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===== Movement in 1990-2004 =====
===== Movement in 1990-2004 =====
The emotions and forces generated by the movement, in 1969, were not strong enough, however, for a continuing drive for a separate state until 1990s when [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), promised a separate Telangana state if they came to power.[http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/24/stories/2010012455140100.htm] BJP created [[Jharkhand]], [[Chhattisgarh]] and [[Uttarkhand]] states in year 2000 as promised. But the BJP could not create a separate Telangana state because of the opposition from its coalition partner, [[Telugu Desam Party]].[http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article94173.ece] These developments brought new life into the separatist Telangana movement by year 2000. [[Congress party]] MLAs from the Telangana region, supported a separate Telangana state and formed the Telangana Congress Legislators Forum.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/08/12/stories/0412201q.htm |title= Sonia urged to back demand for separate Telangana |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |date= 2000-08-12 |accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/09/21/stories/02210008.htm |title= MLAs not to meet PM, Advani on Telangana |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2000-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/15/stories/04152013.htm |title= Telangana Cong. Forum warns of 'direct action' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/20/stories/0420201h.htm |title= 'Only Cong. can get separate Telangana' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/05/stories/04052011.htm|title= '25 Cong. MLAs pledge support for Telangana' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-25 |date= 2001-06-05}}</ref> In another development, a new party called [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] (or TRS) was formed with the single point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state, with Hyderabad as its capital lead by Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao popularly known as KCR.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ia.rediff.com/news/2001/may/17ap1.htm |title= Massive rally demands Telangana state |last= Amin Jafri |first= Syed |date= 2001-05-17 |accessdate=2008-02-16 |publisher= rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/19/stories/0419201x.htm |title= Telangana finds a new man and moment |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/12/15/stories/2002121502710400.htm |title= Statehood for Telangana on Cong. agenda: TCLF |last= Chandrakanth |first= W |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |work= Sothern States |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2002-12-15}}</ref>
The emotions and forces generated by the movement, in 1969, were not strong enough, however, for a continuing drive for a separate state until 1990s when [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), promised a separate Telangana state if they came to power.[http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/24/stories/2010012455140100.htm] BJP created [[Jharkhand]], [[Chhattisgarh]] and [[Uttarkhand]] states in year 2000 as promised. But the BJP could not create a separate Telangana state because of the opposition from its coalition partner, [[Telugu Desam Party]].[http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article94173.ece] These developments brought new life into the separatist Telangana movement by year 2000. [[Congress party]] MLAs from the Telangana region, supported a separate Telangana state and formed the Telangana Congress Legislators Forum.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/08/12/stories/0412201q.htm |title= Sonia urged to back demand for separate Telangana |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |date= 2000-08-12 |accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/09/21/stories/02210008.htm |title= MLAs not to meet PM, Advani on Telangana |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2000-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/15/stories/04152013.htm |title= Telangana Cong. Forum warns of 'direct action' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/20/stories/0420201h.htm |title= 'Only Cong. can get separate Telangana' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/06/05/stories/04052011.htm|title= '25 Cong. MLAs pledge support for Telangana' |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-25 |date= 2001-06-05}}</ref> In another development, a new party called [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] (or TRS) was formed with the single point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state, with Hyderabad as its capital lead by Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao popularly known as KCR.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://ia.rediff.com/news/2001/may/17ap1.htm |title= Massive rally demands Telangana state |last= Amin Jafri |first= Syed |date= 2001-05-17 |accessdate=2008-02-16 |publisher= rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/19/stories/0419201x.htm |title= Telangana finds a new man and moment |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2001-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/12/15/stories/2002121502710400.htm |title= Statehood for Telangana on Cong. agenda: TCLF |last= Chandrakanth |first= W |publisher= [[The Hindu]] |work= Sothern States |accessdate=2008-02-16 |date= 2002-12-15}}</ref>

=====Grievances of Telangana proponents=====
Telangana is the largest single region of the three regions of [[Andhra Pradesh]] state covering 41.47% of its total area, is inhabited by 40.54% of the state’s population, contributes about 76% to the state’s revenues(if you exclude center contribution). From Central govt: 19.86%, From Telangana: 61.47%(including 37.17% from capital), From Andhra: 14.71, From Rayalaseema: 3.90%. [http://www.andhrajyothy.com/editshow.asp?qry=/2008/feb/12edit3]. Among others, alleged injustices in water, budget allocations, jobs are the grievances cited by Telangana proponents.

