ముల్కి rule

An examination of 32nd Constitutional amendment and Art. 371-D clearly establishes, that the MULKI Rules , which became operative by virtue of the Firman issued by HEH the Nizam, in Hyderabad state, of which the Telangana was an integral part and the clauses mentioned in 371-D are fresh rules, they do not make a mention of Mulki Rules, nor do they specify that the revised local cadres are substitutes to Mulki rules. This aspect needs careful study. Even if Go 610 is implemented and the resulting vacancies are filled, they will be filled by the brothers, sisters, children of Andhra Employees who became locals by virtue of studies. It is a Multiplier Effect. Andhra’s first occupied vacancies in violation of Presidential Order, settled here, they brought their kith and kin from Andhra areas , who studied here for four years and thus became locals. This is a serious problem with unimaginative dimension. Similarly, there is no Provision anywhere, in Constitutional amendments that the Telangana Regional Committee is abolished or is withdrawn. It is only a political resolution No 6 in the Six point formula, which mentions that the continuation of Mulki Rules and Telangana regional Committee become unnecessary. It is time that we educate about this and understand the implications. Struggle for the revival of Mulki Rules and Telangana Regional Committee by the concerted Political Action, and or by Legal Action, are now essential. From this angle let us give a fresh look to Supreme Court Judgment, Six Point Formula and Presidential Order, and Girglani Commission Recommendations, and the recent political voices from Dominant Andhra Political Leadership. Mulki Rules Held Valid By the Supreme Court, October 1972 Mulki Rules held valid by the Supreme Court, by the Five member Bench headed by Justice S.M.Sikri, allowing the appeal. The judgment of the AP High Court of the Full Bench and the Division Bench are set aside and writ petition No 2524 of 1967 is dismissed. (AIR 1973 Supreme Court 827, The Director of Industries and Commerce, Govt of AP Vs V. Venkat Reddy) Important References Quoted: n States Reorganisation Act , 1956 Articles 3, 4 n Constitutional Provisions : 35 ( a ), (b ), 13, 14, 16(3), 371,372 n HEH the Nizam’s Firman Dated 25th Ramzan 1337 H Essence of the Judgment .Mulki Rules were in force in Hydearbad State, by virtue of the Firman of HEH the Nizam Dated 25th Ramzan 1337 H ( corresponding to 1919) before joining Indian Union, in 1948.The Constitution of India came into force on January 1950. The state of Andhra Pradesh was reconstituted on November 1, 1956.The words “laws in force in the territory of India” in Art 35(b) also occur in 372 which continue in force, existing laws which existed not only in the Provinces of British India but in all Indian states. In the context of Art. 35 (b) and 372, what has to be seen is not whether the state of Hyderabad was part of the territory of India before the commencement of the constitution, but whether its territory is included in India after its commencement. The same test applies to the old provinces or part of provinces of British India. The second question is whether or not Mulki Rules Continue---the essence of 35(b) is not only to continue the Mulki Rules, but also to continue them until Parliament repeals, amends or alters them. It cannot be denied that that the purpose of reorganization of States is not to take away Fundamental Rights. Accordingly “ we are of the view that the mulki rules continued in force even after the constitution of the State of Andhra Pradesh under the reorganization of States, Act, 1956 “(para 18 ) Background To Introduction/Continuation of Mulki Rules The supreme court extensively quoted from earlier judgment in justification for Mulki Rules œ Due to political and historical reasons, Hyderabad state remained isolated. There were no adequate educational facilities. œ There were very few opportunities to enter public service in competition with others from outside the state. œ Urdu which was not the language of 90% of the people was the official language of Administration. œ SRC suggested the continuance of the Telangana region as a separate state. œ An agreement of the elders of both the regions was reached to reserve to them the benefits of securing employment on the strength of their residence. œ The formation of a Regional Standing Committee was also agreed upon. What exactly are Mulki Rules In, urdu language, mulk is a nation, and the residents are Mulkis.The fight for jobs for the mulkis had a long chequerred history. In the present context, it is necessary to understand the origin: n The Mulki Rules formed part of the Hyderabad Civil Services Regulations promulgated in obedience to His Exalted Highness the Nizam’s Firman dated 25th Ramzan 1337 Hijri , corresponding to 1919 A.D n The State of Hyderabad was then a native Indian State, which had not acceded to the Dominion of India after the Indian Independence Act, 1947. n Article 39 of Hyderabad Civil Service Rules, as contained in Chapter III of Regulations reads as follows, Appendix N. “ 39. No person will be appointed in any Superior or Inferior services without specific sanction of His exalted Highness, if he is not a Mulki, in terms of the rules laid down in Appendix “ N” Clause 6 of Rules: 1) A person shall be called a Mulki if---- a) by birth he is a subject of the Hyderabad State, or b) by residence in the Hyderabad State, be entitled to be a Mulki, or c) his father having completed 15 years of Service was in the Government Service at the time of his birth , or d) she is a wife of a person who is a Mulki. 