Telangana Mobilization Phase (1971–1990)

Telangana Mobilization Phase (1971–1990): An Overview

Background 

The Telangana Mobilization Phase from 1971 to 1990 is a crucial chapter in the history of the demand for a separate Telangana state. This phase followed the 1969 Telangana agitation, during which the region witnessed significant protests for the creation of Telangana. Although the earlier movement led to temporary promises and pacification, it failed to result in the formation of a separate state. The 1971–1990 phase marked a period of reawakening, political realignment, and further mobilization towards the same goal.

Significance

This phase was significant because it laid the groundwork for the later, more successful agitation in the 2000s, which culminated in the formation of Telangana in 2014. The Mobilization Phase saw the development of a regional identity based on long-standing issues like underdevelopment, unemployment, and unequal allocation of resources. It was a period during which Telangana's political consciousness was nurtured, and important political milestones shaped the future trajectory of the movement.

Key Milestones

1. 1971 Lok Sabha Elections:

In the aftermath of the 1969 Telangana agitation, there was widespread disillusionment with national parties. The Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS), a regional party formed to represent the cause of Telangana, achieved significant success in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections, winning 10 out of 14 seats. This was a clear indication of the popular support for the Telangana cause.

However, post-election, TPS merged with Congress, leaving many supporters feeling betrayed. This dampened the momentum of the movement for some time.

2. Gentlemen’s Agreement (1973):

The political leadership of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh entered into an agreement known as the Gentlemen’s Agreement to address some of the grievances of the Telangana region, such as protecting jobs and ensuring regional quotas. It also led to the formation of a six-point formula, which aimed to create a more equitable power-sharing mechanism between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

This agreement temporarily pacified some sections of the population, but it failed to resolve the deep-rooted issues of regional inequality.

3. The 1980s: The Rise of Political Mobilization:

During the 1980s, political parties like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), founded by N. T. Rama Rao in 1982, began to dominate the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. While the TDP was focused on Telugu pride and development, it was also seen as neglecting the specific concerns of Telangana.

The 1980s also saw the emergence of more intellectual and grassroots activism in Telangana, with students, academics, and civil society groups playing an essential role in reigniting the demand for statehood. The increasing socio-economic disparity between Telangana and coastal Andhra continued to fuel dissatisfaction.

4. University Movements and Cultural Mobilization:

Osmania University, located in Hyderabad, became a hotbed for student activism. Students organized strikes, demonstrations, and discussions, creating a space for debate on the Telangana issue.

Writers, poets, and artists from Telangana used their works to express regional aspirations. Literature, theater, and songs became powerful tools to mobilize public opinion in favor of statehood.

Key Leaders Involved

1.Marri Chenna Reddy:

The former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a strong advocate for Telangana is one of the prominent leaders of the 1969 Telangana agitation and a pivotal figure during the Mobilization Phase. Though his Telangana Praja Samithi merged with Congress in the early 1970s, he remained a key player in Telangana politics. His efforts helped keep the demand for Telangana alive in mainstream political discourse.

2. Prof. Jai Shankar:

Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar, a prominent ideologue of the Telangana movement, played a critical role during the mobilization phase. As an academic and activist, he strongly advocated for the separate state based on historical, cultural, and economic disparities between Telangana and Andhra regions.

3. T. N. Sadalakshmi:

An important political leader who supported the cause of Telangana and contributed significantly to mobilizing grassroots movements.

Notable Agitation Movements

1. Student Protests:

Throughout the 1980s, students from Osmania University and Kakatiya University were at the forefront of the protests. Their demands focused on jobs, educational opportunities, and political autonomy for Telangana. The government often responded with repressive measures, which only fueled further discontent.

2. Cultural Movements:

Telangana artists and writers like Kaloji Narayana Rao and Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu became key figures in the cultural mobilization of the Telangana identity. They wrote extensively about the exploitation of the region and called for its liberation from the perceived dominance of Andhra elites.

3. Political Mobilizations:

Periodic protests were organized by regional political parties and civil society organizations throughout the 1980s. These protests often called for job reservations, educational opportunities, and other development-related issues specific to Telangana.

Legacy and Impact

The Telangana Mobilization Phase (1971–1990) was instrumental in sustaining the demand for a separate state through periods of political uncertainty. Although the movement didn't achieve statehood during this phase, it laid the intellectual and political groundwork that would later culminate in the successful agitation in the 2000s.

Key outcomes from this period included:

• The consolidation of a unique Telangana identity, distinct from the rest of Andhra Pradesh.
• The establishment of a political and social foundation for later movements, particularly the formation of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001.
• The mobilization of grassroots support, particularly among students and the working class, ensuring that the movement retained its relevance.
• The persistence of these issues and the continued demand for a separate state became increasingly hard to ignore in the subsequent decades, leading to the creation of Telangana in 2014.