'''Irrigation''': Within the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]],68.5% of catchment area of river Krishna and 69% of catchment area of river Godavari are in the Telangana region. The benefit of irrigation through the canal system under major irrigation projects is accruing substantially, i.e. 74.25%, to the [[Coastal Andhra]] region. While the share of Telangana is 18.20%, the remaining 7.55% goes to the [[Rayalaseema]] region. State's expenditure on Telangana’s major irrigation projects is just 18.20% of total expenditure.

'''Education''' : The share of Telangana as a percent of the total expenditure of the state on salaries of staff in educational institutions in 2001 is as follows:<br>
:i. Primary schools (government): 31.44%
:ii. Primary schools (aided): 9.86%
:iii. Degree colleges (government): 37.85%
:iv. Degree colleges (aided): 21.79%

Above numbers includes the expenditure in Capital Hyderabad.

'''Budget Allocations''': Expenditure incurred on this region has never been more than 25% to 30% of total expenditure of Andhra Pradesh. Most years, funds allocated to Telangana were never fully spent.

'''Jobs''': Only 20% of total Government employees, less than 10% employees in secretariate, less than 5% of head of the departments in Andhra Pradesh are from Telangana. In 1985, Government published G.O 610 to remove/transfer all the non-locals in government jobs in Telangana region, against the '''six point formula'''. By this time in 1985, 58,000 non-locals have occupied jobs in Telangana region. The Girglaini Commission set up in 2001, came up with a report that around 2 lakh govt. jobs in Telangana region are enjoyed by migrants from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. [http://www.telangana.org/Papers/Article10.pdf][http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/25/stories/2004052503490500.htm][http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/09/stories/2007070959780500.htm]

'''Political power''': Andhra Pradesh was ruled by Telangana [[List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh|chief ministers]] for only 6-1/2 years out of over five decades of its existence. No Telangana chief minister was in power continuously for more than 2-1/2 years. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chief_Ministers_of_Andhra_Pradesh][http://www.telangana.org/Papers/Article10.pdf]

'''Self respect''': Since, Dec 9th,2009, the developments have changed where legistlators from andhra and rayala seema threated central governament to withdraw their decision to form Telangana state. Central govt bowed to the pressure of Seemandhra leaders and took U-turn. It greatly hurt feelings of telangana people and fighting for their self respect. Telangana issue no more based on development now it is related to self-respect and telangana state is birth right of telangana people.
Proponents of a separate Telangana state feel all the agreements, accords, formulas, plans and assurances on the floor of legislature and Lok Sabha, in last 50+ years, could not be honoured and Telangana was forced to remain neglected, exploited and backward. They allege that the experiment to remain as one state proved to be a futile exercise and therefore, separation is found to be the best solution.<ref>http://www.telangana.org/Papers.asp</ref><ref>[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4139882072561017394 Still seeking justice(30min video)]</ref><ref>http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/std_pattrnAP.pdf</ref>
[http://ourtelangana.com/content/108-facts-against-million-lies-satosh-vemula]


=====2004 and later =====
=====2004 and later =====

Revision as of 13:52, 15 February 2010

Location of Telangana region
File:Hyderabad india .jpg
Hyderabad is the largest city in the Telangana region

Telangana (Telugu: తెలంగాణ) is a region of the Andhra Pradesh state in India. It has area of 1,14,840 km2. and its population is 3,06,96,520 according to the 2001 census. The name means "land of Telugu people". It consists of the Telugu speaking parts of the state of Hyderabad. The region lies on the Deccan plateau to the west of the Eastern Ghats range, and includes the northwestern interior districts of Andhra Pradesh state. Telangana region has 10 districts. They are Warangal, Adilabad, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, and the state capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. The Krishna and Godavari rivers flow through the region from west to east.

On December 9, 2009, the Government of India announced that the process for the formation of Telangana state will be initiated upon introduction and passage of a separation statement by the state assembly of AP.[1] The Government of India has constituted a five member committee to look into the demand of a separate Telangana headed by Justice BN Krishna[2]

History

The Telangana region was the heart of numerous dynasties. Chowmahalla Palace was home to the Nizams of Hyderabad state

The Telangana region is believed to have been mentioned in the Mahabharata as the Telinga Kingdom[citation needed] which is said to have been inhabited by the tribe known as Telavana,who fought on the Pandava side in the great war of Mahabharata. There is also Pandavula Guhalu in Warangal district (where the Pandavas spent their life in exile (Lakkha Gruham).[citation needed]

In Treta yuga, it is believed that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, spent their life in exile at Parnashala on the banks of Godavari river which is about 25 km from Bhadrachalam in Khammam District which falls in the Telangana region.

Telangana region has been heartland for many great dynasties like Sathavahanas and Kakatiyas. Kotilingala in Karimnagar was the first capital of the Sathavahanas before Dharanikota. Excavations at Kotilingala revealed coinage of Simukha, a Satavahana emperor.