3) A person shall be called a Mulki who was a permanent resident of the Hyderabad State for at least 15 years and has abandoned the idea of returning to the place of his residence and has obtained an affidavit to that effect on a prescribed form attested by a Magistrate. 7) Presribes the contents of the application to be made for grant of a Mulki Certificate and required the applicant, among other things, to say: a, b, c, ---------------------- d) Where was he he residing, prior to his residing in the Hyderabad State e) Place of birth and nationality of his father and grand father f, g, ---------------- h) From what period the applicant is permanently residing in the Hyderabad State and whether he has abandoned the idea of returning to his native land I, j, -------------- 9) Stipulates conditions for verification of the contents by the Police Department. Constitutional safeguards Parliament, in effect, gave statutory recognition to this agreement ( Gentlemen’s Agreement ) by making the necessary constitutional amendment in Art.371., providing for the constitution of the Telangana Regional Committee—the Constitution ( Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, inter alia- substituted a new Article 371 for the old, the relevant part, the relevant part of which reads as follows “ 371, Special Provision with respect to the States of Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Bombay—Notwithstanding any thing in this constitution the President may by Order made with respect to the States of Andhra Pradesh and provide for the constitution of and functions of regional committees of the legislative Assembly of the State for the modifications, to be made in the rules of business of the Government and in the rules of procedure of the Legislative Assembly of the State and for any special responsibility of the Governor in order to secure the proper functioning of the regional committees.” .—( Para 11 of the Supreme Court judgment ) The Supreme Court also examined the validity of Mulki Rules in the context of Section 16 (3 ), and held Mulki Rules valid because the “ the Public Employment (Requirement as to Residence ) Act, 1957” received the assent of the President, and came into forceon March 21, 1959 as AP Employment( Requirement as to Residence) Rules, 1959. The preamble reads “An act to make in pursuance of clause (3) of article 16 of the Constitution special provisions for requirement as to residence in regard to certain classes of public employment in certain areas and to repeal existing laws prescribing any such recruitment.” Brief Note (c ) of the Supreme Court Judgement says that the effect of reorganization of States made under Articles 3 and 4 of making Telangana a part of a new State of Andhra pradesh must be ignored under Article 35(b) and hence the Mulki Rules continue in force, even after constitution of the State of Andhra Pradesh, Under the Reorganisation of States Act, 1956. ---------It cannot be denied that the purpose of states reorganization of states is not to take away fundamental rights. ( of Telangana People) ( Para 17 of the Judgement) Six Point Formula Evolved on 21-09-1973 and luke warm steps taken. After the Supreme Court held that Mulki Rules are valid there was Jai Andhra Movement for scrapping Mulki Rules and for a State without any conditional ties. The political agreement evolved by the Andhra, Telangana, and National Political leadership is known as Six point Formula. Earlier several attempts were made in the nature of Gentlemen’s Agreement, All Party Accord, Eight point Formula, Five point Formula etc to some how continue the hotch poch arrangement for the continuation of the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Six points are: 1. There should be greater financial allocations for the development of Backward Regions, and Capital city of Hyderabad A State Level Planning Board with legislators from Backward regions, together with experts be created and Sub-boards should be created for backward regions-----No concrete measures were taken more so for Telangana Region. 2. In educational institutions in the State, to give preference to local candidates a state level policy should be evolved.. In the capital city of Hyderabad, to augment educational facilities, a Central University should be established.---This has resulted in seven years of study in the regional areas in lieu of 15 years of residence in the Telangana region. University of Hyderabad, has neither helped Telangana students nor academics, as it was a National University. 3. Up to a certain fixed level of recruitment local candidates should be preferred, this policy should be followed even in promotions giving preference to local candidates--- This gave way for Zonal System, four years of study in lieu of Mulki Rules. This aspect will be discussed in a greater detail, separately. 