The demand for Telangana, a separate state hewn from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, is like the demand for the Punjabi sooba. The latter was conceded after several movements and satyagrahas spread over almost three decades. The argument advanced against the Punjabi sooba was that the people in the, then united Punjab, were like warp and woof of the same tapestry and together, enjoyed the natural resources including river waters which, if divided, would harm the inhabitants.The Punjabi suba ultimately became a reality, even though it was a state of 13 districts only.
When I find the Telangana agitations and demonstrations (there is a general strike there at present) to want a separate state, my mind goes back to the days of the Punjabi suba movement. The people opposing the demand were the Punjabis themselves.
Nearly all Sikhs came to support the Punjabi suba and nearly all Hindus remained opposed to it. The two communities did not eschew the bias and the demand acquired a religious colour. Still the demand made sense because linguistic states were formed all over India in 1956. Punjab remained bilingual. The States Reorganisation Commission also rejected the demand which it said was primarily one of scripts (Gurmuki and Devnagri). This was an oversimplification of the situation.
The Telangana demand is, however, not based on the basis of language. It is a sentiment which has come to string together all those who once lived in the old territory of Nizam’s Hyderabad-speaking Urdu. They had different food habits and different cultural moorings, more akin to Islam. There is nothing wrong in the formation of such a state except that a sentiment does not provide the type of brick and mortar which the structure of a state requires. The eyes of the people in Telangana and the rest of Andhra Pradesh are riveted on Hyderabad.
Yet the Telangana agitators base their cause for separation on discrimination, the feeling which goes down well with the people. I have checked the facts and figures and fail to make out how Telangana has been a victim of discrimination at the hands of a united Andhra.
After the lapse of nearly four decades, we, the Punjabis, feel that dividing the state was a mistake.
Even those who asked for the Punjabi sooba on the basis of religion, feel disillusioned because the population of Sikhs and non-Sikhs is now almost at par.
The Indian constitution does not debar any national from settling anywhere in the union except the restricted areas. The problem of Punjab may aggravate in the days to come. I am giving all these details to make the Telangana people learn from our experience and face the reality that a bigger state, with linguistic homogeneity turns out to be a better proposition in the long-run. The problem is that of bold leadership. Political parties have one leg in Telangana and another in the united Andhra Pradesh
As for the ruling Congress, it sees how the wind is blowing. The government’s announcement for the formation of Telangana was made at midnight. Subsequently, it realised that it had made such a big decision without a proper study. The Sri Krishna commission should have been appointed before the announcement of the formation of Telangana was made. It is clear to me that the union government, as well as the Congress, is going to be damned whether it constitutes Telangana or not.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2011.
COMMENTS (55)
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Don't worry Peoples, separate telangana won't come.sleep happily and not with hatred.
Kuldeep is right. Its not a people struggle its a KCR struggle to become CM and he is using innocent people for this goals. Everyone know if KCR dies today there is no telengana issue anymore. Its a hard fact the sooner telengana people realize this the better. Regarding SJS KCR and JAC put all the union leaders on payroll and everybody knows that its the Union Leaders call and every employee follow. Thats what happened. I know lots of people here start jumping comment after see my comments. Good Luck.
i think all divisions in pakistan should be made provinces and more power should rest in the federal government and provinces should only have a governer
@John B: i always knew you were indian
@Rajesh Chowdhary: there are chaudries in india too i didnt know that
@Giri: Hyderabad is part of Telangana. If you don't like it to be part of Telangana, please dug it our and take it some where else - can you do that. Don't talk nonsense. Hyderabad has been part of Telangana and it will remain part of Telangana. If you have a problem with it - go some where else.
@Sundeep: Dear Sandeep, Which Telanganites you are talking about. I am Telanganite and I went to school and beat every andhrite from their pants down. Today many andhrites work under me. I think you are educated enough not to generalize entire population of Telanganites. You need to go and get the statistics of academic performance of Telangaites and andhrites in the past 15 years - you would not be talking like this. Yes, when they illegally merged Telangana with Andhra there was huge disparity in educational levels and that allowed you looters to grab all the opportunities ahead of Telanganites and you illegally occupied all the powerful positions and that illegal employment and domination is still continuing eventhough the current generation has catch up with education. So better don't talk generalized statements.
