Yohan, 25, of Karamchedu village near Chirala committed suicide by consuming pesticide on Wednesday. An agriculture labourer, Yohan was participating in the agitations and rallies for the integrated state at Chirala in the past four days. He left the village late on Tuesday night and was found in an unconscious state on Wednesday morning. He breathed his last while being shifted to the government hospital at Chirala. He left behind a suicide note.

Meanwhile, a youth collapsed on the road while taking part in a Samaikhya Andhra rally at Madikera in Kurnool district and died in the hospital later. A shopkeeper G Bheemaiah, 48, of Korlagunta street in Tirupati died of heart attack. His family members said he was depressed over the ongoing agitations across the state.

Source: Indiatimes.com

It did not come without a struggle and a final price: Nehru’s announcement came three days after Potti Sreeramulu, Gandhian and freedom-fighter, who went on an indefinite fast in Madras demanding formation of a State for the Telugu-speaking people, died on the 59th day. Three years later, on November 1, 1956, the Telangana region with Telugu-speaking people, which was under the control of the princely state of Hyderabad, was brought into the State of Andhra, which was renamed Andhra Pradesh. Younger siblings such as Kerala and Karnataka followed. Over the years, the formation of States based on the linguistic principle proved, by and large, a big success. Among other things, they provided an opportunity for Indian languages to grow independently and for their art and literature to enrich themselves with strong state support.

A concept under challenge

Today, the very concept of linguistic organisation of States has come under question and even under challenge. It has suffered a setback in several parts of the country, with factors other than language becoming a decisive force for separation into new units. In North India, some States have already been bi-furcated or tri-furcated in response to popular demands, not always for just reasons, using criteria other than language. This did not happen in the South. But there has been one longstanding issue defying all attempts at resolution, the status of Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region comprising 10 districts. The revival of the agitation for a separate Telangana State, with Hyderabad as its capital, and the response by the central government have taken Andhra Pradesh to the brink.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s late-night announcement on December 9 that the process of forming the State of Telangana would be initiated and an appropriate resolution moved in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly has profoundly altered the political situation in all three regions of the State. The central government’s decision followed the reported deterioration in the health of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi president, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, whose fast demanding a separate State of Telangana had entered the 11th day. The announcement has triggered demonstrations and protests, violent in some areas, disrupting peace and normal life in several parts of the State.

Understandably, the Union government’s announcement was criticised by elected political representatives of the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions as “hasty”, “based on wrong threat perceptions,” and so on. Twenty Ministers are reportedly planning to resign and 138 members of the Assembly have submitted their resignations to the Speaker, apparently with the intention of bringing pressure on the Centre.

It is not yet clear whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s assurance to a group of Members of Parliament from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions that “nothing will be done in haste” will arrest the cascading effect of the ongoing violent protests. This may lead to fresh thinking on the issue and, hopefully, help shape an alternative solution that avoids breaking up the State. Of course, such a solution needs to give top priority to alleviating the genuine grievances of the people of Telangana, the social and economic backwardness of the region, and the discrimination they complain of especially in the fields of employment and education.

What is intriguing, however, is how the ruling dispensation in New Delhi came out with the big announcement when even the supporters of the Telangana movement did not expect it. It bore all the signs of a panic-driven response from the Centre, a loss of political nerve. But how did it happen?

Media became a player

Some political observers assign a considerable share of the blame on influential sections of the broadcast and print media. Apart from the general complaint of sensationalising the agitation-related incidents with a view to sustaining the viewer or reader interest, there has been the charge that a section of the media developed vested interests in support of, or against, the agitation. In other words, they became players in the political drama. “To some extent they were able to influence the course of events that should otherwise have been left to the political parties or the agitators,” commented an independent observer. Some others said that there was clear exaggeration in news television’s portrayal of the initial phase of the Telangana agitation.

A senior journalist took exception to the repeated telecast of the clips of the police lathi-charge on the agitators. One TV channel reportedly showed in slow motion the lathi blows on a university student. As serious was the way some channels sensationalised the deterioration in the health of the fasting leader, making it out to be much worse than it actually was. One channel even went to the extent of reporting that the fasting leader was slipping into a coma, which was completely untrue. This only strengthens the impression that on sensitive issues, under the pressure of emotionally driven mass movements, factuality and reporting norms relating to proportion and context are being sacrificed by influential sections of the Indian media.