4. In respect of recruitment, seniority, promotions etc to resolve the problems Administrative Tribunals should be created, and the decisions of these Tribunals shall be binding on the Government.---- These Tribunals only prolonged the process of rendering justice, rather than solving the problems. Recent Tribunal Orders on GO 610 are a few examples 5. To give effect to the above issues, to overcome legal hurdles, the President of India should be empowered to make Constitutional amendments--- This gave way for 32nd amendment, creation of 371-D, Presidential Orders, which were systematically violated by successive governments in the state, dominated by political, and administrative dominance of Andhra and Rayalaseema. 6. If the above conditions are fulfilled, the continuation of Mulki Rules and Telangana Regional Committee become unnecessary. While above conditions 1 to 5 were not implemented, the sixth point was the only point that was immediately implanted, because it served the interests of Andhra and Rayala Seema regions. Review of Six-point Formula n The thirty-second Amendment Act omits clause (1) of Art.371 and makes special provision with respect to the State of Andhra Pradesh by inserting new clause 371-D. It also empowers the parliament to provide by Law, for the establishment of a University in the State of Andhra Pradesh. n 371-D Special Provisions with respect to the State of Andhra pradesh. (Popularly known as the Presidential Order, 1975 developed from these provisions) 1. The President may by order made with respect to the state of Andhra pradesh provide, having regard to the state as a whole, for equitable opportunities and facilities for the people belonging to different parts of the state, in the matter of public employment, and in the matter of education, and different provisions may be made for various parts of the State. 2. An Order made under Cl (1) may , in particular: a) Require the State Government to organize any class or classes of posts in a civil service of, or any class or classes of civil posts of the State and allot in accordance with such principles and procedures as may be specified in the order the persons holding such posts to the local cadre so organized. b) specify any part or parts of the state which shall be regarded as the local area (----there are several details regarding Tribunals etc, which are not reproduced here------) n 371-E Establishment of Central University in Andhra Pradesh Review of the Six Point Formula and the Presidential Order. It is clear that no serious efforts were made in respect of point (1). In respect of Para (2 ) admission procedures were evolved giving preference to local candidates., which is a 4 years of study instead of a Mulki Candidate. Central University is no doubt established in Hyderabad city. This is more a national University in nature, rather than augmenting facilities for Telangana students. Neither the faculty, nor the students are selected from Telangana region. Para (3 ) is supposed to be taken care by local cadre/ zonal System under Presidential order. It is surprising to note there are so many inconsitencies and fallcies, when Mulki Rules are set aside. A candidate is a local for admissions in educational institution, and non-local for employment, to cite an example.The children of Mulki candidates, because of the studies elsewhere, by transfers have become non-locals, whereas, children of Andhra settlers in Telangana have become locals because of studies here------ Much before 1975 Presidential Order, about 25000 candidates, who obtained Bogus Mulki Certificates and occupied the vacancies meant for Mulki Candidates. This was sought to be rectified by GO Ms No 36 Dated 21-1-1969, they were never sent back nor action was taken for producing False Bogus Mulki certificates.Thease issues were dragged into legal battle which finally culminated in the Supreme Court Judgment of 1972, validating Mulki Rules. With the Presidential Order, 1975, District local cadres, , Zonal system and Zonal Cadres, Reservations in Gazetted Posts, Secretariat and HODs, Controversy of city of Hyderabad etc are well known. We are not going into details here. By the time GO Ms 610 of 1985 was issued, it was estimated by a Committee of three IAS officers that 58, 962 non locals are occupying the posts in Zones V & VI- Telangana Area. In this long and historical process the Appointment of Girglani Commission, its recommendations, the Report of the House Committee, the Final Report of the Commission and periodical announcements that the Report of the Girglani Commission would be implemented in toto, are known facts and experiences. .The Employees and Political Leaders were taken aback when Go No 72 was issued recently in total and blatant violation of Presidential Order, and the recommendations of the Girglani commiss.ion. Political Leadership of Andhra and Rayalaseema have raised a banner of Open revolt They are proclaiming that no retrospective effect will be allowed, not a single employee would be allowed to be transferred., back