@sameer: You seems to be highly educated and intellectual and looks like you can call entire TRS party thugs. If Telangana becomes Assam or Manipur what is your problem. Problems exists for a reason and you half educated illiterates think if the status quo is better where rich and powerful keep looting the weak and poor that is peace for your and you think country is making progress. You better know what is the meaning of deepening of democracy - there will be continuous struggles against the inequalities some are small and some are large - but if you think any form of agitations and movements are anti-progress, I pity your education and intellect. A well developed country like USA has many more activists than a country like India. Our country is still at rock bottom in the league of nations if income-inequalities are concerned and people like you every thing is served on a platter, you better prepare for more and more popular movements in the country in form or the other. Jai Bharat Jai Telangana
Kuldip Nayar does not seem to have any idea about the history of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh formation. Kuldip should know that Telangana region existed as an independent state for 8 long years before it was forcefully merged with Andhra state against the SRC recommendation and Telangana peoples wishes. The merger was forced with certain safe gaurds and conditions which have been violated from the day one. Educationally advanced andhrites exploited Telangana and its resources in all the areas for the past 50 years and Telanganites have been reduced to second hand citizens in their own land. Kuldip better know that Telanganites have been agitating for the separate state for the past 50 years and it is high time that Indian government respect the aspirations of Telangana people and form the TElangana state without delay.
I am from hyderabad and i want it to be neither part of Telangana nor Seemandhra.
@Balma: Hyderabadi's r in INDIA itself,they need not migrate to pakistan coz they were living under muslim rule.very very very minute no of ppl migrated to pak which is negligiible.Telangana is a demand goes back to 60 years.central govt should take a stand on it,even Jawaharlal Nehru was skeptical of this joint state coz he knew Telangana will b exploited.anyways,i dont have any opinion on bifurcation
Interesting discussion. It is interesting due to the presence of many Hyderabadis in Pakistan, as well as due to the current talk of creating more provinces in Pakistan.
ok
@Ram Bharose Singh:dear i know my history and what is the stature of HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS NIZAM-UL-MULK(ASAF JAH DYNASTY which is d strongest muslim dynasty Earth has ever seen).Telangana was much better under H.E.H NIZAM's rule.Hyderabad had best Railways,Airway network in d sub-continant.pakistan was Bankrupt in 1948,so NIZAM helped them with money.thats not a problem for me as a Real Hyderabadi(old city citizen)
@sameer: Sakal janula samme is run by street thugs. I never knew street thugs could hold4.5 crores to ransom for 14 days and more. We are in a serious discussion appreciate if you could contribute something meaningful rather than display your ignorance and immaturity.
kuldeep ji dont put belief on andhra politicians.once u hav to visit telangana officially then u can write different kinds of articles about telangana.Its real freedom fighting after our independance! Samaikyandra is trap by some rich andhra politicians.So dont fall into this trap.This is truth forever! please help to real indians.
I dont understand when somebody supporting Telangana says...the govt of AP statistics are not trustworthy. Then why should anybody trust the statistics given by employee unions and retired employees of Telangana? How can they be trustful. To check the trustworthy of AP govt numbers or Telangana supporters numbers, Srikrishna committee was formed and it revealed the truth to entire nation. Even several independent central govt economic institutes have shown that Telangana region showed enormous progress and is fastest growing in AP. If still somebody suggest separation, that means the motives are selfish and just power brokers. If you want CM, ask for CM not separate state.
All this is a big trash and waste of time and publics money. This "Sakala Janula Samme" is being run by street thugs who dont have commonsense and proper sense of livelihood. I cannot understand that why people cannot see the reality that they are being made fools by a group of selfish politicians who don't know anything except for speaking foul language.
Even if a Telangana state is formed, There will be no change. If situation is average now, it will be worse then.
People who are crying about caste and creed,food habits etc need to understand that difference's between Habits and Accent of language occur almost at every 100 KM within a state.
@shafi Ahmed: HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS NIZAM-UL-MULK-ASAF JAH DYNASTY was busy looting the people of Telangana and filling his own pocket. When Pakistan was formed, his minister tried to take money from Telangana and give it to Pakistan.
Read the link below -
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3739978.ece
Before Indian Independence, Seema Andhra region was ruled by British and Telangana by Nizam. British built schools and colleges and educated the population of Seema Andhra. Nizam invested in his personal treasury like gold, diamond jewellery, Charminar, etc. and the population of Telangana was neglected.