The region experienced its golden age during the reign of the Kakatiyas, a great Telugu dynasty that ruled most parts of what is now Andhra Pradesh, India from 1083 CE to 1323. Ganapatideva was known as the greatest of the Kakatiyas and the first after the Satavahanas to bring the entire Telugu area under one rule. He put an end to the rule of the Cholas in the year 1210 who accepted his suzerainty. He established order in his vast dominion that stretched from the Godavari delta and Anakapalle in the east to Raichur (in modern day Karnataka) in the west and from Karimnagar & Bastar (in modern day Chattisgarh) in the north to Srisailam & Tripurantakam, near Ongole in the south. It was also during his reign that the Golkonda fort was first constructed by the Kakatiyas. Rani Rudramadevi and Prataparudra were great kings from Kakatiya dynasty.

Telangana, then came under Muslim rule in 14th century for the first time by Delhi Sultanate followed by Bahmanis, Qutb Shahis and Mughals. As the Mughal Empire began to disintegrate in the early 18th century, the Muslim Asafjahi dynasty established a separate state known as Hyderabad. Later Hyderabad entered into a treaty of subsidiary alliance with the British Empire, and was the largest and most populous princely state in India. Telangana was never under direct British rule, unlike Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, which were part of British India's Madras Presidency.

Post-independence history

When India became independent from the British Empire, the Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain his independence, but the Government of India amalgamated his state by force on September 17, 1948; after executing Operation Polo by the Indian Army. When India became independent, the Telugu-speaking people were distributed in about 22 districts; 9 of them in the Telangana region of Nizam's Dominions (Hyderabad State), 12 in the Madras Presidency (Andhra region) and one in French-controlled Yanam. A Communist led peasant revolt started in 1946, lasted until 1951.

The central government appointed a civil servant, Keralite, Vellodi Narayana Menon K as Chief Minister of Hyderabad state on 26 January 1950. He administered the state with the help of bureaucrats from Madras state and Bombay state. In 1952, Telangana had tasted democracy for the first time when it participated in general elections and elected Dr.Burgula Ramakrishna Rao as the Chief minister of Hyderabad State. The Telugu speaking people in Madras state(Andhra region), which was part of British India), enjoyed some form of democracy since 1920. During this time there was violent mulki agitation by Telanganites to send back bureaucrats from Madras state and to implement Mulki rules strictly.[3]

Meanwhile, Telugu speaking areas (Andhra region), were carved out of an erstwhile Madras state by popular agitation by legendary leaders like Potti Sri Ramulu to create the separate Andhra State in 1953.[1][4][5]

Merger of Telangana and Andhra

In December 1953, the States Reorganization Commission was appointed to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was not in favour of an immediate merger of Telangana region with Andhra state, despite the common language between the two.

Para 382 of States Reorganization Commission Report (SRC) said "opinion in Andhra is overwhelmingly in favour of the larger unit, public opinion in Telangana has still to crystallize itself. Important leaders of public opinion in Andhra themselves seem to appreciate that the unification of Telangana with Andhra, though desirable, should be based on a voluntary and willing association of the people and that it is primarily for the people of Telangana to take a decision about their future". Telanganas had several concerns. The region had a less developed economy than Andhra, but with a larger revenue base (mostly because it taxed rather than prohibited alcoholic beverages), which Telanganas feared might be diverted for use in Andhra. They also feared that planned dam projects on the Krishna and Godavari rivers would not benefit Telangana proportionately even though Telanganas controlled the headwaters of the rivers. Telanganas feared too that the people of Andhra who had access to higher education, would have the advantage in government and educational jobs.

The commission proposed that the Telangana region be constituted as a separate state with a provision for unification with Andhra state, after the 1961 general elections, if a resolution could be passed in the Telangana state assembly with two-third majority.

Chief Minister of Hyderabad State, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao strongly believed majority of Telangana people were against the merger.[6]

Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru initially ridiculed the idea of merging Telangana with the Andhra State, fearing a “tint of expansionist imperialism” in it. Later, he compared the merger to a matrimonial alliance having “provisions for divorce” if the partners in the alliance cannot get on well.[7]

However, following the "Gentlemen's agreement, the central government, established a unified Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956 [2][8][9]. The agreement provided reassurances to both parties in terms of power sharing as well as administrative domicile rules and distribution of expenses of various regions.