Source: Thehindu.com

K.M. Lakshmana Rao,

Visakhapatnam

It is depressing to see politicians and the so-called intellectuals indulging in verbal duels, following the hasty announcement by the Centre. India is a diverse country. Any decision to divide a State created earlier on linguistic basis, perhaps the most logical template in a country like India, must be made after detailed discussions.

A party which was in the forefront of fighting for Independence must show the same vision in making important decisions.

K.S. Ram,

Hyderabad

The reaction of Congress MLAs is puzzling. They first said they would abide by the high command’s decision but once the Centre announced the formation of Telangana, they started opposing it. The TDP too supported a separate Telangana state earlier. But it now claims the Centre’s decision is hasty.

Those who have taken to the streets to protest the Centre’s decision should have protested when TRS leader K. Chandrasekhara Rao raised the slogan “Jago Telanganawale, Bhago Andhrawale” and declared that the people of Andhra were “settlers.” As a person who was born in a coastal area but spent most of my life in Hyderabad, I feel some grievances of the Telangana people are genuine. But I sincerely wish Telugu-speaking people will stay united forgetting the bitterness generated in the past few weeks. No region will emerge a winner if the State is split.

V. Sekhar,

Visakhapatnam

The logic behind bifurcating a State may be better administration and governance. But there is no guarantee that the objective will be achieved. Jharkhand, which was separated from Bihar with high expectations, is an example of failure. Sardar Patel would have never thought that a long race for separate states would start barely 60 years after his great attempts at unifying them.

Naveen Shekhar,

Siwan

The UPA government is at a crossroads. It took a hasty decision by announcing the process of forming a separate State of Telangana without factoring in the people’s sentiments. The developing crisis in Andhra Pradesh shows that language cannot keep people united. As a responsible citizen and the country’s well-wisher, I request the government to form a Second States Re-organisation Commission to address the demand for smaller states.

K. Mallikarjuna Reddy,

Anantapur

The lopsided development of certain regions in some States is mainly due to the neglect and inefficiency of elected representatives hailing from those regions and the attitude of the political leadership. The bifurcation of bigger States will not solve the problem.

The growth of a few powerful regional parties in some States is mainly due to the weakness of the two major national parties and the absence of a strong and dynamic leadership at the Centre.

T. Ramaswamy,

Chennai

Leaders should desist from making pronouncements which may aggravate the already fragile situation. At the same time, a sincere effort should be made to heal the wounded sentiments of the affected population. It would be good if the Centre announces that the interests of both the regions will be well protected; no hasty decision will be taken unilaterally; Union Territory status will be granted to Hyderabad; two independent committees will be constituted for the management of the backward regions of Telangana and Andhra; and Andhra Pradesh will be renamed Telugu Nadu.

Dilip K. Settaluri,

Hyderabad

The situation in Andhra Pradesh is taking a serious turn with people from a cross-section of society joining the united Andhra agitation. Film stars seem uncertain on which side they should join. The Centre should take a bold decision immediately so that the uncertainty is removed and normality restored in the State.

H.S.R. Sharma,

Chennai

There are many backward regions in India which need to be developed economically and in terms of infrastructure. There may be many ways of addressing the problem and bifurcation is one way of doing it. Development can be achieved under a better leadership. A small state can achieve better overall development. The people of Andhra Pradesh should accept the Centre’s decision.

Ravindra Biradar,

Bidar

The main issue revolves round the ownership of Hyderabad. Both the Telangana and non-Telangana leaders claim their right over the only city that has seen astronomical development over the last two decades. The leaders of the non-Telangana regions are not ready to accept a second-grade capital city.

Development has not been replicated in the other cities of Andhra Pradesh.

Governments should at least henceforth focus on the overall development of all regions in a State.

Raghuram,

Hyderabad

The continued indifference of the Centre towards the mass protests in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema against the formation of a separate Telangana is worrying. It looks as though it finds itself isolated on the issue. Equally to be blamed for the present crisis are the major political parties of the State — the Congress for its one-line resolution authorising its high command to take a decision on Telangana, and the TDP and the Praja Rajyam Party which favoured Telangana at some time or the other.

V. Chandra Mouliswara Rao,

Tirupati

Had the Andhra Pradesh government implemented GO 610 issued in 1985, the people of Telangana would not have asked for a separate State. The people of Andhra and Rayalaseema should ask themselves and their leaders why the Gentleman’s Agreement, GO 36 and GO 610 were never implemented. The agitation for a united Andhra Pradesh is the handiwork of rich politicians of the Andhra region and Rayalaseema.

