21 March 2013 – Sadak Bandh

 

Question: 21 March 2013 – Sadak Bandh

Introduction

The Sadak Bandh on 21 March 2013 was a strategic road blockade protest organized by the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC) to intensify demands for a separate Telangana state. Translating to "road strike," it involved blocking major highways, particularly the Hyderabad-Bangalore National Highway (NH-7), for 24 hours from 9 am on 21 March to 9 am on 22 March. Amid assembly sessions, this agitation aimed to disrupt normalcy and force the central government to expedite the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Supported by parties like TRS, BJP, and CPI, along with employee unions and student groups, the bandh symbolized escalating frustration over delays despite repeated promises. It highlighted Telangana's economic grievances, such as unequal resource allocation, and cultural aspirations, drawing participants from rural and urban areas in a display of collective resolve.

Background

By 2013, the Telangana movement had entered a decisive phase following the 2009 announcement and subsequent backtracking. The Srikrishna Committee's 2010 report offered options but no clear resolution, leading to intensified protests. TJAC, under M. Kodandaram, planned a series of actions, including the Sadak Bandh, initially scheduled for February but postponed after Hyderabad blasts. Announced on 2 March, it targeted highways to symbolize choking development until statehood. The government opposed it, citing disruptions to essential services, but TJAC proceeded, urging peaceful blockades with cultural programs and communal cooking to sustain morale.

Events

Protests began at dawn on 21 March, with activists assembling at key points on NH-7 near Shamshabad and other highways like those to Vijayawada and Warangal. Thousands, including women and youth, sat on roads, halting traffic with human chains, banners, and effigies of central leaders. TRS and BJP workers led in various districts, staging folk dances, songs, and speeches. Police intervened with mild force in some areas, arresting dozens to clear paths, but protesters regrouped. Cooking meals on highways fostered community spirit, turning blockades into festive yet defiant gatherings. In Hyderabad outskirts, slogans echoed demands for justice. The bandh affected commuters and logistics, but no major violence occurred, though tensions rose in rural spots.

Aftermath

The 24-hour action ended successfully, with TJAC claiming widespread support despite arrests. It disrupted commerce, drawing media attention and criticism from Seemandhra politicians for economic sabotage. The central government faced renewed pressure, contributing to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act's passage later that year. TJAC followed up with more agitations, maintaining momentum.

Legacy

Sadak Bandh exemplified innovative, non-violent protest tactics, emphasizing unity and persistence. It played a role in achieving Telangana statehood in 2014, remembered as a turning point in the movement's final phase. Such events inspire contemporary activism, underscoring the impact of grassroots disruptions in policy change.