Help spread the truth about Telangana region of India. Since 1956, when Andhra and Telangana merged, Telangana has gotten the short end of the stick in terms of natural resources, funding and representation in government. Though two major rivers have their sources in Telangana, irrigation projects divert the precious water to other areas. The feelings have often spilled over into violence, and in 1969, 400 people died in Telangana-related violence.

Friday, February 26, 2010

AP Govt scoring a self-goal?


(Courtesy : http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=AP+Govt+scoring+a+self-goal?&artid=|ZA3OuTwrsw=&SectionID=e7uPP4|pSiw=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EH8HilNJ2uYAot5nzqumeA==&SEO=)


The Andhra Pradesh Government found itself in a cleft stick on its claim before the Supreme Court about the presence of Maoists on the Osmania University campus, which had become an epicenter of the ongoing movement for a separate Telangana.

Having come under flak for the deployment of paramilitary forces on the campus, both in the High Court as well as the apex court, the government sought to justify its action citing infiltration of Maoists but was caught in a quandary with the Supreme Court seeking evidence of the same.

There was more than one reason for the government’s weak defence, a) none other than Tirupati Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the Osmania University, had himself denied Maoist presence on the campus; b) The Maoist-sponsored Telangana bandh on January 2 was an utter failure while similar calls by the students and political parties evoked total response; c) extremist violence in 2008 and 2009 had been the least in the state since the emergence of the CPI–ML and the Maoist group itself had admitted having lost its base in Telangana; d) in the past three months, neither had there been any evidence of the arrest of any Maoist nor any student had been caught with any weapon; e) on various occasions, the state government had claimed that the Maoist presence in the state, Telangana in particular, was negligible and, in fact, Delhi had started citing Andhra Pradesh as a model for other states in checking Naxal activity.

The government, it appears, was preparing to highlight the statements issued by some Maoist leaders in support of Telangana as a pointer to their active participation in the movement but whether it will cut ice with the judiciary remains to be seen.

The matter will come up for hearing on Friday. In fact, a section of the police officers were of the view that the government was playing with fire by using unwarranted force on students taking out peaceful rallies on the campus, creating further unrest among a section that was already frustrated for a variety of reasons.

In the long run, this approach might prove counter-productive too, one of them reasoned.

He is not off the mark.

This was precisely what had happened in the late 60s when the then government crushed the separate Telangana movement with brute force, a process which saw the death of more than 300 students in firing or lathicharge. The frustration caused by the deaths resulted in substantial recruitment into the Naxalite movement and a majority of the current top ranking Maoist leaders are those who joined it in the early and mid 70s.

While a majority were from the upper classes then, the students, who are bearing the brunt of the police force now, are mostly from the backward classes and the Dalits clamouring for a rightful share in the socio-economic structure.

SC rejects AP’s proof on Maoists in Osmania


(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/sc-rejects-ap%E2%80%99s-proof-maoists-osmania-737)

The secret evidence about the “presence” of Maoists in the Osmania University did not impress the Supreme Court much when it was presented before a division Bench here on Friday. After rejecting the claims, the apex court sought an explanation from the state government why Greyhounds, the anti-naxal elite force, was deployed on the campus.

The case was heard by a Bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly. Justice Singhvi said, “There are certain inputs that there are some sympathisers (of Maoists). Mere sympathy with X,Y,Z or some other persons will not make them criminals?”

Taking strong exception to the deployment of Greyhounds to deal with the agitation by the pro-Telangana students, Justice Singhvi asked the state government counsel, Mr Mukul Rohtagi, “If you say Greyhounds are deployed in this situation, will you deploy them when there is a political agitation?”

“The students were holding meetings there and expressing their views on an issue, you can’t prevent anyone from expressing their views,” the apex court observed.

The state’s lawyer acknowledged that the deployment of Greyhounds was not a wise decision and said the elite force had already been withdrawn.

But the court was not satisfied with a mere assurance by the state’s counsel and directed it to file an affidavit explaining the reasons why the anti-naxal force was at all sent inside the university.