Separate Telangana state movement

1969 Movement

In the following years after the formation of Andhra Pradesh state, however, Telangana people had a number of complaints about how the agreements and guarantees were implemented. Discontent with the 1956 Gentleman's agreement intensified in January 1969 when the guarantees that had been agreed on were supposed to lapse. Student agitation for the continuation of the agreement began at Osmania University in Hyderabad and spread to other parts of the region. Government employees and opposition members of the state legislative assembly swiftly threatened "direct action" in support of the students. This movement, also known as Telangana movement, led to widespread violence and deaths of hundreds of people including 360 students.[10]

Although the Congress faced some dissension within its ranks, its leadership stood against additional linguistic states, which were regarded as "anti-national." As a result, defectors from the Congress, led by M. Chenna Reddy, founded the Telangana People's Association (Telangana Praja Samithi). Despite electoral successes, however, some of the new party leaders gave up their agitation in September 1971 and, much to the disgust of many separatists, rejoined the safer political haven of the Congress ranks.[3]

During the movement Government promised to correct the violation to Gentleman's agreement in jobs, budget allocations, educational facilities[4]. Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was strongly against the division of the state but on her recommendation, P. V. Narasimha Rao became first Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh from Telangana on September 30, 1971.[5][6] [7]

Still some of the extremist leaders who were not the Congress men remained in the cause. The non Congress men formed the STPS (Samyukta Telangana Praja Samiti) Leader include, Badri Vishal Pitti, Sada Laxmi, Konda Laxman etc. under leadership of Sridhar Reddy, student leader.[citation needed]

In the year 1972, all candidates belonging to STPS under the leadership of M Sridhar Reddy contested the assembly elections, however, only Mr Thakkalapalli Purushotham Rao got elected from Wardhannapet constituency of Warangal District and rest were defeated. In 1969, Mr Purushotham Rao unveiled Telangana map in the state assembly.[11]

At the end of 1972, when the Supreme Court upheld the Mulki rules, Jai Andhra movement started in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions protesting the protections mentioned in the Gentleman's agreement.[8] P. V. Narasimha Rao had to resign as Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh on January 10, 1973. President's rule was declared in the state. Finally, a political settlement was arrived at under the aegis of the Central Government. A Six-Point Formula was agreed upon by the leaders of the two regions to prevent any recurrence of such agitations in future. The `Six-Point Formula' included (1) the abolition of Mulki rules and the Telangana Regional Committee (protections mentioned in the Gentleman's agreement) and (2) the establishment of a Central University at Hyderabad to augment educational facilities. (3) In regards to jobs, state divided into six zones, within the framework of three regions, namely, Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, and Telangana (Zone V, and Zone VI) with Hyderabad under Zone VI. Each zone should prefer local candidates for state government jobs. However according to GOM, the regions were rezoned with Zone I,II,III Coastal Andhra, Zone IV Rayalaseema, Zone V,IV Telangana. [9][10][11]

Movement in 1990-2004

The emotions and forces generated by the movement, in 1969, were not strong enough, however, for a continuing drive for a separate state until 1990s when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), promised a separate Telangana state if they came to power.[12] BJP created Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarkhand states in year 2000 as promised. But the BJP could not create a separate Telangana state because of the opposition from its coalition partner, Telugu Desam Party.[13] These developments brought new life into the separatist Telangana movement by year 2000. Congress party MLAs from the Telangana region, supported a separate Telangana state and formed the Telangana Congress Legislators Forum.[12][13][14][15][16] In another development, a new party called Telangana Rashtra Samithi (or TRS) was formed with the single point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state, with Hyderabad as its capital lead by Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao popularly known as KCR.[17][18][19]

2004 and later

In 2004, for Assembly and Parliament elections, the Congress party and the TRS had an electoral alliance in the Telangana region with the promise of a separate Telangana State.[20] Congress came to power in the state and formed a coalition government at the centre. TRS joined the coalition government in 2004 and was successful in making a separate Telangana state a part of the common minimum program (CMP) of the coalition government.[21] In September 2006 TRS withdrew support for the Congress led coalition government at the centre on the grounds of indecision by the government over the delivery of its electoral promise to create Telangana.[22][23][24]

In December 2006, the TRS won the by-election to the Karimnagar parliamentary constituency with a record margin.[25]

There was pressure on the Congress party to create a Telangana state in 2008.[26][27][28]

All TRS legislators in Parliament and in State (4MPs, 16MLAs, 3MLCs) resigned in the 1st week of March 2008 and forced by-elections to increase the pressure on Congress party, and to intensify the movement.[29][30]

By-elections for the 16 MLA seats, 4 MP seats were held May 29, 2008. During the election campaign, the TRS party said it is a referendum on a Telangana state but both Congress and TDP parties said it is not a referendum on Telangana and also said that they are not opposed to the formation of Telangana state.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] To the disappointment of Telangana proponents, the TRS retained only 7 out of 16 MLA seats and 2 out of 4 MP seats after the by-elections.[41]

