The state of Andhra Pradesh emerged as a result of merger of Andhra and Hyderabad State (Telangana being a part of Hyderabad state) in 1956. Along with it an assurance of safeguards was given to the people to Telangana through Gentleman's Agreement on 01st November, 1956.
In year 1969, the people of Telangana showed dissatisfaction with the government not honouring the Gentleman's Agreement. As a result agitations started in Andhra Pradesh for a demand of separate state of Telangana.
In 1973, political parties of Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalseema region and Central Government reached to a settlement through six-point formula which was legalized through 32nd amendment to the Constitution of India.
The constitutional amendments and government's orders were violated, that gave birth to fresh demand of separate state of Telangana. This was supported by the opposition political party, the BJP.
The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was announced in 2009 but soon there were agitations from other parts of Andhra Pradesh to keep the state unified. The Central government decided to form Sri Krishna Committee asking it to present a report on issue.
Sri Krishna Committee in its report suggested six solutions of the problem:
- Keeping the State united and providing for creation of a statutorily empowered Telangana Regional Council for socio-economic development and political development of Telangana region.
- Bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telengana regions with both of them, developing their own capitals in due course of time. Hyderabad to be converted to a Union Territory.
- Bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Seemandhrâ as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital.
Role of Central Government – Requisites steps:
Based on the findings of Committee, the UPA II has opted for option 3 with Hyderabad as common capital. The suggestion of Srikrishna Committee that bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is viable if it is unavoidable and the people of all three regions reach to amicable consensus, has not been paid attention by UPA II.
Sri Krishna Committee clearly indicated long standing history of demand of separate Telangana state because of dissatisfaction and widespread emotions over non fulfillment of promises of the government towards Telangana. It further said the issue cannot be resolved unless genuine steps should be taken address the concern of the Telangana people.
The UPA II government went ahead with the bifurcation of the state without obtaining consensus of all regions the state. Irrespective of the rejection from Andhra Pradesh assembly, the government went ahead with the formation of separate Telangana state.
On 07th February, 2014 Union Cabinet passed Telangana bill with some amendments that was later tabled in the Parliament and was passed midst intense agitation from the Andhra region legislatures.
Although idea of being divided is not true paradigm of united nation but for the benefits of a community and upliftment of the people, it is considered to be propitious.
The government should have organized a round table discussion with all regions representatives. The government by not doing so had not set a good precedent for the reorganization of the states in future.
Manish Bhojwani
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