Posting further hearing in the case to March 19, the court directed the government to submit its affidavit by March 9 and directed the three-member panel comprising home secretary, the Hyderabad police commissioner and the OU VC, to submit a status report on the situation in “sealed cover” by March 12.

The court, however, said that the state would be free to deploy its police force in the campus as per the requirement to maintain the law and order and ensure smooth conduct the exams.


Panel to examine paramilitary presence on Osmania campus

(Courtesy : http://sify.com/news/Panel-to-examine-paramilitary-presence-on-Osmania-campus-news-National-kc0s4dfdhgi.html )

The Supreme Court Friday asked the Andhra Pradesh government to form a high-level three-member panel to examine if paramilitary forces needed to be deployed on the Onsmania University campus, dubbed as the hotbed for the movement for separate Telangana.

A bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice A.K. Ganguly said the panel headed by state home secretary would comprise the Osmania University vice chancellor and Hyderabad police commissioner.

'The committee will take steps in next ten days to restore peace in the university,' said the bench adding 'if any deployment of forces is required in university or surrounding area, it should be done in the consultation with the committee'.

The bench, however, said that 'the state government will be free to deploy civil police to ensure law and order in the university campus'.

The bench was hearing a lawsuit by the state government challenging the state's high court order to it to pull out paramilitary forces from the university campus. The high court order was suspended earlier by the apex court.

With the state government failing in categorically telling the court if the Osmania University students' stir for a separate state was infiltrated by Maoists, the apex court quizzed the state government on its rationale for deploying the elite anti-Maoist force 'Greyhounds' in the university campus.

The bench sought to know if such anti-Maoist forces had ever been deployed to quell public rallies or meetings organised by various political parties.

Upholding the students' democratic right to hold public meeting and express their views on any issue, the bench said: 'The Students were holding a meeting. They were expressing their views on an issue. You cannot prevent them from expressing their views.'

While granting liberty to the students to hold meetings and rallies inside the campus, the bench said such meeting should be convened only after due permission from competent authorities. The bench, however, asked the authorities to ensure that no outsider attend such meetings.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Will conclude consultations by July: Telangana panel

(Courtesy : http://www.zeenews.com/news606618.html)


The Srikrishna Committee on Telangana issue has said it would wrap up consultations with key stakeholders by July this year and asked the Joint Action Council (JAC), spearheading the agitation for a separate state, not to boycott it.

V K Duggal, member-secretary of the five-member Committee, who arrived here Tuesday night to put in place the necessary infrastructure for starting its work, said, "We will get enough material to give a balanced report".

Faced with JAC's decision to boycott the Committee in protest against its Terms of Reference (ToR), Duggal hoped that responses would be forthcoming once the intent of the panel is understood.
"The proof of the pudding is in its eating. I am 100 percent sure that when the people see the intention, even those who are boycotting...Once they see the purpose, I have no doubt we will get enough material to give a balanced report," he said.

Asked how the Committee would take the views of those who are boycotting, Duggal said, "The voices will be counted as good response has already come.

"We have received 50 memoranda so far since February 20 when the public notice was issued. It is your option. I cannot force you. Once the intent of the Committee is known, the responses will be forthcoming," he said.

A fresh public notice could also be issued, with the approval of the Chairman of the Committee, Justice B N Srikrishna, for seeking responses, he said.

Advocates lead T movement

(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/karimnagar/advocates-lead-t-movement-538)

Professionals, particularly lawyers, are taking the initiative in the ongoing separate Telangana movement.

Bar associations in the district are leading the agitation. For the last two months, advocates in Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Armoor, Yellareddy and Bodhan towns have been playing an active role in the separate Telangana movement. Seniors and lady advocates are also active.

On Monday, around 100 advocates from the district participated in a protest at Parliament. On par with the political joint action committee (JAC), advocates have also been organising several agitations for separate statehood.

The Nizamabad Bar Association conducted Satyanarayana vratham, and special prayers by Muslim advocates, seeking immediate carving out of a new state.

Advocates declared that they would extend free legal aid to Telangana agitators, and also extended moral support to students of the Telangana University (TU).