In June 2008, Devender Goud, who is considered number two in the TDP, a politbureau member and Deputy Leader of the Telugu Desam Legislature Party, resigned from the party saying he would devote his time and energy to the formation of a separate Teelangana state.[42] In July 2008, Mr Goud along with some other leaders like Mr. E Peddi Reddy formed a new party called Nava Telangana Praja Party.[43]

On 9 October 2008, in a historical turnaround from its 26-year history TDP announced its support for the creation of Telangana.[44]

The Nava Telangana Party, led by the former home minister of Andhra Pradesh, T Devender Goud, declared Telangana as a separate province within India on November 2, 2008. Konda Laxman Bapuji announced that "We solemnly declare statehood for Telangana on November 2, 2008." [45]

2009 and later

In February 2009, state government declared that it had no objection, in principle, to the formation of separate Telangana and that the time had come to move forward decisively on this issue. To resolve issues related to it the government constituted joint house committee.[46]

Ahead of the 2009 General Elections in India all the major parties in Andhra Pradesh supported the formation of Telangana.[47] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) again announced their policy of having smaller states and would create two states, Telangana and Gorkhaland, if they won the election.[48]. The Congress Party still says it is committed to Telangana statehood,[49] but claims Muslim minorities are opposed to creation of separate state along with majority of people. Some analysts, however, feel that the "Muslim reluctance card" has been very smartly played by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who is staunchly opposed to the formation of the new state.[50][51]

The Telugu Desam Party(TDP) has promised to work for Telangana statehood. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) joined a Mahakutami (or grand alliance) with TDP and left parties to defeat the Congress party for denying statehood for Telangana.[52][53][54]

The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), newly founded by film star Chiranjeevi, supported Telangana statehood prior to elections, but after sensing the public desire for a united Andhra Pradesh later changed its stance.[55] Nava Telangana Party merged with PRP after it realized that there is not enough political space for two sub-regional Telangana parties with Telananga statehood as main agenda.[56][57]

Several political parties, including some Telangana congress leaders, criticized Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), when he changed his stand from pro-Telangana and gave anti-separation statements after the polls.[58][59][60]

Congress returned to power both at center and state.

In September 2009, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) died in a helicopter crash while flying in bad weather.[61]

In the first week of Dec 2009, the TRS president, K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) started a fast-unto-death demanding that the Congress party introduce a Telangana bill in the Parliament.[62][63][64][65][66] Student organizations, employee unions and various organizations joined the movement.[67][68] [69] Telangana strikes shut down Telangana on Dec 6th and 7th.[70] Student organizations planned a massive rally at the state Assembly on Dec 10th. Government warned that the rally did not have permission and deployed police troops through out Telangana. [71] The apparent decline in KCR's health led to a sense of urgency to take a decision on the issue of Telangana statehood. [72] [73]

Proposed Telangana State Formation Process

On December 9, 2009, Mr. P. Chidambaram, the Union Minister of Home Affairs announced that the Indian government would start the process of forming a separate Telangana state, pending the introduction and passage of a separation resolution in the Andhra Pradesh assembly.[74] KCR thus ended his 11 day fast, saying from his hospital bed that this was a true victory of the people of Telangana.

People from Telangana celebrated the central government decision while those from the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions (Andhra region) protested.[75][76]. In fact, within a short time of the Home Minister's declaration, sensing the public mood, MLAs from the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions (Andhra region) submitted their resignations in protest of the process of creation of a new state within Andhra Pradesh.[77] By the 16th of December, at least 147 legislators (including Praja Rajyam Founder Chiranjeevi[78]) and many Members of Parliament had resigned in protest of the Government's decision to begin discussions on forming a new state of Telangana. 22 Ministers from the State Cabinet, all from Andhra (Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema) regions submitted their resignations.[79].[80] [81]

On December 16, media reports confirmed that there was a split in the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) over the Telangana issue, with its leader Chiranjeevi as well as 16 out of 18 party MLAs(the remaining 2 hailed from Telangana) opposing the division of Andhra Pradesh while Telangana leaders in the party were unhappy with the shift in the party's views.[82][83][84]

On December 23, the Government of India announced that no action on Telangana will be taken until a consensus is reached by all parties. The TRS reacted by calling for another bandh (general strike) on 24th Dec '09, an action aimed at stalling the regional economy.