to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Some people have gone against Go 610, and Go 72. to the High court of Andhra Pradesh. Leadership is openly assuring financial help and supporting all those employees who would go to court against the process of implementation. It will be surprising to note that in GO Ms No 564 Dated 5-12-1985, the employees from Coastal Andhra&Telangana when posted to Rayalaseema were sent back immediately , if necessary by using physical force. Inherent Defects in Zonal System · Even though, in the wake of Jai Andhra Agitation, Andhra, Telangana and National Political powers had agreed for Six Point Formula to provide Oxygen to a dying state of Andhra Pradesh, the experience shows it had inherent weaknesses. · Instead of three regions, the state was divided into six zones, which have serious implications, in employment sector. · The children of state wide officers study in different schools, and being the locals of Telangana, they become non-locals to Telangana, and vice versa. n In the absence of recruitment in Govt sector, people migrate to different states. Naturally those children who study outside the state, cannot get become locals or non-locals, and are permanently denied jobs in AP, even though their parents are born , brought up, educated in Andhra Pradesh. · Now that the Mulki Rules were not implemented properly earlier, and Presidential Orders now, those who have violated law who should have been prosecuted criminally, are not only enjoying the fruits but are dictating terms to Telanganites. · Those employees who came to Hyderabad, under the pretext of non existing, VII zone, in utter violation of Presidential Order, claim that we have been staying here in Telangana for the last thirty years, and now how can we go back. · Added to injury, even if vacancies are created and recruitment starts, the children of Andhra’s who came here in violation of Presidential Orders, would again get jobs because they have become locals by virtue of studies.---- Perpetuation of violations and Multiplier effect. · Those children of Andhras, who came here for business, and several other reasons have become locals by virtue of studies and get jobs meant for Telangana Youth. The same people are now opposing vehemently the implementation of 610, Presidential Order. Those who have perfected the art of exploitation would never be silent when the injustices are fought, and justice is sought to be achieved. It is for this reason, SRC apprehended that Telangana would become a Colony. It has come true, beyond doubt. The solution lies only in Separate Telangana. Meanwhile, since there is a limited possibility of implementing 610 and Girglani Commission recommendations, with retrospective effect since 1975, it is better we fight, now politically and legally for the revival of Mulki Rules and Telagana Regional Committee, before the Telangana State is formed. Re-constitution of Telangana Regional Committee In accordance with Gentleme’s Agreement, Regional Council for Telangana, was to be constituted. The Presidential Order under 371 (1 ) constituted AP Regional Committee Order, 1958 was issued in February 1, 1958----Word Telangana was omitted, and Council has been changed to Committee----- It was given wide powers on subjects like local self Government, public health, primary and secondary education, regulation of admissions in Telangana educational institutions, prohibition of liquors, sale of agricultural lands, Cottage and small scale industries, agriculture, markets, development and economic planning. All the legislators, and MPs were members of this committee, the Chairman was given Cabinet Rank. Section ( 7 ) dealing with the powers of the Committee provides : “ The Regional Committee shall have power to consider and pass resolutions recommending to the state Government any legislative or executive action withrespect to any scheduled matters-------“ Even the superfluous powers of recommendations, were not respected by the Government.---It must be said to the credit of the Telangana Regional Committee that it made volumes of reports on Telangana problems. TRC has used its powers to report, but it has no powers to implement and administer. Even though, it was not that effective in its functioning, its reports, and publications helped to a large extent the general public and the academics. Similar Boards were established for Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Punjab etc.. The Andhra leadership, was sore about it, and was abolished under Six-Point Formula. If not for any thing, the large scale selling of Agricultural lands in Telangana, in General and around twin cities in particular would have been under check. According to one report, the Regional Committees functioned only in AP, and Punjab. The failure of the Committee resulted in the division of state into Punjab and Haryana, now the abolition of Regional Committee in AP, also should lead to the creation of Telangana state. Till such time the separate State is formed, the political leadership of Telangana, irrespective of political affiliations, should strive for the re-constitution of Telangana Regional Committee, at the earliest.

