Andhra Maha Sabha – How did they get it wrong?

ved · Telugu Veera Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2003

Andhra Maha Sabha was synonymous with telugu unity across Madras Presidency and Princely Hyderbad State. They were instrumental in cultivating telugu identity, an identity they used to fight against Nizam, and to fight against Tamil domination in Madras presidency. The formation of Andhra pradesh was result of 50 years of hard work and sacrifices of many stalwarts like Bogaraju Sitaramayya, Madapati Hanumantha Rao and Suravarm Paratap Reddy. These leaders cut across Andhra and Telangana, and also involved in Indian freedom struggle. Their vision for telugu identity in those formatting years was unanimous and unwavering. It was this platform supported by communists that lead the fight against Nizam atrocities, and the subsequent armed struggle to liberate telanaga peasants. It was this inspiration that led to the creation of one telugu state.

Now coming back to present time, with imminent separation looming, it seems all that vision was wrong. Apparently they didn’t understand the inherent differences between telugu people of Hyderabad state and Madras presidency, and the growth differences between the regions. I wonder how so many of these selfless people who sacrificed most of their lives got this wrong. Is it the case of bigger issues like British, Nizam, Tamil domination dwarfed the regional differences?. Or Is it part of our evolution where we have to take one step at a time, and in the process may have to correct previous steps?. I ask you. Do you say they were wrong but correct OR they were correct but wrong? Something to think about. I certainly hope that whatever we do, we don’t end up with this riddle again.

(Since we never discussed AMS in depth, I also want to use this thread to collect any info you can share about Andhra Mahasabha. )

bommasaniv · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject:

The people behind AMS never got it wrong. Their vision was one, but later caste ridden, region ridden or shall we say region obsessed political leaders made into the fray and shatterred the dreams of AMS leaders. Some the reasons for 4 region/state demand to sprouce up:

-> The name of state should never have replicated to one region. (Telugu Nadu, Telugu Pradesh could have been the idea).
-> Right from formation, one city/district from 4 regions should have been identified and equal importance and equal distribution of funds and development might have been done. IT, Industrial, Agriculture, Biotech four areas and four cities might have been developed as hubs. The rules could have been that strict, that only in these cities licences to respective fields will be given.
-> Each party has prominient leaders and representatives. Every concecutive govt should have a CM from one region, 4 govts and 4 different CMs from 4 regions.
->Any funds or money brought from WB should have been distributed equally among 4 cities.
->Words such as Uttara Andhra, Telangana, Coasta, Rayalaseema should have been deleted for ever.
->All govt Employees should only be made to work in their respective regions. No other region people should be allowed to work in other regions.
->Telugu should have been implemented more strictly and seriously.
->No one person served as CM should have another oppurtunity, provided his party has no other capable leader.
->Infrastructure should have been developed equally among 4 identified cities.

So many things could have been done, just because caste ridden politicians, region riden politicinas like NTR, KCR, city rdden politicans like CBN, ruled us we are on thebring of seperation into 4 parts. Really sad.

TelanganaStatesman · Telugu Puli Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 680

Ved,
I agree with you partly that AMS were instrumental in cultivating telugu identity, an identity they used to fight against Nizam, and to fight against Tamil domination in Madras presidency.

We need to analyze this more deeply, Before Independence situations are different, at that time Getting Independence from British/Nizam is most Important Issue.. Before that all others are marginal..
At that time Ramananda Thirtha was a dominant/widely accepted leader in Congress and Arya samaj had significant support from the Telanganites .. and communists took the anchor role in fighting against Nizam
In this scenario AMS had very little role to play .. AMS is formed by small section of unsatisfied people from Congress party.. Even Ravi Naranaya Reddy (Prominent Leader from T Region) is Separated from AMS..

AMS tried to cultivate the telugu identity, but at that time situations are not favourable to ignite the "Telugu Athmagauravam", In this regard we had a popular saying "Illu kaali okadu edusthunte......", may be because of this, It is more successful in Andhra Region than in Telangana..

Apparently caste/region politics sidelined AMS afterwards..

TelanganaStatesman · Telugu Puli Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 680

Bommasaniv,

I think in your view 4 parts, should be Telangana, Andhra, Rayalaseema and Uttara Andhra..
may I know the rational behind this..
The facts about Population statistics are
Telangana -- 42%
Andhra (including UA) -- 38%
Rayalaseema -- 20%
I think UA region population is not more than Hyderabad City population..

Did you see any Injustice in your thoughts ???