A Joint Action Committee(JAC) was formed with the pro-separation members of the major political parties. There were reports that members of the JAC had widely divergent approaches on the issue of a separate Telangana.[85][86][87] Subsequently, Andhra (Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema) region MLAs started withdrawing their resignations while MLAs and ministers from Telangana started submitting their resignations, demanding the Centre to take immediate steps to initiate the process of bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.[88] [89]. The Home minister had an all party meeting on the 5th of January to elicit views of all parties in the State. Further, on the advice of Congress party's central leadership, all of the Ministers from Telangana withdrew their resignations.[90] Rallies, hunger strikes, suicides continue, sometimes turning violent, through out Telangana to protest against the delay in bifurcating the State.[91] The all-party Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) started relay hunger strikes and threatened resignations of all legislators on Jan 28, demanding the Centre to spell out its stand on separate Telangana and start the process of creating the State within a timeframe. [92] The Union minister for Home Affairs P Chidambaram announced on January 28 that a Committee to examine the demand for a separate Telangana would be announced after a week. [14][15] On the 3rd February the government announced the 5 member committee that wwould look into the issue of Bifurcation of state. [16]

The Telangana Joint Action Committee said the agitations would continue till a Bill was passed in Parliament for the formation of a Telangana State. Agitation involved human chains, community kitchens on roads, amongst others[93] On Feb 3rd JAC organized a longest human chain in India, a distance of 500 km, from north to South in Telangana.[94]

The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has supported a separate Telangana state by giving the slogan, "Justice for Telangana and Telangana for Justice"[95][96] The Jamaat with its student wing Students Islamic Organisation of India organised a large rally at Nizam college grounds on February 7th, 2010.

On February 12, Central government announced Terms of Referenceto B.N.Srikrishna Committee with a deadline of December 31, 2010. Telangana-JAC rejected the terms of reference saying that it undid Union home minister's statement in New Delhi on December 9, 2009.[97]

Geography

Telangana region marked in white within the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Of the three regions of the state,[98] Telangana has the largest area, with 8,14,800  km2.The Telangana plateau is drained by two major rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna. The entire region is divided into two main regions namely ghats and peneplains. The surface is dotted with low depressions.

Natural Resources (Rivers, Coal, Limestones, Forests)

Telangana region Andhra Pradesh is situated in the central stretch of the eastern seaboard of the Indian Peninsula. The river Godavari is flowing on the North and the river Krishna is flowing on the South. 69% of Krishna River and 79% of Godavari River catchment area is in Telangana. Apart from the major rivers, there are other small rivers such as Manair, Bhima, Dindi, Kinnerasani, Manjeera, Munneru, Moosi, Penganga, Praanahita, and Peddavagu and Taliperu.

Forests: 45% of the forest area in the state is in Telangana region spread across five districts.

Coal: 20% of the coal deposits in the country is in Telangana region. Singareni Collaries excavate Coal and used it for industrial purposes and for thermal power stations. The coal supplied from this region, and the power produced is supplied to entire south india.

Limestones: There are limestone deposits in the region, which cater to cement factories in the region. Telangana also has got other resources like bauxite, and mica.

Demography

9 out of 10 districts in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh are recognized by the Government of India as backward [99]. According to the Backword Regions Grant Fund 2009-10, 13 districts are located in Andhra Pradesh, 9 are from Telangana and the rest are from other regions[100].

Culture and Identity

Hyderabadi biryani

Telangana has its own distinctive culture and identity. Most prominent is the Hyderabadi Culture also called Deccan Culture.[101][102] Telugu language spoken here has evolved into a new dialect with a liberal mixture of words from Urdu. Telugu language is the major language spoken while Hindi is spoken by people from other states of North India and Central India like Gujarat and Maharashtra. Telugu language and English language are official languages of the region.

Festivals: Diwali, Dassera, Eid-ul-Fitr and Ugadi are prominent festivals in Telangana. The region celebrates distinctive festivals like Bathukamma, and Bonalu. The other festivals of Hindu and Muslims such as Holi, Rakhi and Moharram are also celebrated with equal enthusiasm as in northern India. The national festival Sankranti is also celebrated in the beginning of harvest season on 14 January every year.

