While the mainstream media is busy with frivolous topics like India-Pakistan peace mission, IPL, Bollywood etc there is a part of our country (Telangana) which is boiling and threatens to tear apart the fabric of our modern state. It seems to be a classic study of – divide and rule that was earlier practised by imperialists & now implemented to perfection by our politicians.
In a late night briefing on December 9, 2009, the Government announced that the process for the formation of Telangana state will be initiated. Subsequently after 15 days, the Government announced that the issue of a new state will be addressed only after a consensus is reached. Thus effectively putting the formation of the new state in abeyance and making Telugu speaking people fight with each other.
The formation of states in India has been a tricky subject. In 1953, the States Reorganization Commission was appointed to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. So creating two Telugu speaking states itself is contradictory. And it makes in vain the supreme sacrifice by Potti Sreeramulu to carve out the state of Andhra Pradesh from erstwhile Madras Principality.
The announcement to create Telanagana state was made in a very adhoc manner without taking anyone in confidence or discussions. The TRS party led by Rao was anyhow politically isolated and on the verge of disintegration. The government must have shown some resilience. Now that the Centre has agreed for a separate Telangana state out of AP, it set the trend for other separate States like Gorkhaland, Bodoland, Vidarbha, Rayalseema etc. And there are better claimants for a separate state like Jammu & Gorkhaland. It may also result in violent agitations across the country.
The situation is very tense in Telangana & may erupt anytime into full blown crises. Every alternate day there is strike, bandh, road jams or demonstrations for both pro & anti Telangana. Students are badly affected. Many of them committed suicide and several of them have lost a year in academics due to constant agitations. Business has also been badly affected as the status of Hyderabad city is in a limbo. Hyderabad is home to several IT companies and constant bandhs may affect their workings. All the Andhra Pradesh MLA’s have also submitted their resignations thereby creating a political stalemate.
To agree for a Telangana state without proper discussions was a monumental blunder. Currently there seems to be no solution in sight. The government may buy some time by setting up a committee. But the blunder has been done & people’s passions have been aroused. Now it remains to be seen how far the fire may spread and the poor nation can only count the losses.