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5-decade wait for separate identity Hyderabad, July 30 What sets Telangana apart from other regions witnessing statehood demand is that it was a separate state in the past, ruled by the Nizams, but was merged with the rest of the Telugu-speaking regions in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh, the country’s first linguistic state. Since then, the yearning for a separate identity and perceived sense of alienation has repeatedly found public expression in the region comprising 10 districts, including Hyderabad. Lack of irrigation facilities, industries, educational and employment opportunities has been the bane of the region. The statehood supporters argue that successive governments have not only neglected the region but also systematically exploited it, denying its share of funds. There has been discrimination in all sectors, including industrial development, irrigation, employment, education and allotment of funds. The first major agitation for a separate Telangana state erupted in 1969 and turned violent, claiming several lives. It was countered by a competitive agitation in the coastal Andhra region. However, following intervention by the Central Government, a political settlement was reached between the leaders of the two regions and a set of safeguards for Telangana region were worked out. lowdown on Telangana
Population 3.52 crore; 41.6% of AP’s population Largest cities Hyderabad, Warangal Literacy rate 65.5% Districts: Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak (all bordering Maharashtra), Khammam (bordering Chhattisgarh), Mahaboobnagar (bordering Karnataka), Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Hyderabad Economically speaking: Contributes over 51% to the Gross State Domestic Product, a major chunk of which comes from Hyderabad — Omar Abdullah, J&K CM The Congress is merely attempting to stem its political losses in the state by forming the new state — DA Somayajulu, YSR Cong — Prakash Karat, CPM After Telangana, the central government will now have to give us Gorkhaland. They cannot deny our old and justified demand — Roshan
Giri, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha — Gopinath Munde, BJP
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I believe this (creation of a separate state) is a dangerous trend because all we are doing is sending across a message that if you agitate enough, and if you agitate long enough, you will create a state
Now that a decision is being taken on the break-up of Andhra Pradesh, I think that creating new states must be looked at afresh. I don’t think we should go on this path
The BJP and Shiv Sena have divergent views on a separate Vidarbha state. We have always believed that having smaller states helps speedy development