Result is there for all to see. Seema Andhra people are ahead of Telanganites. But people od both region are simillar. So, in another 50 years Telanganites will be on par with Seema Andhra people. No need to split the state.
Now PAK has an another reason to meddle in Indian affairs based on religion and language.
What happened about creating separate states out of UP?
Telangana was a separate state for 5 years before Andhra state was formed in !953.The demand is not on the basis of religion.It is simply restoring the original state,not separation.Hyderabad was there for hundreds of years as capital of Telangana.Andhra people lost their Madras city for Tamilians and now claim that they developed Hyderabad city.This city was fifth in India and remains at the same level.After 1956 except destroying the surrounding forests,open lands which were contributing to cleanliness and healthy life. The Andhra state has done nothing new the city.In 1947 when Lahore was lost to Pakistan Indian government built Chandigarh for the then united Punjab,it is not the case with Hyderabad.55 years of Andhra rule taught Telangana that this rule is only for exploitation of the region,people and its resources for the exclusive benefit of Andhra and their carpetbaggers.As you rightly said Andhra wants Hyderabad city to exploit,loot for their benefit as they have been doing it for the past 55 years.The so called Srikrishna committee was managed and manipulated by the Andhra government,politicians and officials.All the statistics,information supplied and submitted by the Andhra government is bogus and defective in all fields.Linguistic homogeneity and size means all the Hindi states should be merged to make one big state which will be half of India.Lastly if size,resources are taken into consideration Telangana is bigger than United Punjab .
Dear kuldipji,while u r writing an article u should have been personally visit the telengana, that is main mistake done by u . In last 30years only 1 year is ruled by CM from Telanana. All media channels are owned by Andhra people. Domination is everywhere. All courts are filled with Andhra judges. Since such domination, Telangana projects never get adequate attention. Telangana people are being discriminated in recruitment of govt jobs and promotions. AP govt favors Andhras in jobs, in awarding govt contracts, in awarding govt subsidies etc. Since such encouragement Andhras are getting richer and richer. Telangana people are stuck in poverty cycle. Telangana people were expecting such domination and such injustice. Thats why they opposed merger. Even 1st SRC recommended to keep Telangana state(residual Hyderabad state) intact. They recommended to merge only after 1961, ony of 2/3 of Telangana assembly vote for merger. But with false promises and safeguards offered by Andhra leaders they convinced some of the Telangana leaders to agree to the merger in 1956. But as expected none of those safeguards worked. Telangana people suffered because of the merger for 3 generations. We should not let this injustice to continue any longer.it is not a single person or some persons demand, it is demand of whole telngana people aim.so we want bifiguration of state.
dear sir, u are 100 percent wrong...i will tell u some facts...out of 15 lakhs govt employees only 3 lakhs are from telangana ..even though 80 percent of godavari and krishna flows in telangana but 80 percent of water is used for andhra crops...only 4 employees from telangana are present in A.P. bhawan (new delhi)out of 150...like wise in each and every field not more than 10 percent of telangana people can be seen except in labour department where u can see 90 percent of telangana,becoz he has to fill his and his families stomach....
It is difficult for people in Telangana as they prefer to have a sense of being victims and that they cannot compete with anyone. This has been drilled down into them by their leaders who never gave a thought to them. As long as Telangana remains backward, such leaders have hope to keep themselves in power. This article will only convince people who are confident about themselves, but not to those who have been taught to be under confident and hence wallow in self pity. The agitation has taken the form of tantrums of a child who is not able to make any rational judgement, blaming everyone else for any perceived wrong.
Sir, It is not so simple to give Telangana such demands will come from many states.T people have to fight for their rights within united Andhra..If T leaders shed their selfishness it can be achieved. NO SEPARATION please.
This is not the end. After telegana, there will be another demand for native and non-native telengans. These divisions will continue so long human exists on earth. So let telegana come to existance. What yugoslavia was once now called serbia, croatia and bosnia. Now there is uprising in all these new born states for further slices. Human history is full of bifurcations on the basis of their beliefs and living
Hindi is also now dominated with Urdu.... Most Hindian movies are main example...
o and for indian trols it is just administrative division so funds are distributed more efficiently we are muslims first than pakistanis than may be rahimyarkhanis
na iam for a south punjab sooba my grandfather is fom rahimyarkhan may be a bahawalpur sooba but no seraiki sooba all ethnicities live in south punjab
wow. After 64 years of independence, still we have the same kind of issues. 'Telangana' in India and 'Hazara' and 'Janubi Punjab' in Pakistan.