P. Kiran Kumar,

Warangal

Source: Thehindu.com

A Chinese analyst in an article hinted just a few weeks ago that with a ‘little action’ India could be broken into little pieces. As expected the article had elicited strong response from the establishment and the media, but after watching the political shenanigans over a separate state for Telangana, an army general said with a sad laugh, “the Chinese can relax, we are already doing what they had only expressed a desire to do in an article.”

The sordid Telangana episode that has made a hero of a retiring politician K Chandrasekhar Rao, who took advantage of the leadership crisis in Andhra Pradesh to go on indefinite hunger strike. His deteriorating health rang panic bells in New Delhi that suddenly decided to accept the demand for a separate state, and initiate the proceedings therein. Interestingly, the same government had co-opted Rao and his party (Telangana Rahstra Samiti) in 2004 to form the government at the Centre, but had shown little hesitation in driving him out by refusing to accept his one point agenda for a Telangana statehood.

The resulting chaos, with MPs and MLAs from different parties in Andhra Pradesh submitting their resignations, was to be expected. The announcement was sudden and unexpected. The Congress had treated Chandrasekhar Rao very shabbily with several senior leaders heard gloating in New Delhi of their ability to marginalise the TRS and its demands.

His hunger strike too was not taken seriously with little time and thought spent on the possibilities, with the result that when the doctors announced that his life was in serious danger, the party as always went into overdrive and conceded the demand. It had left itself no space to manoeuvre in, and driven Rao to a point where for political survival he was left with no other option but the hunger strike.

In the end he won, although the country has plunged into chaos with protests flooding the streets and the real possibility of every little group now coming out to demand a separate state based on ethnic and linguistic divisions that defy the very concept of integration.

The list includes Gorkhaland (West Bengal), Harit Pradesh, Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand (Uttar Pradesh),Mithilanchal (Bihar), Coorg (Karnataka), Saurashtra (Gujarat), Bodoland , Dimarji state, Karbi homeland (Assam), and Vidarbha (Maharahstra).

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has already come out with a statement that she has sent the request for the trifurcation of Uttar Pradesh to the central government and will initiate proceedings as soon as she gets clearance. Of course, she is intent on scoring political points but the fact remains that Telangana has fuelled passions all over the country with various linguistic and ethnic organisations expected to make their presence over the next few weeks. In many cases, if not all, the demand will resort to violence and hunger fasts as the capitulation by New Delhi has shown that these work.

It is obvious from the knee jerk responses that despite the Telangana issue being at the forefront of the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh — after all, all the political parties in the state have flirted with TRS at some point or the other to win votes — no one even bothered to seriously consider the pros and cons of the demand.

The Congress virtually used the TRS to get in power, and discarded it without even examining the legitimacy of the demand. A sound government would have ensured a full examination of the proposal, as of the other pending separate state demands, and seen how this would feed into the larger vision of a united, secular and democratic India. After all new states cannot emerge out of violence, and stand isolated from the national consensus without impacting adversely on the unity of the country.

There is sufficient scope in the Indian Constitution for forming new states, in fact the process has been made fairly easy and uncomplicated in what constitutional experts see as an indication that the founding fathers had visualised exactly such circumstances as the young country matured.

But it is for the governments of the day to examine the demands and to determine through necessary commissions and committees of experts whether the separate state demanded will go a long way in redressing grievances of the affected people, alleviating poverty and in the long run bringing the country closer together.

The Congress cave in has actually legitimised political blackmail, sending out the signal that this could work if taken to extreme limits. Chandrashekhar Rao could have been wooed out of the hunger strike by a special visit from a top Congress functionary. But in what is characteristic Congress style, the party decided to ignore him leaving itself with no option in the final reckoning.

A hero was made of a faltering political leader, who had been marginalised because of his own compromises. Congress leader Vasant Sathe is already raising the demand for Vidarbha, even as his party goes into silence mode trying to deal with the chaos in Andhra Pradesh.

It cannot be done in this ad hoc fashion where the Union home secretary one day announces that Hyderabad would be the capital of Telangana and the next day is sharply contradicted by his own home minister who in response to questions on the issue retorts, “ask the home secretary.” It cannot be done with MPs and MLAs resigning and the demand turning into a bitter confrontation. It cannot be done by a central government that does not know which way to turn, and is not sure what is really its policy on even state-centre relations with the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission gathering dust with every passing year.

