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Chidambaram's full speech at Telangana Meeting, New Delhi, 5th January 2010

4. January 2010 by close to reality 8 Comments

After creating havoc in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Consultations with eight  recognised political parties of Andhra Pradesh on the issues arising out of the recent agitations in the State in favour of and against the separate state of Telangana began here today.  In his opening statement at the meeting, the Union Home Minister, Shri P.Chidambaram stressed the need to maintain peace and harmony in the State while the consultations take place.  Following is the text of his statement :-

            “I welcome you to this consultation on the issues arising out of the recent agitations in Andhra Pradesh in favour of and against a separate State of Telangana.  

            We have invited the eight recognised political parties in Andhra Pradesh to this consultation.  The founding fathers believed – and we believe – that parliamentary democracy is the best form of representative government and has the capacity to find solutions to all issues and problems.  Debate, discussion and consultation are the best means to resolve differences and find answers. Political parties are integral to a parliamentary form of democracy.  The wishes and aspirations of the people are reflected by the political parties.  The argument that parliamentary democracy can be sustained without political parties is an argument that has to be stated to be rejected.  Each one of you represents a recognised political party and, therefore, I would respectfully submit that each one of you bears a responsibility to help in resolving the differences and finding appropriate answers. 

            There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the issues that have brought us here today.  There is a misconception that the Central Government acted in haste; that the political parties were not consulted; and that I, as Home Minister, acted as an individual.  As you are well aware, none of these misconceptions is supported by facts, but I shall not waste your time refuting these misconceptions.

             You are all aware of the long history behind the demand for a separate State of Telangana.  It is sufficient to refer to the report of the States Reorganisation Commission; the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956 and the amendment of Article 371(1) of the Constitution; the Six Point Formula of 1973; and the introduction of Article 371D in the Constitution.  More recently, in the elections to the State Assembly of Andhra Pradesh held in May, 2009, the political parties outlined their positions in their respective election manifestos.  All this is in the public domain.

             The Central Government was concerned when an agitation was started in November, 2009 demanding a separate State of Telangana.  Quite rightly, the political parties in Andhra Pradesh were the first responders to the agitation.  You are aware of the proceedings of the Business Advisory Committee of the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly on December 7, 2009 followed by the proceedings of the all party meeting convened by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh later in the evening of the same day.

             I wish to reiterate that the first statement on behalf of the Central Government was made on the basis of the minutes of the all party meeting held on December 7, 2009.

             It is true that the situation on the ground has altered significantly since the all party meeting of December 7, 2009 and the first statement on behalf of the Central Government on December 9, 2009.  Taking note of the altered situation, on December 23, 2009, the Central Government promised to hold wide ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in Andhra Pradesh.  It is therefore that we have convened this meeting of the recognised political parties.  As stated in my letter to you, the agenda is to “deliberate on the mechanism and lay down a road map for the consultations.”

            I urge each of the political parties represented here to show accommodation and goodwill.  Ultimately, you must find the answers and you must help the Central Government find a solution.  The agenda for this meeting may appear limited, but I am confident that if we take one step at a time we will, eventually, find a solution.  I request you, therefore, to give your views on the agenda.  What is the mechanism that you visualise for the consultations with all political parties and groups in Andhra Pradesh?  What is the road map for such consultations?

             While we deliberate on these issues and take forward the process of consultations, we must recognise the fundamental importance of restoring normalcy in Andhra Pradesh.  There must be a halt to agitations and bandhs.  Law and order must be maintained. Children must go to schools and colleges.  People must be allowed to carry on their normal day-to-day activities.  Government must be able to focus on development and the welfare of the people.   It is in the interest of all sections of the people of Andhra Pradesh that peace and harmony prevail while the consultations take place.  I wish to caution all political parties that there are forces waiting on the wings who ridicule the parliamentary form of democracy and who would be happy if we collectively fail to find answers to the issues that concern us, and we should not give any room for these forces to gain strength or credence.

            Let me conclude by saying that let us demonstrate the strength of our democracy and the capacity of our political parties to resolve differences and find solutions.  I shall now ask each of the political parties to place their views on the agenda before us.” 

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Comments

AP NRI
United States AP NRI said:

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.

Abdul Khadir
India Abdul Khadir said:

This article is absurd and completly baised view of anti-telangana.I am born and brought up in Telangana, in this region there is completly hatredness for Andhra people.The Telangana movement is not politically motivated and also not KCRs.KCR is utilizing Telangana sentiment.I you look history  "Telangana Movement" is not a new one / created by KCR. This fight is since last 50 years.If you are intrested for united telugu feeling it is good to allow Telangana state formation and then try to improve brotherhood feeling among telugu speaking people.I once again stress that now this movement has become "People's movement".

vijay
India vijay said:

I think you must fight for development and not for state..we are telugu and we should live as telugu.we should not put our nose to political games..

Manjunath
India Manjunath said:

Hi

I don't condemn any of the above statements. But i would like to express my feelings about this issue.

Seperation is the only way for the development in telangana? I don't think so.

If you think clearly with out any regional feelings it is advantage to political people than the other normal and common people.

My sincere advice to students:- Please don't involve in such absurd movements from which you will get nothing but spoiling the state's value. Even if you get seperate telengana it will be ruled by KCR. Then there is no scope for the development i can say that very firmly.

I belong to warangal district and i don't want to be seperated from andhra pradesh i vote for united andhra pradesh.

Thanks & Regards,
Manjunath C

SNsastry
India SNsastry said:


Dear Friends

My garnd father belonged to Telangana. My father was born in Telangana. My father moved to rayalaseema and stayed there. I was born in Kurnool but I grdauated from Gadwal- Osmania university. My duaghter was born Gujarat and currently we live in MP. I am feeling ashmed that my brothers and sisters of AP  are fighting like street---There is no harm in divsion or being united .Pl talk to each one like brothers and sisters. The whole India is looking at us. Learn to respect each other. It is not that entire Telangana is not developed or entire entire Andhra and rayalaseema are developed. sit together my dear freinds and talk like family members.

All the best to all the AP brothers and sisters

Regards

S N Sastry

abdul khadir
India abdul khadir said:

There is clear division between people of Andhra and Telangana. I dont see why there shouldn't be division when Telangana people are against since the formation of AP state.People who are for united Andhra are in one of the category
1. Invested in real estate at Hyderabad.
2. Holding govt jobs and are placed in Telangana region ( almost of 50% of Telananga jobs are accupied by non-Telangana people.
3. Dealing with business with-in Telananga region
4. Can't survive in Andhra.

It is not correct time for united andhra slogan but it is apt time for lessen hatred ness between two regions and solve this issue.
People who are commenting for united andhra are like spectators making comments from off the field. Please once go and vist Telangana region where you can easily see that eevry family is supporting Telangana statehood.
When there are 5 states for hindi speaking people why can't we have two states of Telugu speaking people.

Close To Reality
United States Close To Reality said:

@ Abdul Khadir

check this and let us know why anyone need a separate state?
anigalla.net/.../...-of-United-Andhra-Pradesh.aspx

to bring down the number of MPs sitting in the parliament from Andhra Pradesh and make our lives miserable by begging for the approvals of bigger projects?

rachana
India rachana said:

to the every responsible citizen of our nation,
see,division is not the only solution.being united can make us the best in the world.please try not to fight with each other rather help each other!!!!!!!!!!!

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