Is it, or is it not, possible for our central government to accede to the genuine, public demands without causing the avoidable injuries and bloodshed?
Let the Union Home Ministry come out with a white paper on the subject, informing the nation of the cases which have been gracefully accepted and upheld because they were found substantive, reasonable and in the larger interests of the country. Rightly or wrongly there is a perception that, more often than not, disputes are resolved not on merit but on other extraneous considerations.
Another question: Is it possible for the ruling party at the centre to fulfil its promises instead of going upon them under one or the other, tenable or untenable, alibi, like “the clock cannot be rolled back” as remarked by the Union Home Minister recently?
The point is: why the clock cannot be rolled back if it rights a wrong.
55-YEAR OLD PROMISES
The issue is hanging fire for the last 55 years. It runs into the face neither of the Constitution nor economy nor national solidarity nor morality. The case of the agitationists is that creation of Telangana would bring justice to the hitherto-justice-denied. The fulfilment of this promise would provide the deprived with the much-needed control over the resources as well as education, jobs and above all dignity.
As we rush to the press, over 100 MLAs, 14 MPs and 12 Ministers have resigned to strengthen the demand for Telangana. There has been a 2-day bandh and a 2-day Rail Roko while unrest in the Osmania University is reaching the point of crescendo.
CHIDAMBARAM’S ANNOUNCEMENT
In the real sense of the term, the people’s movement for Telangana started on December 9, 2009, when the Union Home Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram announced unambiguously that a new state would be formed. But later on, within a fortnight, he went back upon his solemn promise.
What goes without saying is it is New Delhi’s inaptitude that allowed the public sentiment to consolidate on the sensitive question.
As a face saving device, The Srikrishna Committee was formed to find out the elusive solution. The so-called solution trotted out by the Committee is utterly uninspiring for the Telangana people.
Mischievously, the Committee Report also carries a ‘secret chapter’ whose secret-ness is now in public domain. The chapter referred to above, it has been reported by the press, talks about how to ‘manage’ the press and the politicians in favour of Telangana. This perhaps is the nadir of political immorality.
WANT FOR CHAOS
That New Delhi is not showing any urgency on the subject shows it has braced itself with the possibility of chaos.
As the matters stand, the Centre has, for all the practical purposes, virtually abdicated its responsibility. It is the go-betweens who are doing what they cannot. It is a sure invitation to disaster.
The Congress-led UPA must understand that it is its own MLAs, MPs and Ministers who have resigned to register their strong protest against the status quo, appreciated by a considerable section in Rayelsema and Coastal Andhra. It is not an issue articulated by the main Opposition or the NDA. Doesn’t the Congress realise that it is a question of its survival over there?
The manner in which the proverbial Rome was not built in a day, Telangana, in a similar fashion, had not touched the current level of drift in a week, in a month or in a year. It had been adrift since 1956. Sadly the history of Telangana is a history of neglect and betrayal.
True, let bygones be bygones. But how long the powers-that-be can or would postpone the hard decision, the decision to carve out Telangana, which was merged with Andhra to form Andhra Pradesh? Amidst intense lobbying, promises of all-round development were made for years to be repeatedly broken at hearts. These promises were about education, employment, irrigation, and industries. Pacts like the Gentleman’s Agreement and the 6-Point Formula were implemented in breach.
As a sequel to the innate prejudice, the local people were denied participation in public affairs. Caste, there was a time when, reigned supreme in the region. And it does even today partially. Feudalism had legitimised discrimination. The vicious circle had been completed by communalism. The Congress and the Saffron surreptitiously cooperated in this unholy alliance. According to a chronicler: The people of Telangana were betrayed by a section of its leadership. Ostensibly on caste grounds, the Brahmins belonging to the Congress raised the bogey of Reddy Rule against the recommendations of the Fazl Ali Commission and the sane advice of Nehru and Lohia.
Things would come back to normal, so feel some too simple-minded, obdurate and motivated Congressmen. But the sober Congressmen feel this wait and watch policy is going to trigger turmoil. They are also angry at the duplicity demonstrated by Mr. P. Chidambaram. Understandably, it is eroding the credibility of the Congress.
MUSLIM VIEW
Let the wisdom prevail. Our considered opinion is what the Union Home Minister said on December 9, 2009 must be honoured in letter and spirit. In case of irrational and illogical obstinacy being shown by his superiors, he should think in terms of establishing a healthy precedent. He should send his one-line resignation to the immobile Prime Minister.