There is need for a considered calibrated response as Telangana is not just a petty political issue, but one that will impact on the future of India.

Those in authority must realise that the carving out of states has to fulfil the demands of integration, and actually help in the development of the neglected regions. Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh and Uttarakhand are relatively new states, carved out of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to empower linguistic and ethnic groups through development. Nothing of the kind has happened and the poverty in Jharkhand for instance continues unabated. Instead the political class is reaping the benefits of power, with the Khoda scam where the former chief minister amassed thousands of crores is a case in point. Maoism has grown in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, with the development funds now being diverted to tackle the insurgency.

Before more states are created, a commission has to go into all this and more. Apart from answers to questions of micro concerns, the commission should also examine whether the smaller state will actually address the issue of development, as well as that of integration.

A new state cannot be created on political whims and fancies and the demand has to prove that it will further the interests of India and the people directly affected. Clearly there is no consensus over Telangana as the storm of protest has shown, and the Congress led United Progressive Alliance government will be following an extremely foolhardy path if it goes ahead without seeking a national consensus on what is a ticklish and yet a very serious issue.

Seema Mustafa is a senior journalist based in New Delhi.

Source: Rediff.com

Source: Rediff.com

Source: Business-Standard.com

Source: Rediff.com

Source: Rediff.com

Source: Rediff.com

“I wanted to undertake the fast in Hyderabad on Monday but I was not allowed to do so, I am continuing my fast here,” Rajagopal told media-persons. Asserting that the majority of the people do not want division of Andhra Pradesh, he demanded the Centre make a statement that the state would not be bifurcated. “A resolution should be introduced in the Assembly for Telangana. It should have been done on Monday. About 225 of the 294 MLAs are opposed to Telangana. The resolution is bound to lose and things would have been clear,” the Vijayawada MP said.

Hailing late Chief ministers N T Rama and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy for keeping the Telugu-speaking people united, Rajgopal demanded that Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu and actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi end their support for Telangana. Rajgopal was shifted to Vijayawada from Hyderabad amid high drama on Monday night. He was detained in the evening after he staged a sit-in along with 15 Congress MLAs and Praja Rajayam Party MLA at the Lalbahdur Stadium. He was taken to Falkunama police station late on Monday night but some Telangana Rashtriya Samiti and Bharatiya Janata Party activists stated a protest outside the police station. Subsequently he was taken to Vijayawada.

Praising the leadership of Rajagopal, the Joint Action Committee formed for spearheading the agitation for united Andhra Pradesh announced that they will lay siege to the national highway in Vijayawada on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the fast-unto-death launched by TDP MLAs D Umameshwara Rao and others in Vijayawada in support of an united state entered the third day. Rao demanded that Lok Sabha members resign from their posts to mount pressure on the Centre.

Protests and bandhs continued across coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions against the division of the state. Agitators planned programmes to hail the sacrifice made by Potti Sriramulu, in view of his death anniversary on Tuesday. Sriramulu died while holding a fast-unto-death for the formation of a state for Telugu speaking people. Rallies, relay hunger strikes and other forms of protests and demonstrations are being held in all districts of the non-Telangana regions opposing bifurcation of the state.

Source: Rediff.com

Sign the United Andhra Pradesh state in India Petition here

80324  Signatures Total

To,
The President of India,
Rashtrapathi Bhavan,
New Delhi.

Respected Madam President,

We look forward to you for your kind intervention in the matter of the demand for a separate Telangana State, as it is engineered and pushed forward by self-seeking and short-sighted small – time power brokers, politically unemployed, arousing passions and raising a bogey of “non-development” — the two hallmarks of the Telangana movement. It hardly needs a mention that edifice of their case is based on twisted facts and doctored statistics.

The movement has already taken its toll, and it is fast moving towards spreading disaffection and hatred among people.

Thus there is an urgent need to arrest the movement and call it a bluff. Even a casual look at the statistics cited in this exhaustive note would conclusively establish how fallacious their argument is. Far from the Telangana region not making any progress, it is this area which has registered phenomenal growth in almost all areas of development one could think of, when compared to both Andhra and Rayalseema regions.

Telangana’s growth
In 1955-56, there were about 22,000 schools in Andhra and Rayalseema regions whereas during the same period Telangana region had hardly 8000 schools. After about 50 years, the numbers rose to about 55,000 in Andhra and Rayalseema regions as against (about) 41,000 schools in Telangana region. Thus the percentage growth in the Telangana region was 413% whereas it was just about 155% in the other two regions put together.