They are also in touch with the students JAC of Telangana University.

Speaking to this newspaper, senior advocate Takkar Hanmanth Reddy said that being intellectuals, advocates were extending their solidarity to the separate Telangana state movement.

He admitted that because of their involvement in the Telangana movement, court transactions had been affected.

Meanwhile, Kamareddy Bar Association members boycotted court on Monday and staged a rasta roko at Nizamsagar (Kistaiah) chowrasta.

Due to this, vehicular traffic on the Nizamabad-Hyderabad and Sircilla-Yellareddy routes was disrupted. The advocates raised slogans against the Congress government and demanded introduction of a separate Telangana bill in Parliament. Police reached the Nizamsagar crossroads and convinced the agitating advocates to call off the rasta roko.

Parties told to reveal their T-stand

(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/parties-told-reveal-their-t-stand-264)

The political parties adopting dual standards or maintaining silence over the Telangana issue will soon have to reveal their stand on the issue.

The Justice B.N. Srikrishna committee member secretary, Mr V.K. Duggal, said here on Wednesday that the eight recognised political parties in the state have been asked to submit their views to the committee by March 22.

When it was brought to his notice that leaders within a political party were found expressing divergent views, Mr Duggal said that was the reason why the designated presidents of the political parties have been asked to submit the view on the party’s behalf.

This means the Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Mr D. Srinivas, and the Majlis-Ittehadul-Muslimeen chief, Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, will have to make their stands known.

While the Congress and the TD continue their dual approach, leaving it to leaders of respective regions to agitate for or against Telangana, the MIM has not revealed its opinions. Later in the day, Mr Duggal called on the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, at the legislative assembly.

OU JAC to ignore Srikrishna panel, appeals against T-suicide

(Courtesy : http://www.mynews.in/News/OU_JAC_to_ignore_Srikrishna_panel,_appeals_against_T-suicide_N38984.html)

Hours before arrival of Justice Srikrishna Committee member-Secretary V K Duggal on a preliminary rendezvous, the Joint Action Committee of the Telangana Osmania University students (JAC OU) today announced it will abstain from interacting with the panel.

Instead, they decided to enlarge its ''peaceful movement'' beyond the university campus to take it into the remotest village of Telangana.

The OU JAC, at its meeting in front of the Arts College, asserted that it was futile to depose before the Justice Srikrishna Committee and demanded ''direct introduction of a Bill in the Parliament'' for the creation of separate Telangana state.

At the political level, the OU JAC announced that it would work right from the villages in the Telangana region and mount pressure on those Telangana legislators, who had not submitted their resignations so far.

Even while discounting reports that OU JAC would convert into a political party on the lines of Navnirman Samithi in Gujarat and All Assam Students Union (AASU) in Assam, the OU JAC made it clear that their support was for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislators because ''they had resigned from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Council.''

Telangana JAC sans Congress not weak, says Kodandaram

(Courtesy : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/telangana-jac-sans-congress-not-weak-says-kodandaram/583914/0)

The Joint Action Committee (JAC), spearheading the separate Telangana agitation, on Wednesday said the exit of the the ruling Congress has not weakened its movement.

"Non-party forums have been playing a leading role in the movement. Congress leaders were confined to lobbying in Delhi. It helped to some extent. But the absence of Congress would not make much of a difference as far as the movement is concerned," JAC Convener C Kodandaram said here.

He said the Telangana agitation was initiated by non-party forums in 1996 and the movement got a push with the formation of TRS in 2001 and parties like BJP supporting it.

"The non-party forums were revived after 2004 and they are playing a creative and major role," he said.

The exit of the Congress from the JAC, he said, would give a clear direction to the pro-Telangana agitation and actually help strengthen the movement with other parties and non-party forums playing an effective role, he said. Kodandaram said the JAC decided to boycott the Srikrishna committee as it cannot rely on it, as a political decision has to be taken on the demand for Telangana.