610 G.0.

he ongoing debate about the much publicised G.O. 610 has made one thing clear, i.e. the history is repeating itself. This order issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in December 1985 and required to be implemented by March 1986 is yet to be implemented. It has created a situation similar to the one created 34 years ago by G.O.36 of January 1969. If one recalls as to what had happened then, it should not be difficult to visualise as to what would happen now. The G.O. 610 will not be implemented - it is as simple as that. The 1969 Fiasco:

In an attempt to sort out the issues that had contributed to the Separate Telangana Movement of 1968-69, the State Government of the time issued an order that has come to be known as G.O. 36 of January 1969. It was aimed at repatriating about twenty five thousand non-Mulki (non local) employees illegally appointed in the Telangana region, to their respective places and appointing local candidates in the resultant vacancies. But, the non-Mulkies appointed in the Telangana region challenged not only G.O.36 but also the very validity of what were known as Mulki Rules. After a prolonged litigation, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of Mulki Rules and facilitated implementation of G.O. 36. The political elite of Andhra and the non-Mulki employees appointed in Telangana, however, did not digest it. The result was a violent movement for a separate Andhra state. The leaders of that movement demanded either scrapping of the judgement of Supreme Court of India validating Mulki Rules, and also other safeguards, or bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra and Telangana states. It should be recalled that, among others, Chandrababu Naidu and Venkaiah Naidu were in the forefront of that movement. The Government of India of the time yielded to the pressure of political might and money power of the majority region and nullified, by an act of parliament, the judgement of Supreme Court of India, besides scrapping several safeguards given to the people of Telangana as a precondition for the formation of Andhra Pradesh. Consequently, all irregular appointments were regularised, depriving local candidates of their rightful claims over those jobs.

The Present Scenario:

After nullifying the Mulki Rules, the so called Six-point formula - a diluted form of safeguards - was foisted on the people. Even this formula has been, and continues to be, violated with impunity, robbing the people of Telangana of whatever little was left in the name of safeguards. It was estimated that between 1973 and 1985 around fifty nine thousand non locals were recruited in the Telangana region. As a result, the people of the region became once again restive and the government was compelled to issue G.O. 610 to rectify the situation. The sum and substance of G.O.610 was to repatriate all non local candidates illegally appointed in the Telangana region to their native zones and appoint local candidates in the resultant vacancies. The entire process was to be completed by the end of March 1986.

But, no one remembered even the existence of this order, until the revival of demand for a separate state of Telangana gathered momentum in 1996. The State Government which was in slumber for so long a time then woke up and started making promises of implementing this G.O. About three years ago, a one-man commission was appointed to work out the modalities. Even before the commission completed its work, this task was entrusted to a house committee of the state legislature. It is nearly two years since this house committee was appointed, but it is yet to complete its work. It has so far given only an interim report.

It should to be noted that the number of employees recruited between 1973 and 1985, violating the statutory requirements, was estimated to be around fifty nine thousand. There could be difference of opinion about the figure. Whatever the number, it was as in December 1985. Since then, neither the G.O. has been implemented nor making illegal appointments stopped. Therefore, the first thing to be done in this regard is to work out the number of these appointments made from 1973 till now, spanning a period of nearly two decades. According to several unofficial, but reliable, surveys the figure has already crossed two Lakhs. The house committee of the state legislature has not yet done anything tangible to arrive at the number of illegal appointments made in several departments at various levels i.e. district, zone, and region. It has not, so far, looked in to the appointments made in the state level offices and organisations to ascertain whether equitable employment opportunities were provided to the people of this region. It is yet to look in to the complaints regarding the appointments made on the strength of bogus certificates of nativity. It has, as of now, identified only a few hundred positions, mostly in the capital city and a couple of small departments. The bulk of the work is yet to be done. The interim report of the house committee is, therefore, like the tip of an iceberg. Even this interim report has not been implemented so far. On the contrary, unnecessary legal cobwebs and procedural wrangles are being created. Meanwhile, the tenure of present legislative assembly itself is coming to an end. With this scenario, can any one expect that this order is going to be implemented? It is evident that what had happened to G.O.36 of 1969 is bound to happen to G.O. 610 of 1985 as well - history will repeat itself.