Likewise, the percentage growth of enrolment in the Telangana region was about 916% whereas the growth was just 235% in Andhra and Rayalseema regions. Similarly there was a phenomenal increase in the number of teachers recruited in Telangana Region (366%), where as it was just normal (130%) in Andhra and Rayalseema region. Similar is the picture in respect of collegiate education too.

Barring one in Warangal and a few in the city of Hyderabad, there were absolutely no Science and Arts colleges in Telangana districts up to 1955-56, since there was no educational or other development worth its name till then. This was in direct contrast to what prevailed in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

In short, the formation of A.P. in 1956 was a boon to the children of Telangana region, (both urban and rural) and to-day they enjoy facilities for every type of education at their door step.

Likewise, the formation of the State also heralded a new era of agricultural development in the Telangana region in that, several irrigation facilities were launched resulting in phenomenal growth of different crops like rice, (284%) Cotton (1472%) and so on. The detailed statistical tables and the graphics abstracted from authentic government sources running to several pages – are being appended.

Even a casual browsing of the above figures would establish how shallow the bogey of “non-development” is, raised by those spearheading the Telangana agitation. While deciding an issue of this nature emotions and sentiments cannot obviously play a part and this is exactly what the so called leaders are arousing and playing with.

We request you, Madam President to be so kind as to consider the following detailed note and keep at bay the demands for separate Telangana state made with ulterior motives. By taking a firm stand you will be carving a niche for yourselves in the annals of the country, as a head of the state who took long term view and firmly stood for the integrity of the nation.

Distortion of facts
The allegation that Telangana region has not developed or has developed less than the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions is totally baseless. Actually, after the formation of the linguistic state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, it is the Telangana region that has fared much better than the other two regions. This is not surprising because the capital city of Hyderabad is in the Telangana region.

It is a universally acknowledged that development takes place most in and around the capital city. This is true of even the city of Delhi. A foreign writer described Delhi an artificial city because, in its enormous development, it is not representative of the rest of India. Actually, the same is true of most of national capitals and even of state capitals in a federation.

The clamour for separation comes normally from the regions away from the capital. In the case of Telangana, surprisingly, the clamour for separation is from the region which has benefited most. However a little probe would establish that the clamour is not from the grassroots but from the self-seeking political brokers.

Greater beneficiary
After 1956, most of the institutional and industrial developments have taken place in and around the capital city of Hyderabad, though the city had no infrastructural facilities like power, water, transport, access to a port etc. It didn’t have even abundant raw material resources. Because of the Central and State investments, many ancillary Industries have sprung up in this region. The necessary personnel to man the industries have migrated to Hyderabad not only from Andhra Pradesh but from other parts of India as well. This phenomenon has benefited Telangana most. The rest of Andhra Pradesh didn’t see such development, but the Rayalaseema and Andhra regions are not grumbling.

As far as irrigation is concerned, before the formation of the state in 1956, there were no irrigation projects except Nizamsagar in Telangana region. There were some projects in the other two regions like Dhawaleswaram dam on Godavari, Prakasam barrage on Krishna, KC canal from Tungabhadra, dam on Penna , Kanigiri reservoir etc. After the formation of the State, Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Somasila. Sriramsagar, Lower Maneru projects have come up. Of these, Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam projects have benefited both Telangana and Andhra regions. Somasila benefited Nellore district for irrigation, besides supplying drinking water to Tirupati and Chennai. Sriramsagar and Lower Maneru projects are exclusively for the benefit of Telangana. Considering all these it can not be said that Telangana has been deprived by any stretch of imagination.

After the formation of the State, it is the Telangana region that has developed industrially most. Also, all the major service industries like IT and Tourism etc. have developed mostly in Hyderabad city and around. The other two regions have remained virtually stagnant. They remained agricultural as they were at the inception, barring the lone exception of Visakhapatnam.

The other absurd allegation that Telangana has been exploited by the rest of Andhra Pradesh is a travesty of facts. The capital has flown from rest of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana, and not the other way round. The flow of capital has been only a one way street. The generation of employment consequent to fresh investment has taken place only in Telangana region, particularly, in and around Hyderabad. There is nothing surprising about the industries tapping, for technically trained manpower requirements from all over the country, and from other regions of Andhra Pradesh.