Don't boycott us, Telangana panel tells JAC

(Courtesy : http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/24/dont-boycott-us-telangana-panel-tells-jac.htm)

The Srikrishna Committee on the Telangana issue has said it would wrap up consultations with key stakeholders by July this year and urged the Joint Action Council, which is spearheading the agitation for a separate state, not to boycott it.

V K Duggal, member-secretary of the five-member Committee, who arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday night to put in place the necessary infrastructure to start its work, said, "We will get enough material to give a balanced report".

Faced with the JAC's decision to boycott the Committee to protest against its Terms of Reference, Duggal hoped that responses would be forthcoming once the intent of the panel is understood.

"The proof of the pudding is in its eating. I am 100 per cent sure that when the people see the intention, even those who are boycotting (will support it). Once they see the purpose, I have no doubt we will get enough material to give a balanced report," he said.

Asked how the Committee would take the views of those who have boycotted it, Duggal said, "The voices will be counted as good response has already come. We have received 50 memoranda so far since February 20, when the public notice was issued. It is your option. I cannot force you. Once the intent of the Committee is known, the responses will be forthcoming," he said.

A fresh public notice could also be issued, with the approval of the Chairman of the Committee Justice B N Srikrishna, for seeking responses, he said.

The Committee will start holding consultations with various groups and political parties from the middle of March in Hyderabad and other places in the state on the issue of the creation of a separate Telangana state. The panel has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to make available infrastructure and other facilities for holding meetings in the state.
"These things have to be done before we start the consultation process in the middle of March. We will be holding consultations with all sections of people," he said.

Duggal said the Committee needs interpreters, stenographers, recorders, conference rooms and other facilities for carrying out its work in the state.

"The Committee also needs a place for holding consultations and meeting delegations from various organisations on the issue. All these issues have to be solved before the process begins," he said.

Duggal met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah in Hyderabad on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the five-member Committee's work. Sources in the Chief Minister's Office described the meeting as a 'courtesy' as Duggal was visiting the state for the first time since the constitution of the Committee.

"Duggal had a one-on-one interaction with the chief minister in the latter's chambers in the Council," a senior official in the CMO said.

More protests for separate Telangana state in India

(Courtesy : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8515689.stm)

More protests have broken out in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh in support of the proposal to create a separate state called Telangana.

At least 20 people were injured as angry students clashed with police in the state capital, Hyderabad.

In December, Indian authorities said Telangana would be carved out of the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh, but later said more talks were needed.

The state has seen weeks of violent protests for and against the proposals.

Police used batons and fired tear gas shells to break up a demonstration by students at Osmania university on Monday morning. It was the second day of clashes between police and students at the university campus.

No consensus

Meanwhile, the state assembly speaker has accepted the resignations of 11 pro-Telangana opposition legislators who resigned on Sunday.

More resignations are due on Monday.

The legislators are protesting against the Indian government's decision to set up a committee to look into demands for the formation of Telangana state.

The government announced the formation of the committee, headed by an ex-chief justice of the Supreme Court, earlier this month.

The protesting legislators are calling for the immediate creation of Telangana.

In January, a meeting of different political parties to discuss the issue failed to arrive at a consensus.

The leaders of the political parties who attended the meeting called for calm in Andhra Pradesh and agreed to hold further talks.

Correspondents say there are deep divisions within political parties over the Telangana issue.

The final decision to create a new state lies with the Indian parliament, but the sharply divided state assembly must pass a resolution approving its creation.

Amar, Javadekar join pro-Telangana stir; slam Centre

(Courtesy : http://www.ptinews.com/news/530528_Amar--Javadekar-join-pro-Telangana-stir--slam-Centre)

BJP leader Prakash Javadekar and expelled Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today shared the stage for the cause of Telangana statehood and accused the UPA government of not heeding to the demand of the people.

The two addressed a rally by pro-Telangana advocates from Andhra Pradesh here. Singh was seen joining Javadekar when the latter raised the "Jai-Jai Telangana" slogan from the dais.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley could not turn up.

Singh, who demanded carving out Poorvanchal, Harit Pradesh and Bundelkhand from Uttar Pradesh, said smaller states were necessary for a faster pace of development.