@Author,
We really do not understand what your problems with Telengana has to do with our country. Couldn't you write this in some Indian Newspaper? Finally why does ET have to publish these irrelevant articles?? just wondering
How is this issue even remotely related to Pakistan?
Sir, now in 21st century, language or religion like emotional issues can not hold the people together. After 60 years of independence, new generation of the people have global aspiration. They want developement of their village, town. they want better education, employement. they are not satisfied by the traditional method of governence. Need of the hour is focused and intense developement to meet the challenge of 21st Century and it is not possible in large states where chief minister does not know the name of DM and SP of all the district. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Chhtisgarh, Uttrakhand are shining examples of benifit of smaller states with the exception of nort east and Jharkhand which lagged behind because of political instability and Naxal / sepratist movement.
Hence, in my opinion time has come to divided larger states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, West Bengal etc.
Hi, All readers,
Now i have a general doubt. Majority of the nurses in hospitals in hyderabad are mallus. they are working because for their needs and also because we are not doing those kind of jobs. Why not telangana people want to do those kinds of jobs. Not even 10 % of the nurses are from telangana. is this a discrimination or pride. The overall development of a region depends on doing every(not excluding even one) kind of job, that is necessary for society. you cant just blame others.
Kiran
Dear Kuldip Nayar, Punjab was a large state,divided into two in 1947.The leftover Punjab(Indian) was one state and divided.In the case Telangana it was separate state before it was forced to merge with Andhra(which was part of Madras state).The Telugu speaking people of Madras were treated like second class citizens by the dominant Tamils in Madras state.In 1953 they had their separate state and only in 1956 the so called A.P was formed for Andhras,totally ruled by Andhras in all respects.The Telanganites are being treated like third class citizens in their own region.Only two charismatic Telangana leaders became C.Ms for A.P and both were removed by agitations and communal riots(with MIM help).P.V.Narasimharao as P.M who successfully liberalized and ran a minority government for full 5 year term was removed within few months as A.P CM by separate Andhra agitation ,same thing happened with Dr.Channareddy who became CM twice.This fight is going on for 40+ years.All the resources like water,land,coal along with jobs are enjoyed by Andhras.Only in Telangana state locals will have justice.Funny thing is Yanam(part of Pondichery) is surrounded by Andhra,Kolar,Krishnagiri have more Telugu speaking people and were left in Tamilnadu and on top of it Madras city had more Telugus than Tamils when Andhra was separated from Madras state without Madras city(it was like your dear Lahore which went to Pakistan even though Muslims were in minority and you,PM,Ex PM Gujral etc migrated to India) than .Andhras should think twice before speaking about united Andhra state. jagannath
Kildip Sir - May I ask you how did you come to conclusion that Telangana was not victimized? What was the rationale behind your assessment? If everything was a fair game as per government statistics why Telangana remained a backward region now? If injustice had not happended to Telangana, can you explain why Telangana regional committee (TRC), 6-point formula measures were instituted by then ruling parties? To keep the state united, even the recent SKC report suggested to empower Telangana Regional Counsel to oversee/safeguard interests of Telangana.
Kuldip Nayyar ji, You said you have checked the facts of telangana’s progress in united AP. Do you know who prepared those stats. They are prepared by AP govt dominated by Andhras. 95% of head of depts in secretariate are from Seema-Andhra.(40% of AP population is from Telangana but only 5% of Head of depts are from Telangana). This one statistic is enough for seperationg. Reason for such disparity is discrimination of Andhra ruling elite. In last 30years only 1 year is ruled by CM from Telanana(only 6years out of last 55years AP ruled by CM from Telangana). All media channels are owned by Andhra people. Domination is everywhere. All courts are filled with Andhra judges.
Because of such domination, Telangana projects never get adequate attention. Telangana people are being discriminated in recruitment of govt jobs and promotions. AP govt favors Andhras in jobs, in awarding govt contracts, in awarding govt subsidies etc. Because of such encouragement from govt Andhras are getting richer and richer. Telangana people are stuck in poverty cycle.