Lack of mass base
In spite of such impeachable facts about the development of the Telangana region, if there is still a clamour for separation, it can only be because of the politically disgruntled class and other vested interests and self-seeking government employees. It is worth noting that the TRS which spearheads the movement for separation has seen a gradual decrease in its share of the voters in the various elections that have taken place in recent years. Had the TRS had a real mass base, it would not be craving for alliances with other parties. The very fact that the TRS is eagerly searching for political partners would show how diffident it is. Likewise, political parties too want to jump on the band wagon with an eye on the ensuing elections.

It needs to be noted that Telangana started from a lower development base. For ages, it was under the Nizam’s rule, whereas the rest of Andhra Pradesh was under the British rule, which was relatively better off, with greater facilities for education under the British government and lesser social suppression of the weaker classes.

Inequalities between regions because of historical and other reasons are such that they cannot be wiped off in a day. What is needed is to judge whether regional imbalances are being gradually minimized over a period. Judged by this standard, Telangana region has benefited more by its integration than the other two regions. Thus the shoe is on the other foot.

A slogan of culture of Telangana being in jeopardy and that its self-respect is damaged is again a bogey. In these days of global integration, no region’s culture is in tact. Every region benefits from its exposure to global culture. Concepts like individual dignity and freedom from servility have spread even in a stifled atmosphere of Telangana region after the formation of the state. If separate Telangana should happen, there is the danger of a reversion to the original state – when the servant can not see the master in the eye and he will be obliged to carry his chappals. Such slavery was widespread in Telangana region and not in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.

Pining for slaves
The dominant castes/ classes feel deprived because, after integration, they don’t enjoy their old power and privileges. In a separate Telangana, it is exactly the minorities, the dalits, the tribes from the hills, and the landless working class that will suffer the most and will see an erosion of their dignity and relative freedom which they have slowly got after integration. The so called loss of culture or self-respect is more a call for the restoration of the old privileges on the part of the exploiters than anything else.

Historically speaking, the word Telangana originally meant only a region of the Telugu speaking people. The Telugus were united under 1) Andhrasathavahanas, 2) Kakatiyas 3) Vijayanagara empire and 4) even Nizam before certain districts were ceded by him to the British. It is interesting to know that, at the beginning of the 16th century, it was the coastal and adjoining region that was shown as Telangana in a Map from the book “India-A History” by John Keay (Page: 280) Publisher: Harper Collins.(Copy enclosed).

The formation of a separate state of Andhra Pradesh is a culmination of the dream of all Telugu people and the result of the sacrifices of so many patriotic people. The dream should not be allowed to be shattered by the machinations of a few short-sighted, self-seeking, and power-hungry, political activists. The political parties are toeing the line and are aligning only for drawing political mileage. They have no other interest except self- interest and short term gain.

The so-called “sentiment” (which is more a catchy slogan) is limited to the power brokers. If at all there is some “sentiment, it is because of the ignorance of the masses and because the relevant facts and figures are not made known to them. So there is an urgent need to make available the correct facts and figures to the masses and to educate them. This can best be done by the government in power.

The Telangana movement has been whipped up at different points of time by the politically disgruntled elements. Similarly, a counter movement for a separate Andhra region was also seen in the past. The Central leadership of those times stood rock-like and didn’t yield. There is a need to exhibit the same determination even today when political morality in generally is at its lowest ebb.

If Central leadership yields to every passing whims of “sentiment” or to the machinations of the self-declared defenders of regional interests, it will eventually lead to the balkanization of the country.

There are a number of Hindi speaking states. But that exception apart, linguistic states have a cultural unity of their own, and this unity deserves to be nurtured and promoted.

There is yet another aspect of the matter. The Dalits and minorities have a unity all over the country which the rest of the population doesn’t enjoy. So the Dalits and minorities will have a greater say in a larger state. They are more vulnerable in a smaller state.

Considering that we are passing through troubled times now, we look forward to you to be as firm and steadfast as central leadership of the fast, in not entreating bifurcation of states any further.

With respectful regards,
Yours sincerely,
United NRI Telugu People.
Dallas, TX, USA.

Source: greatandhra.com

Hyderabad has achieved significant progress in IT and other industries in the past 10 years. Hyderabad does belong to all regions of Andhra ,Telangana and Rayalaseema.

All prominent education institutions and universities such as the upcoming IIT, NIT, BITS, ISB, IIIT, Central University and several Central Govt. research organizations have been setup in and around Hyderabad. The Cultural, Social and Economic dynamics of Hyderabad reflect the sentiments and aspirations of the people from all regions of the state and every person from the state feels that he/she is Hyderabadi.