"When I was the General Secretary of SP, I could not openly support the demand for Telangana in Parliament as the party was against smaller states.

India state protester dies after setting himself ablaze

(Courtesy : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8527605.stm)

An Indian teenager has died of his injuries after setting himself on fire during protests for a new southern state of Telangana.

S Yadaiah, 19, set himself ablaze on Saturday in the city of Hyderabad.

The unemployed orphan died of his injuries in hospital on Sunday. A note he is reported to have left said the proposed state would mean more jobs.

Andhra Pradesh, from which Telangana would be carved, has seen weeks of protests for and against the new state.

Campaigners say Telangana's economic development has been neglected in favour of the richer and more powerful Andhra region - and that a new state is the only solution

Divisions

Reports say Mr Yadaiah doused himself with petrol from a bottle kept in his bag, and lit a match while watching a procession of university students.

"The suicide note in his bag shows that he was frustrated due to lack of proper employment," police official Srinivasa Rao was quoted as saying by The Indian Express newspaper.

"He wrote that a separate Telangana state would ensure jobs for hundreds of youths like him and that he was immolating himself in protest against the delay in formation of the new state."

In December, India's government said that Telangana would be carved out of the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh, but later said more talks were needed.

The government has decided to set up a committee to look into demands for the formation of Telangana state.

Correspondents say there are deep divisions within political parties over the Telangana issue.

The final decision to create a new state lies with the Indian parliament, but the sharply divided state assembly must pass a resolution approving its creation.

Pro-Telangana protests reach Delhi

(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pro-Telangana-protests-reach-Delhi/articleshow/5603610.cms)

Hundreds of lawyers from Telangana staged a protest rally Monday in the national capital demanding statehood for the region and tried to enter the parliament annexe, police said.

Holding placards with messages such as "Lathi, goli khayenge, Telanagana le jaayenge" (we will suffer baton and bullets but will take Telangana) and shouting "Jai Telangana", men and women dressed in their black and white lawyers' attiregathered at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital and voiced their demands.

The protest was timed to coincide with the opening day of the budget session of parliament.

The agitating lawyers demanded that a bill for formation of a separate Telangana state should be moved in parliament at the earliest.

They tried to march to parliament but were stopped by police who were present in large numbers. Police used water cannons to disperse the protestors.

However, a group of nearly 150 lawyers slipped away and managed to reach near the parliament annexe. They tried to forcibly enter the place, but were stopped by the security personnel.

"The situation is under control and no one has been allowed to enter (the parliament annexe). Extra police force has been called," a senior police officer said.

The Telangana region comprises nine districts of Andhra Pradesh, including the state capital Hyderabad. The separate statehood to Telangana is vehemently opposed by the two other regions of the state - Rayalseema and Andhra.

OU VC denies Maoist presence on campus

(Coutesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/ou-vc-denies-maoist-presence-campus-364)

The Osmania University vice-chancellor Prof. Tirupathi Rao on Sunday said there are no Maoists on the university campus and the allegation that Maoists have infiltrated the campus under cover of the Telangana movement is “baseless”. Prof Rao was speaking to reporters at OU.

His statement contradicts the submission made by the state government this week in the Supreme Court that there is “sufficient evidence” that Maoists have infiltrated the campus and are taking shelter there.

The government also informed the apex court that Maoists have significantly infiltrated the pro-Telangana movement and are posing as agitators.

When reporters pointed out the government’s stand, Prof. Rao said, “I don’t know why the home ministry has given such a report to the government. We have no information about the presence of Maoists on the campus or about them taking shelter in the student hostels. Not a single such instance has come to our notice till now.”

Prof. Rao also wants the executive council of the university to be informed before police forces are deployed on campus.

“It’s not that we don’t require the police to control violence on the campus. If the need arises, we will definitely seek their help. However, the police department should inform the university about such deployment in advance,” he said.

He also urged students not to disrupt academics and exams through agitations.

“It’s not just the question of 10,000 students who are pursuing studies on the campus. It’s about the future of nearly 50,000 students who are studying in the university-affiliated colleges. If the exams are postponed because of tension on the campus, all the other students will have to suffer for no fault of theirs,” he said.

