By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
ANDHRA PRADESH, India – Government talks to carve a new, separate Telangana state out of the large south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh recently failed, concluding with an inconclusive outcome. The independence discourse has been occurring between numerous political factions and other stakeholders, neither of whom were apparently willing come to an amicable compromise on their position. However, neither group seems adverse to further consultation among the numerous interested groups. Ultimately, the talks resulted in an agreement between all involved parties that, despite the dearth of breakthrough progress concerning the independence of the Telangana, the government will take an active role in preserving peace in Andhra Pradesh and quell civilian hostilities over this highly polarizing, significant issue.Subsequent to India’s liberation from the British Empire, movements for an independent Telangana began in the late 1960’s. The movement created much tension between groups of Indian nationals and incited rife violence, resulting in many deaths. Although subsequent stages of the movement were not strong enough the propel any important advances, the recent talks in the Indian government appeared to show promise for those eagerly awaiting a decision on the creation of the independent Telangana state.
The recent discussions of craving a Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh have provoked numerous publicized forms of protest and displays of the peoples’ passion for independence. Conventional rallies and walk-outs occurred throughout many school campuses around south India. However, suicides and significant striking have caused much panic among the government, political parties, and the civilian population in Andhra Pradesh. Significant striking essentially shut down the Telangana region in early December. Furthermore, the president of the TSR, one of the most prominent groups for Telangana’s independence undertook an eleven-day fast which he intended to carry out until his very death if no breakthroughs arose in the talks of state creation. However, in early December, the Indian government announced that talks to craft the Telangana state would begin, enabling the TSR president to cease his hunger-strike.
Much of the passion for the creation of a separate Telangana state derives from its historical significance in both Muslim and Hindu history. Also, the region of Telangana never came under direct British rule during the colonial Raj. The willingness of the people to die for the symbolism behind an independent state, however, continues to compel supporting organizations to fight for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
For more information, please see:
BBC News – India’s ‘Tiger of Telangana’ feted – 10 December 2009
India Today – Govt mulls Prez rule if Telangana talks fail – 5 January 2010
Zee News – Telangana: All-party meet fails to break ice – 5 January 2010