The linguistic states formation is the result of sacrifices made by selfless leaders like Late Sri Potti Sriramulu. Speakers reminded that we should not forget those sacrifices and allow the opportunistic politicians to drive wedge among telugus to further their own agendas. Speakers also condemned these opportunists in making use of student community for their selfish cause.

The announcement made by Home minister Chidambaram in hastiness at midnight without taking consideration of people’s mandate including the state chief minister was condemned by the gathering. Speakers have expressed concern that the division of the state would weaken the leverage of the Andhra Pradesh at the federal level, which directly impacts the development.

This event is organized by Bhakta Balla, Chaitanya Reddy,Venkat Maddipati, Srinivas Vemula, Satish Ambati, Tulasi Tummala and Srikanth Koneru.

Source: greatandhra.com

To
Smt Sonia Gandhi
Chairperson
UPA

Sub: – Political clamor for separate Telangana %u2013 Validity or otherwise thereof

Respected Madam,
Namasthe.

There is a huge clamour for a separate Telangana. However, most of it is artificial. It is whipped up by vested interests, the politically unemployed and powerbrokers.

The allegation that Telangana region has not developed or has developed less than the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions is totally baseless. Actually, after the formation of the linguistic state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, it is the Telangana region that has fared much better than the other two regions. This is not surprising because the capital city of Hyderabad is in the Telangana region.

It is a universally known fact that, anywhere, development takes place most in and around the capital city. You can take the example of even the Delhi city. Some foreign writer described Delhi an artificial city because, in its enormous development, it is not representative of the rest of India. Actually, the same is true of most of national capitals and even of state capitals in a federation. The clamour for separation comes normally from the regions away from the capital. In the case of Telangana, surprisingly, the clamour for separation is from the region which has benefited and is benefiting the most because of the location of the capital in its midst. This is not really so surprising when one realizes that the clamour has not come from the grassroots but only from the self seeking political activists.

Statistics possibly prove only what is visible even to the naked eye. However, I am enclosing a set of statements collected from authoritative sources for your kind perusal. You may get them verified. You may get statistics relating to other fields. The available figures tend to prove beyond doubt or dispute that, after the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, there was a faster growth in all fields in Telangana region, compared to the other two regions of the state. The requisite data is not available to me, but it appears that the growth in Telangana region, after 1956, compares favorably even with the other parts of the erstwhile Hyderabad state which were merged with Maharashtra and Karnataka.

After 1956, most of the Central investments have taken place in and around Hyderabad city even though, at the inception, the city had no infrastructural facilities like power, water, transport, access to a port etc. It didn%u2019t have even abundant raw material resources. Because of the Central investments, many ancillary Industries have developed in this region. The necessary personnel to man the industries have migrated to Hyderabad from rest of Andhra Pradesh and all over India. This is a natural phenomenon and has benefited Telangana most. The rest of Andhra Pradesh didn%u2019t see such development.

So far as irrigation is concerned, before the formation of the state in 1956, there were no projects except Nizamsagar in Telangana region. There were some projects in the other two regions like Dhavaleswaram dam on Godavari, Prakasam barrage on Krishna, KC canal from Tungabhadra, dam on Penna , Kanigiri reservoir etc. After the formation of the State, Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Somasila. Sriramsagar, Lower Maneru projects have come up. Of these, Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam projects have benefited both Telangana and Andhra regions. Somasila benefited Nellore district for irrigation, besides supplying drinking water to Tirupati and Chennai. Sriramsagar and Lower Maneru projects are exclusively for the benefit of Telangana. It can not be said that Telangana has been specially deprived.

After the formation of the State, Telangana region has developed industrially. Even service Industries like IT and Tourism etc. have developed more in Hyderabad city and around. The other two regions have remained mainly agricultural as they were at the inception, even though there may be a few rare exceptions like Vizag steel plant. Governmental records will prove this broad proposition.

The other allegation that Telangana has been exploited by the rest of Andhra Pradesh is absurd. The capital and manpower have flown from rest of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana, and not the other way round. The flow of capital has been only a one way street. The generation of employment consequent to fresh investment has taken place only in Telangana region, particularly, in and around Hyderabad. There is nothing surprising about this phenomenon.

In spite of such glaring facts about the development of the Telangana region, if there is still a clamour for separation, it can only be because of the politically disgruntled class and other vested interests and some government employees. It is worth notice that the TRS which spearheads the movement for separation has seen a gradual decrease in its share of the voters in the various elections that have taken place in recent years.