He warned that if there is, a “zero year”, students will have to face the consequences when they apply for further studies or jobs.

T lawyers break Delhi cop cordon

(Courtesy : http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/t-lawyers-break-delhi-cop-cordon-577)

Hundreds of lawyers belonging to the Telangana Joint Action Committee assembled at Jantar Mantar in the national capital and demanded that the Bill a separate state be introduced in the ongoing Parliament session.

They were joined by the BJP leader, Mr Prakash Javadekar, and the expelled Samajwadi Party leader, Mr Amar Singh.

Later in the day, the lawyers hoodwinked the police and reached within 100 metres of the Parliament building before being arrested near the Parliament annexe. For almost 90 minutes, the protestors blocked the traffic in the area.

The lawyers later gheraoed the Union minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy, and demanded that he resign for Telangana statehood.

After their protest in the Parliament premises, the Telangana Congress MPs including Mr Ponnam Prabhakar, Mr G. Vivekanand and Mr Madhu Goud Yashki said they met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and briefed him on the political situation.

“The PM said it is a serious situation and the government is working for a solution. He also expressed concern over the deaths of people during the agitation,” Mr Yaskhi said. The party spokesperson, Mr Abhishek Singhvi, said although the Congress considered the demand for a separate Telangana an important issue, there was no need for the President’s address to the joint session of Parliament to comment on each and every issue. “But that does not mean that the issue is off the table,” he said.

Exams can wait, Osmania students see future in passing Telangana test

(Courtesy : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/exams-can-wait-osmania-students-see-future-in-passing-telangana-test/583108/0)


For the sixth time in two months Osmania University (OU) postponed its exams this week due to the pro-Telangana student agitation and the volatile situation on the campus. But the students do not seem to be too bothered. The Telangana issue rages on and they are all consumed by passion. The university administration, though grappling to maintain academic schedules, feels it is in keeping with the character of OU that its students are at the forefront of a major issue like the demand for formation of a new state.
The nerve-centre of the ongoing agitation, OU, established in 1918, has always been in the thick of action whether it is the Telangana movement, Left-ideology or politics. In January 1969, when there were general protests against the withdrawal of certain special benefits provided by the Centre to Telangana, OU students took the lead and started a massive agitation that spread across the region like wildfire. The intensity of the agitation was such that it enveloped government employees from Telangana, teachers, lecturers and professors of colleges and universities in the region, elected representatives and political leaders, who en masse joined the students. At least 360 students were killed in police firing and violence that occurred during that agitation.
Founded by the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, OU happens to be the first modern university of the country with Urdu as the medium of teaching. Famous for its Management, Engineering and Technology faculties, OU has over a dozen faculties.
Since November 29, 2009, the situation on the campus has become explosive. What started off as a protest against the arrest of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhara Rao, before he started his fast unto death, has snowballed into a major agitation. Almost every day, demonstrations, police baton charges, stone-pelting occur here and students brave rubber bullets and tear-gas shells. So far, four students have immolated themselves allegedly for the Telangana cause, two have succumbed. More than 120 students have landed in hospital with injuries during police action. In several instances, especially a day or two before exams were scheduled to start, students incited violence by provoking the police and paramilitary forces by pelting them with stones.
On February 14 evening, students tried to attack a CRPF tent which resulted in the police firing teragas shells and rubber bullets. The OU postponed MBA and MCA exams that were to begin on February 15. There was violence again on February 15 evening resulting in postponing of exams that were to be held the next day.
Leading the agitation is a group of students from the Arts stream, supported by hundreds of hostel boarders and students of other faculties. The OU and its affiliated colleges have at least three lakh students. Nagam Kumaraswamy, head of the Students’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) which is spearheading the agitation on the campus, says the agitation will continue till the Telangana goal is achieved. “This agitation cuts across all political, caste and religious lines. It will only intensify because of the delaying tactics of the Centre. But we will not give up. Students are willing to put their careers at stake for the sake of Telangana because it is not only about a separate state but also our identity and pride,” Kumaraswamy, a Political Science student, says. “Students of OU have this time converted the movement, which till now was a movement among the intellectuals and upper class, into a full-blown agitation involving all classes. The students’ involvement has forced all political parties to sit up and take notice and pledge their support.”
Unlike in the past, due to the students the agitation has penetrated into other districts of Telangana region where small JACs have been formed which keep organising dharnas or relay hunger strikes to keep the issue alive.
The unity among students over the agitation is such that even final year students, whose fate hangs in the balance due to the frequent postponement of exams and semesters being behind schedule, also take part, aware that they might lose job opportunities if an academic year is wasted or delayed. Most students feel that if they have a separate state they will get jobs and economic equality. “All of us believe that people from Andhra and Rayalaseema region have taken away our job opportunities. They have cornered all the plum posts, have come to Hyderabad and prospered in business using our resources. It is time we reclaim all that,” says Praveen Reddy, head of the TRS student wing
“The agitation is going on irrespective of the split within political parties. MLAs and MPs of Telangana region of all parties are divided over the issue but it does not affect the students,” adds Praveen Reddy.
With several lecturers and professors sympathetic to the Telangana cause, the OU administration is making all efforts to ease the academic pressure on the students. Prof B S Rao, who heads the newly formed students-teachers coordination committee, says the OU has made arrangements for students to attend classes of the next semester even if exams are not held for the previous semester.
“It is an institutional mechanism to deal with the agitation and its impact on academics. By coordinating with student leaders we are making sure that classes are not affected much and those students who want to attend can do so. As exams are getting postponed frequently we have decided to hold one exam per week. This takes pressure off the students as they don’t have to prepare for all the exams at one go when the situation in the campus is not conducive. It is the students’ wish and OU cannot say whether the students can protest or not on the campus,” Prof Rao says. “On our part, lecturers and professors of the coordination committee meet students and counsel them how the agitation may affect their studies and careers and what they should do. It is an emotional issue for the students; on the one hand they don’t want to give up the agitation on the other, they know it may affect their careers.”