Telangana people feared such domination and such injustice. Thats why they opposed merger in 1956. Even SRC in 1955 recommended to keep Telangana state(residual Hyderabad state) intact. They recommended to merge with Andhra only after 1961, ony if 2/3 of Telangana assembly vote for such merger. But with false promises and safeguards offered by Andhra leaders and pressure of central govt made Telangana leaders agree to the merger in 1956. But as expected none of those safeguards worked. Telangana people suffered because of the merger for 3 generations. We should not let this injustice to continue any longer.
According to central govt, except Hyderabad district, all other 9districts of Telangana are identified as most backward districts in India. I challenge you to compare the per capita income of Telangana people against per capita income of Andhra people in Hyderabad city. 90% of rich people in Hyderabad are Andhra people. They are rich because the biased policies of AP govt.
With status quo, Telangana people have no hope. All they are asking is to have the govt which does not discriminate them. They are not against Andhra people. They are asking for justice from central govt. They are asking central govt to correct the mistake (of Andhra and Tealngana merger) by forming Telangana state immediately.
Uday,
I am sorry but films reflect reality. If Telanganites instead of whining discrimination had they gone to schools and passed qualifying exams they would be in respectable position too. All I see from Telanganites is constant whining and jealousy. Anyways you are allowed to have your opinion.
PS: CM is andhrite because Telangana failed to produce a charismatic leader who could carry a party to victory in all three regions of Andhra Pradesh. Please take a note.
Mr Nayar Your strong emotions are overiding the objectiivty the Telangana struggle demands. Please respect teh sentiments of T People and it si better to come down from Ivory tower and look at the struggle. If you cannot do that the word would be netter served without you remarks on Telangana.
Dear Friends,
This is sudhakar from Hyderabad, What Kuldeep Nair is correct. Ok,
Kuldip Nayyar ji, You said you have checked the facts of telangana’s progress in united AP. Do you know who prepared those stats. They are prepared by AP govt. 95% of head of depts in secretariate are from Seema-Andhra.(40% of AP population is from Telangana). This one statistic is enough for seperationg. Reason for such disparity is discrimination of ruling elite. In last 30years only 1 year is ruled by CM from Telanana. All media channels are owned by Andhra people. Domination is everywhere. All courts are filled with Andhra judges.
Since such domination, Telangana projects never get adequate attention. Telangana people are being discriminated in recruitment of govt jobs and promotions. AP govt favors Andhras in jobs, in awarding govt contracts, in awarding govt subsidies etc. Since such encouragement Andhras are getting richer and richer. Telangana people are stuck in poverty cycle.
Telangana people were expecting such domination and such injustice. Thats why they opposed merger. Even 1st SRC recommended to keep Telangana state(residual Hyderabad state) intact. They recommended to merge only after 1961, ony of 2/3 of Telangana assembly vote for merger. But with false promises and safeguards offered by Andhra leaders they convinced some of the Telangana leaders to agree to the merger in 1956. But as expected none of those safeguards worked. Telangana people suffered because of the merger for 3 generations. We should not let this injustice to continue any longer.
According to central govt, except Hyderabad district, all other 9districts of Telangana are identified as most backward district. I challenge you to compare the per capital income of Telangana people vs Andhra people in Hyderabad. 90% of rich people in Hyderabad are Andhra people. They are rich because the biased policies of AP govt.
With status quo, Telangana people have no hope. All they are asking is the govt which does not discriminate them. They are not against Andhra people. They are asking for justice from central govt. They are asking central govt to correct the mistake (of Andhra and Tealngana merger) by forming Telangana state immediately.
I support Telangana
"After the lapse of nearly four decades, we, the Punjabis, feel that dividing the state was a mistake."
I am asking all my Punjabi brethren,do u agree to your kuldip nayar???
My dear sir Kuldip Nayar,sorry but ur article is too shallow and superficial.I am from Hyd,a normal Telanganite.Now what should i tell u Sir-Do u know when i switch on a TV i find people speaking my language(the urdu-ised Telugu) r shown as beggars,servants,jokers.When i go to a movie it is even worse.This has been happening ever since i was born.Now what should i do?bear it all???This is only one of the facets of T agitation,the cultural demolition.Now u say u have checked the facts of telangana's progress in united AP.Who is writing these???CM is an Andhrite,the DGP is an Andhrite,the CS of the state is an Andhrite,the intelligence chief is an Andhrite....it goes on and on until these pages r full.My request to u-donot believe what is written elsewhere,come to Telangana and see it all with ur own eyes!!!