The Telangana Statehood Movement is a significant episode in modern Indian history, reflecting the aspirations of the people of Telangana for political and economic autonomy. This article delves into the emergence of political leaders and parties, the pivotal role of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), and key milestones that culminated in the formation of Telangana as the 29th state of India in 2014.
Emergence of Political Leaders and Parties
The Telangana movement saw the rise of numerous political leaders and organizations that articulated the grievances of the region's populace.
Historical Background
The demand for a separate Telangana state dates back to the States Reorganization Act of 1956 when the Telangana region of the erstwhile Hyderabad State was merged with Andhra to form Andhra Pradesh.
Discontent grew over perceived neglect in water resources, employment, and educational opportunities, despite agreements like the Gentlemen's Agreement (1956) and the Mulki Rules.
Initial Leadership
M. Chenna Reddy: A prominent figure who led the Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) in the 1969 agitation for a separate state.
Under his leadership, the movement gained momentum with demands for equitable resource allocation and political representation.
Marri Chenna Reddy's Role in Compromise: The TPS was eventually merged back into Congress in 1971 after assurances from the central government, signaling a temporary lull in the movement.
Emergence of Grassroots Leaders
Post-1990s saw the rise of grassroots leaders, particularly those who represented marginalized communities, rural farmers, and youth.
Leaders like K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) became the face of the movement, emphasizing regional pride and economic justice.
Support from Civil Society
Intellectuals, students, and professionals contributed to the movement, providing ideological and logistical support.
Organizations like the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) played a significant role in unifying different factions.
Role of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)
Formation of TRS
The TRS was founded in 2001 by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) with the sole agenda of achieving statehood for Telangana.
KCR left the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) due to dissatisfaction with its leaderships indifference toward Telanganas issues.
Strategic Mobilization
The TRS adopted a multi-pronged strategy, leveraging electoral politics, protests, and alliances with national parties to press its demands.
Electoral Success: The TRS consistently used elections to highlight Telangana's grievances, winning seats in both state and central legislatures.
Alliances: Alignments with national parties like the UPA (Congress) at critical junctures helped amplify the movement at the national level.
Key Campaigns
2004 Elections: The TRS joined the Congress-led UPA, leveraging its presence in the central government to push for statehood.
2009-2013 Period: The TRS intensified its agitation, staging rallies, hunger strikes, and strikes like the Sakala Janula Samme (All Peoples Strike), crippling economic activities in the region.
KCR's hunger strike in 2009 became a turning point, galvanizing mass support and drawing national attention.
TRS as the Vanguard of Telangana's Aspirations
The TRS emerged as the central force in the movement, effectively sidelining competing political entities and consolidating the peoples trust.
Milestones Leading to State Formation
The journey to Telanganas statehood involved several pivotal moments:
1969 Telangana Agitation
A watershed moment in the state's history where widespread protests demanded the implementation of agreements ensuring Telangana's autonomy.
The agitation ended without statehood but laid the groundwork for future movements.
Formation of TRS (2001)
The birth of the TRS rejuvenated the demand for a separate Telangana state.
KCRs leadership redefined the movement, focusing on electoral politics as a vehicle for change.
2004 General Elections
TRSs alliance with the UPA provided an initial impetus for the statehood demand.
The Congress included Telangana statehood in its Common Minimum Programme, though no immediate action followed.
2009 Hunger Strike
KCRs indefinite hunger strike in 2009 became a flashpoint, triggering widespread protests and violence across the region.
The UPA government, under pressure, announced its intent to initiate the process for statehood, though it faced resistance from Seemandhra leaders.
Formation of Srikrishna Committee (2010)
The government constituted the Srikrishna Committee to examine the feasibility of Telanganas formation.
The committee recommended various options but did not decisively favor statehood, leading to intensified protests.
Resolution by Congress Working Committee (CWC)
On July 30, 2013, the Congress Working Committee endorsed the creation of Telangana as a separate state, setting the stage for legislative action.
Passing of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act (2014)
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, was passed by Parliament in February 2014, officially bifurcating Andhra Pradesh into two states: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Hyderabad was designated as the joint capital for ten years.
Inauguration of Telangana
Telangana officially became Indias 29th state on June 2, 2014, with KCR as its first Chief Minister.
Impact of the Telangana Statehood Movement
Political Impact
The creation of Telangana reshaped regional politics, with TRS dominating the states political landscape.
The movement served as a blueprint for other regional demands, like those for Gorkhaland and Vidarbha.
Economic Impact
Post-statehood, Telangana witnessed focused efforts in industrial growth, IT development, and irrigation projects like Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The movement highlighted issues of regional imbalance, leading to better resource allocation.
Social Impact
The Telangana movement brought issues of social justice, cultural identity, and regional pride to the forefront.
It empowered marginalized communities and fostered greater political participation.
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