Sri Krishna committee email address

This is the email for the so called committee. Let us try our best from our side.

vkduggal.ccsap@mha.gov.in

Please email with some points and also forward it to who so ever need this.

Three more suicides for Telangana

(Courtesy : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Three-more-suicides-for-Telangana/articleshow/5605234.cms)

Within 12 hours of the death of teenager S Yadaiah of 85% burns, three more youngsters, including two students, committed suicide across Telangana region on Monday.

A Sarita, an intermediate student of a Hyderabad college, hanged herself at her home in Aziz Colony of Moinabad in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district when her parents left for work.

Police found a suicide note, purportedly written by Sarita, which said: ‘‘So many people are dying for Telangana. Rosaiah and Chandrababu Naidu, can’t you see this. Have you become blind and deaf? I am committing suicide for Telangana.’’

The teenager’s family told police since she saw Yadaiah in flames on TV, she was very disturbed. After the news of her suicide spread, several political leaders and Telangana activists reached Moinabad to console her family members. Angry residents soon gheraoed local TDP MLA KS Ratnam and demanded his resignation. However, local leaders pacified the mob.

In second incident, a class X student, Ramoji Swamy, 15, of Chellapur village in Medak district committed suicide by consuming pesticide at his residence on Monday afternoon. A youth, Bashpaka Bhaskar, 23, who had attempted suicide by consuming pesticies on Sunday night, died on Monday at Gavicharla village of Sangem mandal in Warangal district. In a suicide note, Bhaskar said he was worried over the number of youth and students committing suicide for Telangana.

