Telangana came into existence as India’s 29th state on June 2, 2014, capping the decades-old struggle in the region for carving out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh. Â Telangana was not an easy victory. The battle for a separate state, was carried out over a period of over 60 years. In November 1956, the government of India decided to merge Andhra and Telangana and form Andhra Pradesh. On 2 June 2014, K Chandrasekhara Rao was sworn in as Telangana’s first chief minister.
Here is how the struggle ended to the born of a new state.
- The ‘Gentleman Agreement’
The Gentlemen’s agreement of Andhra Pradesh was signed between Telangana and Andhra leaders before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956. The agreement provided safeguards with the purpose of preventing discrimination against Telangana by the government of Andhra Pradesh. To convince the leadership of Telangana, this agreement was signed to join the new state in 1956, against the SRC’s recommendations.
- 1972 Jai Andra Movement
After the formation of Andhra Pradesh state, the people of Telangana expressed dissatisfaction over the implementation of the agreements and guarantees.
In December 1968 OU students organised a rally to protest against discrimination in government jobs against Telangana people and irrigation. Discontent intensified when some of the guarantees agreed upon were supposed to lapse in January, 1969. Student agitation for the proper implementation of the guarantees began at Osmania University in Hyderabad and spread to other parts of the region.This agitation came to an end in September 1972, when Jai Andhra movement was exhibited.
- Hunger Strikes
TRS Chandrashekhar Rao declared a fast till death chant for the desire for a separate Telangana. He also demanded compensation of Rs 10 Lakh to the kin of the dead in Telangana. The Centre hesitated, however, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram finally came out with an announcement that it was “initiating the process for formation of Telangana state” on 9 December, 2009.
- On hold, with blood
In December 2009, the central government announced that it was putting Telangana issue on hold. This aroused protests across Telangana with some students ending their lives for a separate state. Post this was a period of unrest, Telagana region witnessed a series of agitation like the Million March, Chalo Assembly and Sakalajanula Samme (general strike) in 2011-12 while MLAs belonging to different parties quit from the House.
- Congress in Action
On December 2012 , Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde called for an all party meeting to discuss the Telangana issue, claiming that this would be the last meeting in light of the state bifurcation issue. It was attended by 8 parties, but was a failure as there was no conclusion reached; members of the Congress itself had opposing views.Congress later held a public meeting which was attended by over 1, 00,000 people to show their continuing support to the formation of Telangana. The party put the proposal to the Central Working Committee and everyone in the committee supported a resolution to form the state within a fixed timeframe and promised to pay close attention to the water sharing issues.
- Approved!
On 31st October 2013, the cabinet officially approved the formation of the new state of Telangana. However, it suggested the set up for a group of ministers (GoM) to look after the issues that may spring up as a result of the seperation of the state. Once the inputs were taken from the state assembly the Telangana bill was cleared and was sent to be introduced to the Parliament.
- Parliament and Pepper Spray
The bill in the parliament took a rather unusual turn. Lagadapati Rajagopal Seemandhra MP launched a pepper spray attack. Fragments of broken glass, displaced microphones and fights turned Lok Sabha into a war ground between those in supports and against the formation of the state of Telangana. This led to some politicians even being hospitalised. However, the bill was cleared from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The President gave his assent to the formation of Telangana. And June 2 was all set to be the foundation day of the new state of Telangana.
 – Tanvi Shah
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