It is also worth notice that the movement for separation is headed by the dominant castes / classes in the Telangana region. Further, the said class is drawn from the more developed districts of Telangana like Karimnagar, Warangal and Nizamabad. Actually, a good number of them are migrants from rest of Andhra Pradesh.

If the movement for separation had a mass base, TRS would not be craving for an alliance with other parties. The very fact that the TRS is eagerly searching for political partners would show its diffidence and its lack of mass base.

It requires to be noticed that the Telangana started from a lower base. For ages, it was under the Nizam%u2019s rule, whereas the rest of Andhra Pradesh was under the British rule, which was relatively more enlightened. There were greater facilities for education under the British government and also there was lesser social suppression of the weaker classes.

Inequalities between regions because of historical and other reasons are inevitable and cannot be wiped out in a day. What is to be seen is whether regional imbalances are reducing over a period or not. Judged by this standard, Telangana region has benefited more by its integration than the other two regions. Actually, the shoe is on the other foot. If at all injustice has been done, it is to the backward districts of Rayalaseema like Anantapur.

A slogan is raised that the culture of Telangana is in jeopardy and that its self-respect is damaged. In these days of global integration, no region%u2019s culture is in tact. Every region benefits from its exposure to global culture. Concepts like individual dignity and freedom from servility have spread more in Telangana region after the formation of the state. If separate Telangana should happen, there is the danger of a reversion to the original state when the servant could not see the master in the eye or had to carry his chappals. Such slavery was more wide spread in Telangana region than in the rest of Andhra Pradesh at the time of the formation of the State.

The dominant castes/ classes feel deprived because, after integration, they don%u2019t enjoy their old power and privilege. In a separate Telangana, it is exactly the minorities, the dalits, the tribes from the hills and the landless working class that will suffer the most and will see an erosion of their dignity and relative freedom which they have slowly won after integration. The so called loss of culture or self-respect is more a call for the restoration of the old privileges on the part of the exploiters than anything else.

Historically speaking, the word Telangana originally meant only a region of the Telugu speaking people. The Telugus were united under 1) Andhrasathavahanas, 2) Kakatiyas 3) Vijayanagara empire and 4) even Nizam before certain districts were ceded by him to the British. It is interesting to know that, at the beginning of the 16th century, it was the coastal and adjoining region that was shown as Telangana in a Map from the book %u201CINDIA-A History%u201D by John Keay (Page: 280) Pub: Harper Collins. (copy enclosed).

The formation of the separate state of Andhra Pradesh is a culmination of the dream of all Telugu people and the result of the sacrifices of so many patriotic people. The dream should not be allowed to be shattered by the machinations of a few short-sighted, self-seeking, and power-hungry, political activists. The political parties are toeing the line and are aligning only for drawing political mileage. They have no other interest except self- interest and short term gain.

There is a slogan of %u201Csentiment%u201D. The so called %u201Csentiment%u201D is limited to the power brokers. If at all there is some %u201Csentiment, it is because of the ignorance of the masses and because the relevant facts and figures are not made known to them. So there is an urgent need to make available the correct facts and figures to the masses and enlighten them. This can best be done by the Government in power.

The Telangana movement has been whipped up at different points of time by the politically disgruntled. Similarly, a counter movement for a separate Andhra region was also seen in the past. The Central leadership of those times stood rock-like and didn%u2019t yield. There is a need to exhibit the same determination even today when political morality outside is at its lowest ebb.

If Central leadership yields to every passing whiff of %u201Csentiment%u201D or to the machinations of the self-declared defenders of regional interests, it will lead shortly to the balkanization of the County.

There are multiple states among the Hindi speaking people. That cannot be a precedent for dividing other linguistic groups into multiple states. In these days when communication and transport are so easy and developed, the size of the state doesn%u2019t really matter for administrative convenience. Linguistic states have a cultural unity of their own, which deserves to be nurtured and promoted.

There is another aspect of the matter. The Dalits and minorities have a unity all over the country which the rest of the population doesn%u2019t enjoy. So the Dalits and minorities will have a greater say in a larger state. They are more vulnerable in a smaller state

In the light of the above, I would request you to stand rock-like as the Central leader ship of the past and steer the ship of the State through these troubled times.

With respectful regards,
Yours faithfully,
United NRI Telugu People.
Dallas, TX , USA.