Monday, February 15, 2010

High Court slams Andhra Police attrocities in Osmania (OU) - Feb 15,2009











Police behave like a gang of rowdy elements on Osmania University students (Feb 14-15, 2010)

















(By Srinath Vudali at 15 Feb 2010 09:32:18 AM IST )
It was around 9.30 p.m. when I entered the Osmania University campus to cover the breaking news. All that we heard till then was that there was a clash between police and students.There was an eerie silence on the dim lit road leading to the Arts College where a group of students, both boys and girls, were staging a demonstration. I sat a few yards away from them at the bus-stop, kind of a vantage point, listening to their slogans.All was well, except for the chill in the air. All of a sudden, the students took to their heels. I stood up to see a posse of armed policemen running towards the students.Call it fear or instinct for self-preservation, it took over me as the police, looking every bit like an invading army, marched forward menacingly.I ran alongside several other students as fast as my legs could take me to the nearest shelter: Arts College. A heart-piercing scream made me look over my shoulder as I stepped into the building. A policeman had just landed a mighty blow on a girl who was pillion riding on a bike.As I turned back with a shudder, some experienced students bolted the massive doors of the building from inside.It was around 9.45 p.m. The students ran in all directions inside the building, while some tried to get a bird’s eyeview of the police action from balconies, others and perhaps, the wiser ones, remained in the great indoors.But then, the most terrifying thing happened. The police began to pelt stones. Some of their colleagues began firing rubber bullets and lobbing teargas shells to smoke us out. Fortunately, none fell inside.This continued for a good halfan- hour. The terrorised students screamed and cried. Some called up their parents, the cellphones were godsend. But their fear multiplied as the batteries went down.One of the students, a girl, was injured and I could see her limping even as she wiped her tears.‘‘Nothing will happen. Don’t worry,’’ a student consoled the others. He seemed like a prophet.Sure enough, the bullet sounds subsided. But none dared venture outside. After waiting for some more time, we mustered enough courage to open the doors. A group of students were standing in front of the building. Never had I experienced such relief upon finding a group of students. I yelled to the others to come out.The trauma lasted for about an hour. I walked briskly to the health centre to get my bike. The two-wheeler was there alright. But the watchman was not. He too was thrashed by the cops.




 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Grievances of Telangana proponents

(Courtesy : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telangana#Grievances_of_Telangana_proponents)

Telangana is the largest single region of the three regions of Andhra Pradesh state covering 41.47% of its total area, is inhabited by 40.54% of the state's population, contributes about 76% to the state's revenues(if you exclude center contribution). From Central govt: 19.86%, From Telangana: 61.47%(including 37.17% from capital), From Andhra: 14.71, From Rayalaseema: 3.90%.  Among others, alleged injustices in water, budget allocations, jobs are the grievances cited by Telangana proponents.

Irrigation: Within the state of Andhra Pradesh,68.5% of catchment area of river Krishna and 69% of catchment area of river Godavari are in the Telangana region. The benefit of irrigation through the canal system under major irrigation projects is accruing substantially, i.e. 74.25%, to the Coastal Andhra region. While the share of Telangana is 18.20%, the remaining 7.55% goes to the Rayalaseema region. State's expenditure on Telangana's major irrigation projects is just 18.20% of total expenditure.

Education : The share of Telangana as a percent of the total expenditure of the state on salaries of staff in educational institutions in 2001 is as follows:

i. Primary schools (government): 31.44%
ii. Primary schools (aided): 9.86%
iii. Degree colleges (government): 37.85%
iv. Degree colleges (aided): 21.79%

Above numbers includes the expenditure in Capital Hyderabad.

Budget Allocations: Expenditure incurred on this region has never been more than 25% to 30% of total expenditure of Andhra Pradesh. Most years, funds allocated to Telangana were never fully spent.

Jobs: Only 20% of total Government employees, less than 10% employees in secretariate, less than 5% of head of the departments in Andhra Pradesh are from Telangana. In 1985, Government published G.O 610 to remove/transfer all the non-locals in government jobs in Telangana region, against the six point formula. By this time in 1985, 58,000 non-locals have occupied jobs in Telangana region. The Girglaini Commission set up in 2001, came up with a report that around 2 lakh govt. jobs in Telangana region are enjoyed by migrants from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

Political power: Andhra Pradesh was ruled by Telangana chief ministers for only 6-1/2 years out of over five decades of its existance. No Telangana chief minister was in power continuously for more than 2-1/2 years.

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

Telangana Journal : Articles on Telangana State Movement