Places of interest

Golkonda fort overlooking CityHyderabad
Osman Sagar, Gandipet Lake
  • Hyderabad
  • Charminar - the iconic 400 year-old landmark of Hyderabad, featuring four graceful minarets.
  • Falaknuma Palace - Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra', a beautiful and stunning piece of architecture.
  • Golconda Fort - located on the outskirts of the city, Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India.
  • Salar Jung Museum - houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world.
  • Makkah Masjid - a stone-built mosque, one of the largest in India, located next to the Charminar.
  • Birla Mandir - An elaborate white marble temple with majestic views of the city and the Husain Sagar (lake).
  • Birla Planetarium - located in the heart of the city on the panoramic hillock of Nawbat Pahad.
  • Husain Sagar - man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
  • Durgam Cheruvu - A beautiful lake near HI-TEC city.
  • Chilkur Balaji Temple, also known as Visa Balaji Temple
  • Osman Sagar, also known as Gandipet, is a lake near the city.
  • NTR Gardens, a recreation park,located on the tankbund.
  • Purani Haveli - The former official residence of the Nizam.
  • Shilpakala Vedika - An outstanding venue for all types of events - local, national and international.
  • Sanghi Temple - A temple dedicated to Venkateshwara which graces a promontory overlooking Sanghi Nagar.
  • Ashtalaxmi Temple - Ashtalakshmi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, is in Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad
  • Mahankali Temple - A temple located near Secunderabad Railway station, Famous for Bonalu Fest in Hyderabad.
  • Snow World - An amusement park which enables citizens of this tropical city to experience very low temperatures and snow
  • Madhapur - Home to the IT world of Hyderabad.
  • Nagarjuna sagar on krishna river in Nalgonda district
  • TankBund-A water place constructed by NIZAM.
  • Sreeramsagar project on Godavari river in Nizamabad district
  • Beechupally (Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple)
  • Alampoor (one of the eighteen shaktipeetams)
  • Warangal, capital city of Kakatiyas
  • Warangal Fort, Built by Kakatiyas between 11-12th centuries
  • Warangal - Bhadrakali Temple, and Thousand Pillared Temples, These two temples built by Kakatiyas are visited by People from all over AP
  • Warangal - Ramappa Temple, Famous for its brilliant Kakatiya art
  • Warangal - Pakhal Lake, A man-made lake built in 1213 by the Kakatiya king, Ganapathideva, by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River. It is located 50 km from Warangal and spreads over an area of 30 km.
  • Basara Saraswathi Temple, a temple of Saraswati, one of the two temples in India, which is located in Adilabad Dist Temple Web site
  • Badrachalam Sri Rama Temple
  • Papi Kondalu
  • Badrachalam Parnashala
  • Singareni Coal Mines
  • National forests and Wildlife Sanctuaries: Pakhala, Eturunagaram, Pranahitha, Kinnerasani, kawal, Pocharam
  • Anathagiri Forest - Famous for Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy located on Ananthagiri Hills Temple website (Vikarabad - 70 km from Hyderabad)
  • Medak: Famous for outstanding church & Medak khila
  • Pillala Marri: A big tree which is spread across 5 acres in Mahaboob Nagar district
  • Bhadrachalam: Famous for Lord Rama Temple, Was part of East Godavari Dist but redistrcited to Khamman District
  • Bhongir fort:Famous single stone hill with fort , 45 km from Hyderabad (Wgl-Hyd highway)
  • Yadagirigutta: Famous Laxmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, 50 km from Hyderabad (Wgl-Hyd highway)
  • Kaleshwaram : 130 km from Karimnagar
  • Dharmapuri : On the banks of River Godavari, 78 km from Karimnagar, is the 15th century temple town of Dharmapuri.
  • Nagunur Fort : The village of Nagunur is just about 8 km from Karimnagar Town.
  • Dhulikatta : 20 km from Karimnagar is Dhulikatta an important Buddhist spot visited by monks from all over the world.
  • Kondagattu :About 35 km from Karimnagar is this breathtaking temple of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Apart from the temple, the fort of Kondalaraya & Bojjapotana caves are worth seeing at Kondagattu.
  • Molangoor Quilla : 30 km from Karimnagar, strategically located on summit of a big isolated granite hill, this fort was built by the Kakathiyas.
  • Manthani : is an extremely ancient center for Vedic teachings. It is located on the banks of River Godavari, and at a distance of 70 kilometers from Karimnagar.
  • Vemulawada - Rajarajeshawara Temple: Located 38 km from Karimnagar
  • Uma Maheshwaram - About 120 km from Hyderabad on Srisailam highway. It is the North Entrance for Sri Sailam Mallikarjuna swamy temple. It is famous for its shiva temple.
  • Gadwal Fort, Gadwal is built around a fort built by the Gadwal ruler somanadri
  • Priyadarshini Jurala Project,near to Gadwal built on river Krishna.
  • Gudem, The famous temple of Shri Satyanarayana swamy which is on the bank of Godavari river in Adilabad dist. Near about 35-40 KM from Mancherial Town.
  • Karemari guttalu, A famous Unknown and un developed hills which need a lime light to attract tourists.Located in adilabad dist.
  • kuntala water falls located in adilabad dist
  • Nalgonda - Chaya Ramaligeswara Temple - one shadow forms for two pillars at any part of day and is considered as amazing piece of architecture and is unsolved riddle to date.
  • Nagarjuna Konda - A prominent place for Budhists

