Time for T protagonists to look at history

Those agitating for a separate Telangana can do well to recall the events following the findings of the States Reorganisation Committee in 1955 and seek justice in a Court of Law instead of taking to the streets.

This is more necessary as the government is determined to silence the stir deploying Central forces like in 1969.

History has indeed turned a full circle as the agitations have broken out in the region over the issue of a separate statehood for Telangana.  

The Justice Srikrishna Panel, as expected, made best of its attempts to toe the line of ruling Congress in marked contrast to how the then States Reorganisation Committee (SRC) Chairman Justice Fazal Ali reacted on the same issue in its nascent form in 1955.

True to his stature Justice Fazal Ali, at the helm of the then Panel, envisaged the merger of the Telangana region with the then Andhra state but on certain conditions.

He was of a firm and clear opinion that the merger can go on, provided both the parties had come to the negotiating table with 'manthra' of consensus.

 "Opinion in Andhra is in favour of a united state as against the Telanganites who were yet to consolidate or form their opinion. The unification, though desirable, should be 'voluntary' and willing

association of the people of both the regions," stated Justice Fazal Ali in his Report.

He was very forthright and commanding in issuing terms and conditions for harnessing the unity and integration of both the regions.

The Fazal Ali Panel's findings were interesting and as much portray how two Judges then and now gauged the public opinion on a sensitive issue and then made public their observations, the former declaring his unequivocal stand and the latter adopting chauvinistic style and buckling under pressure.

While Justice Fazal Ali's remarks retained the true aspirations of the regions, Justice Srikrishna adopted a line that was favourable to the ruling Congress.

Undoubedly the Congress thrived on promoting sycophantism.

In 1955 there was a mass upsurge in Andhra for a 'Visalandhra' state. Yet Justice Fazal Ali found that those in Telangana were not enamoured of an integrated state for obvious reasons.

The leaders from both the regions differed.

It was in this context that the Centre had intervened and a 10-point pact was signed by Burugula Ramakrishna Rao, Hyderabad, and Bezwada Gopala Reddy, Andhra.

Prominent and highlight of the pact was formation of a Regional Committee exclusively to protect the interests of the Telangana people.

The pact was unique and assumed importance as it ensured protection of 'Mulkis' so far as the jobs in the subordinate cadres were concerned.

It also emboldened locals to claim a special facility in educational institutions and even the Telangana MLAs were empowered to claim 40 percent berths in the state Cabinet. Thus the 1955 SRC's findings became a reality for not ignoring the locals in any respect.

But contrary to expectations, the dominance of Andhraites to corner the jobs, looplined the 'Mulkis'.

The situation was no better even after NTR issued GO 610 to save Mulkis but in vain.