Girglani Commission Report:

The Girglani Commission submitted its preliminary report on 6-10-2001 on implementation of GO Ms 610. The Commission submitted its final report on the deviations in the implementation of the Presidential Order and making suggestions on safeguards to set right injustices and anomalies. The Final Report, comprising 716 pages spread over three volumes, was handed to the government on September 30, 2004. The Assembly’s winter session was held in December 2004 but the state government chose not to table the report in the House at that time. Four-and-a-half months after the Final Report was received, the government laid it on the table of the Assembly on February 16, 2004. The brief, one-page action taken report merely mentioned that the government has constituted the seven-member Group of Ministers to examine the Report. The first meeting was held on 11-1-2005 and it was decided to communicate the Report to all the departments of secretariat for their examination and to furnish their suggestions/ proposals pertaining to their departments.

Normally, the ATR indicates the follow-up action taken by the government on the findings and recommendations of an Inquiry Commission appointed under the Commission of Inquiries Act. In the instant case, the only follow-up action that the government has taken is the nomination of a group of ministers and dispatching the copies of the reports to the departments at the Secretariat level. This explains the callousness and casual approach of the Congress government, which promised in the poll manifesto on the eve of 2004 Assembly elections to implement the GO Ms 610 in letter and spirit.

Only the Home Minister Shri K Jana Reddy and the Home Department have evinced some interest in initiating action on the Girglani Commission’s findings and suggestions. The Home Minister announced recently that the government has decided to repatriate to their home districts as many as 3,150 police personnel who have been working in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Commissionerates in violation of SPF and GO Ms 610. The Home Minister, however, clarified that such repatriation would be done in phases to avoid administrative, departmental and legal problems. Moreover, no methodology or time-limit has been specified for repatriation of personnel to their respective zones. It is unfortunate that other ministers and departments have maintained stoic silence on the issue and not taken any action on the Girglani Commission report so far.

Girglani Commission report as “an eye-opener” is the gross injustice done to the people of Telangana region all these decades. Our party gives credence to the contention of TNGOs Union that as many as 60,000 non-locals from other regions are working in various departments in Telangana region in violation of SPF, Presidential Order and GO Ms 610. It is our considered view that the Presidential Order on reservations to local candidates has been grossly violated in Telangana and thousands of ‘settlers’ have grabbed the government jobs in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and other eight Telangana districts. It is all the more painful to note that those who have been willfully denying rightful employment to locals in Telangana in the name of an integrated AP have chosen to subvert the work of Girglani Commission in various ways. Not even one-third of the 134 -odd departments furnished data to Girglani Commission. If all the departments had extended their full cooperation, the Commission would have brought to light startling facts on the injustice meted out to Telangana since the formation of Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956.

NEED FOR TELANAGANA

Telangana region has been one of the most underdeveloped regions in India. As we are in the early 21st century, it is our responsibility to make sure that every human being deserves a dignified life. Telangana people are not fortunate enough to enjoy even basic necessities like food, shelter, safe drinking water or sanitation facilities. It is appalling to see how this region has been neglected for decades.

More than eighty percent of Telangana depend on agriculture. We were ruled by different kings until 1948 for the last five centuries and we survived with limited water facilities. Things have not changed for the last 50 years, even though we can claim that two prime minsters are from Telangana (Smt. Indira Gandhi representd Medak and Shri. P.V. Narsimha Rao was born in Karimnagar district).

Most of the farmers still depend on the well irrigation. The well irrigation is expensive with constant problems with the electric motors. Farmers have to depend on the erratic electricity supply for their crops. Governament has tough time providing even 7 hours of electricity to these farmers. Most of the canals that were envisaged during Nizam’s rule were either put on hold or allocated very little money (compare Telugu Ganga Vs Flood flow canal in Karimnagar). Even the projects that were completed have benefited the Andhra region than Telangana region. Hundreds are farmers committed suicides leaving their wives and children in the cold.

We need a Telangana where people care about every human being, not just rich people or politicians. We need to look into the root cause of the problems and resolving them as soon as possible. We don’t need the vision which can not be implemented for millions of poor people. We need a practical solution that ensures people have enough resources to work hard and succeed. We will have to act NOW to make sure our children and grand children will have great future.

We just want to do our part on educating people about the backwardness of Telangana region and hope that we will see a day, when we can say that “Naa Telangana, Ratnala Veena”

Separate Telangana state movement

1969 Movement

In the following years after the formation of Andhra Pradesh state, however, the 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 and students of this Telangana region. Approximately 360 students gave their lives in this movement.

Although the Congress faced 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.

