Andhra Pradesh: Why a state division?

Is there a state in this country that is stitched together like Andhra Pradesh? Can two siblings be permanently attached to each other on the basis of similarity in DNA? Can such attachment be called legitimate? Back in 1956, two separate entities, Hyderabad and Andhra states, have been stitched together with an expectation that they would develop into a singularity over a period of time. The only common reason of this attachment being the language - Telugu. But it resulted into an awkward ‘Siamese twin’ situation with both entities struggling to maintain it’s own identity.

 

Is there any other region in India that enjoys special constitutional provisions as Telangana? Why employment opportunities are categorized into zones only in Andhra Pradesh? Aren’t there any backward areas anywhere in any of the other states? Why constitution is not providing similar zonal employment rights in other states also? Why should the constitution provide special rights to Telangana people and how long will they continue to enjoy these rights? Fifty three years after a state merger, why are Telangana people still crying to implement those special rights? Can we ever see un-discriminated and equally treated regions (by the constitution) across AP? Will the Indian government ever dare to initiate such steps? If not, why not separate these two regions? - lift all the applicable special constitutional provisions across these two re-born states to bring them on par with all other states?

 

What is a state? After all, it is just an administrative unit! Self rule is what was conceived by Gandhiji and also by the Indian constitution. Unfortunately this is not being practiced nor implemented across the Nation (Centre consumes the states revenues, States consuming the district revenues, and districts consuming the panchayat revenues). When local bodies aren’t allowed to spend their own revenues, dominant power centers use the major revenue share according to their own advantage. That's what is happening across. One possible solution to slowly move towards 'sampoorna grama swarajyam' is to break down large administrative units (states) into smaller ones. A question then arises, “on what grounds should we divide a state?” It can be answered by looking at how states are formed\organized in our republic. It’s either on the grounds of logical administrative unitization (hindi speaking states) or based on ‘people sentiments’ (formation of linguistic states based on language sentiment). Formation of linguistic states that looked to be a great idea is slowly turning out to be a strategic national disaster on a longer term. Slowly linguistic fanaticism is growing – Few say, “None other than Marathas in Mumbai”, “no Hindi in Tamil land” etc. Instead of preaching nationalistic feelings, linguistic feelings are being provoked. May be it’s time to break these bigger linguistic states into smaller manageable units at the best interest of the National integrity.

 

Again, to divide these bigger states, the same old principle can be applied. 1. Identify the backward areas within a state to separate them and form a new state or, 2. Respond to the sentimental demands of the sub-region of a state to separate them and form a new state.

 

In the case of Telangana, both the above reasons look valid (with the later one being a stronger reason). Moreover the demand of separate Telangana is a byproduct of the union of Andhra and Hyderabad states. Time and again it has been ignited by the dejected Telangana politicians in the hands of their counterpart Andhra leaders. The issue has become a politicized handball for the opposition and ruling governments of AP with each one throwing it into others’ court whenever they wish to score a point each. With the advent of a dedicated third team i.e TRS, into this crooked political game, it turned out into an arena of sledging and mudslinging at each other. The atmosphere in AP is completely spoiled and there has to be a permanent closure to this political game. A virtual wall has been already raised across the regions. Hyderabad’s image as a ‘global IT and Pharma hub’ is being tarnished in the continuous ruptures between Andhra and Telangana people. Common man is now prepared to separate – only the nitty-gritty’s of separation needs to be worked out, disputed issues need to be addressed. The Indian government should not resort to the age old delay tactics. Unless majority of the people within a state identify themselves as a singular unit, it’s extremely difficult to contain them. Continuously ignoring the demand of Telangana people may lead to a much bigger and dangerous ‘separatist’ attitude.

 

The situation in Andhra Pradesh demands a permanent solution to all the mess created by juxtaposing Andhra and Hyderabad states! It’s better to resolve this now at the best National interests!!