"I may not agree with what you
have to say, but I'll defend to my death your right to say it." - Voltaire
Telangana has become a bone of
contention among the people from various regions in Andhra Pradesh and it has
become a thorny issue for Central government which is caught between the devil
and the deep sea. It is a fact that for
every problem there are multiple solutions.
Similarly for resolving the Telangana issue amicably there are several
solutions. But before discussing about the solutions it is essential to find
out whether the present Telangana movement is the result of underdevelopment or
overdevelopment.
Underdevelopment
vs. Overdevelopment
Usually demands come when some regions
are undeveloped to make them developed on par with other regions. In the case of Telangana movement it appears
that it is due to the overdelopment of Hyderabad the leaders are asking for
separate State. Historically Telangana, was never part of the present Andhra
Pradesh as it was ruled by Nizams for many years. When States were formed linguistically Telangana
joined and Andhra Pradesh was formed on linguistic basis. Although the culture
of this region is different that that of other regions creating Telangana State
opens Pandora’s Box of demand for more States in India. For instance, Gorkhaland in West Bengal, Vidharba
in Maharastra and many other States may demand for creation of smaller states. Again
it is a debatable issue whether smaller States pave the way for rapid growth
and development. For a country like India where differences erupt easily in the
name of religion, language, caste and region creating smaller States is a
problematic one. It is not the creation of smaller States it also involves other
sensitive issues such as river water issues, relocation or creation of more
capital cities.
Recently Indian Union Minister, Pranab
Mukherjee had made his mind clear and said that the formation of Telangana
state could trigger demands for many more new states in country leading to more
complications. In fact, the demand for separate State is not possible when the
majority of the people in Andhra Pradesh oppose. Previous leaders especially N Chandrababu
Naidu worked hard and branded Hyderabad as an investment destination and built
it as a great brand to compete with another great southern city Bangalore. He did it with good intentions and he did not
expect that excessive development in one capital may invite the attention of
the leaders of Telangana region to seek separate State. In fact, people from all regions have
contributed their best to develop Hyderabad city. There are regions in
Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra that are more underdeveloped than the region of
Telangana. It is unfair to seek separation just because the developed city falls
in a particular region geographically.
People from all regions migrate to the capital cities of their respective
States and other States and also India’s capital like New Delhi for better
prospects. Even the investors will come
to capital cities for better business opportunities. Therefore, it is unjustified to blame and
brand people of other regions as looters and exploiters as few mischievous
politicians incited people in the name of Telangana movement and it does not go
well in democracy. Law should take
stringent action against such leaders who incite and create such ill-feelings
among the people for their narrow political gains. Indian judiciary is very
powerful as it played a key role in sending corrupt leaders to jails and it
should play an active role to punish unscrupulous political leaders who poison
the minds of the people and create divisions among the people in the name of
caste, religion, region and community. At the same time address the Telangana issue
through dialogue and discussion in the larger interests of nation. Here are the issues to address.
Issues
to Address
- Address the underdeveloped areas
and take remedial measures through special care and attention.
- Provide equal employment
opportunities to the people from all regions based on the population
strength although it appears to be tricky one.
- Form another States
Reorganisation Committee (SRC) keeping the present aspirations of the
people. Previously states were formed based on linguistic basis and it is
essential to take a relook at it in the current context.
- Take up developmental activities
in all regions equally – Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. There
are some districts in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema that are more
underdeveloped than the districts of Telangana.
- Hyderabad is the capital of not
only Telugus but all Indians who settled down there. Telugus from all regions and non-Telugus
and all communities have worked hard to make it as a great city. Nobody can
claim this place as their properity based on geographical affiliation. The
city belongs to all Indian citizens.
Hence, respect the aspirations of all communities and make Hyderabad
as the common capital for all Indians.
- Send strong signals that regionalism
and fundamentalism has no place in a secular country like India where
people love to live with peace and harmony.
Dialogue
and Consensus is the Key
It is the time political leaders
should set aside their political differences and petty politics and work
together for the progress of people from all regions in the State. It is the
not problem of AP alone it could be problem for other States in India in future. Throwing the ball into the Central government
is not the solution for this contentious issue. All political parties in the State
must sit across the negotiating table and negotiate with a win-win attitude and
resolve the issue amicably. John F. Kennedy once remarked, “Never fear to
negotiate and never negotiate out of fear.” Hence, leaders from all political
parties in Andhra Pradesh must join together cutting across their party
ideologies and self-interests to find a lasting solution to this vexed issue
where all people can live with fraternity.
Lessons
for Leaders
The Telangana movement provides
several lessons for leaders not only to the State of Andhra Pradesh but also
other States in India. There has to be development in all areas to avoid such
movements in India. Previous governments in Andhra Pradesh have paid too much
attention on Hyderabad brand building as it is the capital. Although it was good for all Telugus but it
caught the attention of leaders from Telangana to demand creation of Telangana
State as Hyderabad is highly developed now. Had the past rulers developed equal
cities in other regions of Andhra Pradesh such as in Coastal Andhra and
Rayalaseema the Telangana problem would not have surfaced. Intellectuals must note and analyze this
issue broadly. This is not the problem of Andhra Pradesh alone and it may
become problem for other States in India in future. Hence, to avoid such
movements in other parts of India, all regions of each State should have
alternate developed cities other than capital cities in their states. It is
like diversifying the risk and avoiding putting all eggs in one basket. It does
not fuel demand for more states and even if such demands surface people from
other regions would easily agree for sweet separation as they had equally
developed alternative cities in their regions.
Hereafter, it is essential to develop alternative cities in both the
regions of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra instead of focusing on Hyderabad city
alone. Such moves prevent emergence of regional leaders and exploiting regional
sentiments to fill their private coffers in the name of regional pride. Hence, intellectuals, analysts and policy
makers must learn lessons from this Telangana movement and plan accordingly for
the betterment of all regions equally. To
conclude, the present leaders must learn that the leaders who divided countries
on community basis earned temporary fame but ended up with permanent blame.
However, the leaders who worked for unity and fraternity like Mahatma Gandhi
and Abraham Lincoln not only earned permanent fame but also excelled as legends
in history while those who worked for separation went into the dustbins of
history.
Professor M.S.Rao
Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants,
India
Where Knowledge is Wealth
Dear readers,
I would appreciate your comments about
this article.
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