In 1969, when the Hindi blockbuster Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke was released, Telangana people could be seen carrying posters with the slogan "Aya Telangana Jhoom Ke" [Telangana would come up with great fanfare].

Movement in 1990-2004

The emotions and forces generated by the movement 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. 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. 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.^{[10][11][12][13][14]} 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 popularily known as KCR.

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. The experiment to remain as one state proved to be a futile exercise and therefore, separation is found to be the best solution.

2004 and later

Flag of TRS

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.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. 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.

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

There was pressure on the Congress party to create a Telangana state in 2008.

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.

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.To the disappointment of Telangana proponents TRS retained only 7 out of 16 MLA seats and 2 out of 4 MP seats after the by-elections.

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 Telangana state.In July 2008, Mr Goud along with some other leaders like Mr. E Peddi Reddy formed a new party called Nava Telangana Praja Party.

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

Symbolic declaration of statehood

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." Goud released ten pigeons in the air symbolising the ten districts of the region, while he also unfurled the national flag on the occasion. Along with his party activists he was later arrested when they tried to barge into the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat to change the name plate from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana. A scuffle then followed between the police and the NTP workers before the party workers were taken to the Chikkadapalli police station. Other NTP workers soon descended on the scene and staged a dharna to protest against the arrest.

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.

Ahead of the 2009 General Elections in India all the major parties in Andhra Pradesh supported the formation of Telangana. 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.. The Congress Party still says it is committed to Telangana statehood, 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.

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.

The Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), newly founded by film star Chiranjeevi, supported Telangana statehood prior to elections, but later changed its stance. 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.

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-Telangana statements after the polls.

Congress returned to power both at center and state. TRS and the grand alliance lost the elections in overwhelming fashion.

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

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. Student organizations, employee unions and various organizations joined the movement. Scores of people commited suicide in support of Telangana state. Telangana bandh (strike) shuts down Telangana on Dec 6th and 7th. Student organizations planned a massive rally at state legislature(Assembly) on Dec 10th. Government warned that the rally does not have permission and deployed police troops though out Telangana. The decline of KCR's health has contributed to a sense of urgency for the central government to take a decision on the issue of Telangana statehood

Telangana state formation process

On Dec 9th 2009, 11:30 PM, Mr. P. Chidambaram, Union Minister of Home Affairs announced that a resolution in the Andhra Pradesh assembly for the creation of a separate Telangana state would be introduced soon. Chief Minister Konijeti Rosaiah however stated that the resolution will not be introduced in the current assembly session. KCR ending his 11 day fast said from his hospital bed that this a true victory of the people of Telangana.

On December 10, 2009, Indian government has agreed to start the process of forming a separate Telangana. Central government asked Andhra Pradesh state government to pass of a resolution in the legislative assembly (as per article 3 of Constitution, Parliament does not require Assembly resolution to create new state.)

Telangana celebrated the central government decision while non-Telangana regions of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions (Andhra region) protested.

Several members of Andhra Pradesh's legislature submitted their resignations to protest the creation of the new state. As of 16 December, at least 147 legislators (including Praja Rajyam Founder Chiranjeevi and many Members of Parliament had resigned in protest of the Government's decision to carve out a new state of Telangana. 22 Ministers form the State Cabinet have submitted their resignation. All of the Legislators/MPs' resigned belong to Andhra (Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema) region.

On Dec 16, media reports confirmed that there is split in Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) over Telangana issue, with its leader Chiranjeevi as well as 16/18 party MLAs opposing the division of Andhra Pradesh, while Telangana leaders in the party are unhappy with the shift in the party's views

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". The concerns of Telanganas were numerous. 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 would have the advantage in jobs, particularly in government and education.

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 Telanga people are against the merger.^[4]

Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru 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.^[5]

However, following the "Gentlemen's agreement, the central government, ignoring States Reorganization Commission Report , established a unified Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956 [2]^[6][7]. The agreement provided reassurances to the Telangana people as well to Andhra people in terms of power sharing as well as administrative domicile rules and distribution of expenses of various regions.

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 and one in French-controlled Yanam. A Communist led peasant revolt started in 1946, lasted until 1951. Meanwhile, Telugu speaking areas were carved out of an erstwhile Madras state by popular agitation by the leaders like Potti Sri Ramulu to create Andhra state in 1952.