Andhra Pradesh   

The struggle for Andhra

The sacrifices made by Andhras led to the formation of states on linguistic basis. In 1950, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru also assumed the office of Congress president following the death of Vallabhbhai Patel.

His policies were by and large accepted in both party and government, except on a few causes.

But there was dillydallying on the demand for linguistic states. In private, Nehru deplored the idea but in public he said he would agree to their creation only if there was consensus among the people.

However, most Congressmen who spoke Marathi insisted on a separate Maharashtra state. Similarly, the aspirations of Congressmen who spoke Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, or Oriya for separate states became stronger.

Undoubtedly, the most vigorous movement for linguistic autonomy was from the Andhras. The Andhra Mahasabha had worked hard to cultivate a sense of identity among the Telugu-speaking people of the Madras Presidency.

There was a feeling among them of being discriminated against by the Tamils. The Mahasabha was also active in the princely state of Hyderabad.

After Independence, the Telugus asked the Congress to implement its old resolutions and accept formation of linguistic states.

They resorted to petitions, representations, street marches and fasts. In the monsoon of 1951, a Congressman-turned-swami named Sitaram went on a hunger strike demanding the immediate creation of an Andhra State. After five weeks, he gave it up in response to an appeal by Sarvodaya leader, Vinoba Bhave.

The Andhras opposed two leaders: the Prime Minister, and the Chief Minister of Madras, C. Rajagopalachari. It was because both leaders aired their feelings that that they did not think that the immediate creation of Andhra was a good idea. Both were clear that even if the state came into being, the city of Madras would not be a part of it.

This enraged the Andhras, who had a strong demographic and economic presence in the city, and who believed that they had as good a claim on it.

On October 19, 1952, Potti Sriramulu began a fast-unto-death in Madras. He had the blessings of Swami Sitaram, and also over overwhelming support from thousands of other Telugu-speaking people.

Born in an orthodox family in Madras in 1901, Sriramulu had studied Sanitary Engineering and then took employment in the railways. In 1930 he resigned from his post to join the Salt Satyagraha. Later, he spent some time at the Sabarmati Ashram.

Sreeramulu's stay at Sabarmati was touching. For here was a seeker full of love and humility, all service and all sacrifice for his fellow humanity.

While at Sabarmati, Sreeramulu did his tasks with cheer and devotion, and won the affection of the inmates and the approbation of the Gandhi.

On November 25, 1946 Sriramulu went on a fast-unto-death to demand the opening of all temples in Madras province to Harijans.

Other Congressmen, their minds more focussed on the impending freedom of India, urged him to desist. He refused initially but later abandoned it on being persuaded by Gandhi.

Later Sriramulu had a more pressing cause in Andhras' aspiration than the Harijans. This time he carried out his fast till the end, or until the Government of India gave in.

On December 3, Nehru wrote to Rajagopalachari: "Some kind of fast is going on for the Andhra Province and I get frantic telegrams. I am totally unmoved by this and I propose to ignore it completely".

By this time Sriramulu did not eat for six weeks. Hartals were called in many towns. Nehru now recognised the force of popular sentiment.

But the formal announcement was delayed, and Sriramulu continued his fast. On the 15th he died. The next day all hell broke loose.

Government offices were attacked and burnt, and trains were stopped and set ablaze. Several protesters were killed in police firings.

On the 16th, Nehru made a statement saying a state of Andhra would come into being.

The Telugu-speaking people across the world received the news with jubilation.

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