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/13/stories/2009121359870800.htm
  2. ^ http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/telangana-committee-to-be-headed-by-justice-b-n-srikrishna/84823/on
  3. ^ Mulki agitation in Hyderabad state
  4. ^ Fasting Sriramulu passes away
  5. ^ Andhra State formed
  6. ^ Hyderabad CM's Views on merger
  7. ^ Reorganisation, then and now
  8. ^ Andhra Pradesh to be formed with safeguards to Telangana
  9. ^ Andhra Pradesh formed
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  29. ^ 4 TRS members quit Lok Sabha
  30. ^ 16 TRS MLAs, 3 MLCs resign
  31. ^ Cong, TDP say Jai Telangana
  32. ^ PCC chief confident about Congress win
  33. ^ TRS will lose in all 16 constituencies: Srinivas
  34. ^ Sentiment won’t be diluted if TRS seats decline: YSR
  35. ^ Party’s stand on Telangana clear: YSR
  36. ^ Teach the betrayers a fitting lesson, says Naidu
  37. ^ Naidu launches campaign in Karimnagar
  38. ^ CPI differs with CPI(M) on forging of alliances
  39. ^ Congress not against Telangana: Nirmal MLA
  40. ^ Bypolls not related to Telangana: Jeevan Reddy
  41. ^ Telangana result: Congress upbeat
  42. ^ Devender Goud quits Telugu Desam Party
  43. ^ Devendra Goud’s outfit is Nava Telangana Praja Party
  44. ^ TDP announces support to creation of Telangana state
  45. ^ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Goud-declares-Telangana-separate-state/380654/
  46. ^ Telangana: YSR moots joint panel
  47. ^ Why it is Telangana that holds the key?
  48. ^ The Hindu article on BJP's policy of creating more states
  49. ^ Congress: Grand Alliance has no credibility on Telangana
  50. ^ Minorities opposed to creation of Telangana: YSR
  51. ^ YSR using minority card to stop Telangana
  52. ^ TDP promise T-State
  53. ^ CPI for T-State
  54. ^ Vote out Congress: KCR
  55. ^ BBC News
  56. ^ NTP merges with PRP
  57. ^ PRP for T-state
  58. ^ YSR provoking Rayalaseema people against Telangana after first phase of elections'09(youtube video in telugu)
  59. ^ YSR asks voters to be wary of TRS
  60. ^ YSR’s remarks on Telangana touch off political row
  61. ^ Andhra Pradesh CM YSR Reddy dead in chopper crash
  62. ^ KCR to launch fast on Nov. 29
  63. ^ KCR arrest ahead of his proposed indefinite hunger strike
  64. ^ TRS activist attempts self- immolation, critical
  65. ^ Government forcibly administers saline to end KCR's fast
  66. ^ KCR protest confuses miners
  67. ^ OU turns hotspot of students’ angst
  68. ^ Colleges in Telangana closed for 15 days
  69. ^ Constable shoots himself, dies
  70. ^ Telangana bandh total on first day
  71. ^ Thousands of Indian police deployed for Hyderabad rally
  72. ^ BJP forces Rajya Sabha adjournment on Telangana issue
  73. ^ Parliament concerned over KCR health
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  75. ^ It is freedom at midnight
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  79. ^ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126088048083191981.html
  80. ^ Chaos engulfs Andhra, MLAs continue to quit
  81. ^ Protests and resignations in Andhra
  82. ^ Chiranjeevi quits as MLA for united Andhra Pradesh
  83. ^ Chiranjeevi faces student wrath
  84. ^ Chiranjeevi's party heading for split over Telangana
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  87. ^ TDP joins JAC
  88. ^ Telangana crisis: 13 AP ministers resign, send letter to Sonia
  89. ^ MLAs from Telangana resign
  90. ^ Telangana Ministers Withdraw Resignations While Legislators Stick With JAC
  91. ^ Students, police clash in Osmania University
  92. ^ Stick to Jan. 28 deadline to quit: Telangana JAC tells legislators
  93. ^ Pro-Telangana agitation to continue: JAC
  94. ^ 'Longest human chain' formed for Telangana
  95. ^ http://www.zeenews.com/news598635.html
  96. ^ http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-42914.html
  97. ^ T-JAC rejects Terms of reference
  98. ^ Andhra Pradesh District Map
  99. ^ http://brgf.gov.in/brgfdistricts.html
  100. ^ http://brgf.gov.in/brgfdistricts.asp
  101. ^ Hyderabadi Culture
  102. ^ Hyderabadi Cultural Spirit

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