Events Leading to the December 2009 Declaration

 

Question: Events Leading to the December 2009 Declaration

The 2009 general elections set the stage for the declaration. Congress, seeking alliances, included Telangana statehood in its manifesto, while TDP and Praja Rajyam Party also supported it. TRS contested independently, securing only two Lok Sabha seats, but the demand gained traction. Post-elections, KCR intensified pressure, resigning his assembly seat and announcing a fast-unto-death on November 29, 2009, in Karimnagar. His health deteriorated rapidly, triggering widespread protests across Telangana. Students boycotted classes, employees struck work, and bandhs paralyzed life. Osmania University became a epicenter, with youth clashing with police. Fearing a law-and-order crisis akin to 1969, the central government intervened.

On December 9, 2009, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram made the historic announcement: "The process of forming the state of Telangana will be initiated. An appropriate resolution will be moved in the state assembly." This midnight declaration, broadcast nationwide, sparked jubilation in Telangana. Bonfires lit streets, sweets were distributed, and KCR ended his fast after 11 days. The statement acknowledged consultations with all stakeholders and promised safeguards for Seemandhra (coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema). It was seen as a victory for democratic agitation, validating years of struggle. However, the declaration lacked a timeline or specifics, sowing seeds of doubt.

Immediate Backlash and Reversal

The euphoria was short-lived. In Seemandhra, the announcement triggered fierce opposition. MLAs and MPs from Congress and TDP resigned en masse, protesting the "unilateral" decision. Protests erupted in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati, with bandhs and effigy burnings. Coastal leaders argued that bifurcation would deprive Andhra of Hyderabad's revenue and resources. The backlash exposed internal divisions within Congress; Chief Minister K. Rosaiah faced rebellion from his own party. On December 23, 2009, Chidambaram backtracked, stating that "wide-ranging consultations" were needed before proceeding, effectively stalling the process. This reversal infuriated Telangana activists, who accused the center of betrayal under Seemandhra pressure.

The flip-flop reignited agitations. TRS and TJAC (Telangana Joint Action Committee), formed in December 2009 as a non-political umbrella body, coordinated protests. Students formed suicide squads, threatening self-immolation, while rail rokos and highway blockades disrupted connectivity. In January 2010, violence escalated; police fired on protesters in Warangal, killing several. The center's response was the appointment of the Srikrishna Committee on December 29, 2009, tasked with examining the feasibility of bifurcation and suggesting solutions.

Srikrishna Committee and Its Report

The five-member committee, headed by Justice B.N. Srikrishna, included experts from law, economics, and administration. It toured Andhra Pradesh, holding public hearings and receiving over 100,000 representations. Telangana submitted data on economic backwardness, such as lower per capita income and irrigation coverage compared to Andhra. Seemandhra highlighted shared cultural ties and Hyderabad's joint capital status. The committee's secret eighth chapter, leaked later, recommended keeping the state united but with safeguards for Telangana.

Released on December 30, 2010, the report offered six options: maintaining status quo, bifurcation with Hyderabad as union territory, creating Rayala-Telangana, or forming a Telangana regional council. The preferred option was unity with constitutional guarantees for Telangana's development. This disappointed separatists, who dismissed it as biased. Protests resumed; TJAC called for a non-cooperation movement, boycotting schools and offices. In February 2011, the Million March on Tank Bund saw lakhs converge, though vandalism of statues drew criticism. The report, while comprehensive, failed to resolve the impasse, prolonging uncertainty.

Escalating Agitations (2011-2013)

The period from 2011 to 2013 was marked by intensified, innovative protests. TJAC's Sakala Janula Samme (general strike) in September 2011 lasted 42 days, involving 4 lakh government employees, crippling administration. Coal miners in Singareni and RTC workers joined, costing billions in losses. Chalo Assembly rallies besieged the legislature, leading to clashes. Cultural expressions flourished; balladeers like Gaddar composed anthems, and folk festivals like Bathukamma became protest platforms.

In 2012, by-elections saw TRS sweep Telangana seats, validating the demand. The center's inaction prompted more actions: Sagara Haram human chain around Hussain Sagar in January 2013 involved millions, symbolizing unity. Sadak Bandh highway blockades in March disrupted national routes. Student suicides, over 1,000 reported, highlighted desperation. Political realignments occurred; Congress MPs from Telangana threatened resignation, while BJP supported bifurcation. Seemandhra countered with Samaikyandhra (united Andhra) movements, resigning en masse in July 2013 after Congress's working committee endorsed statehood.

Political Maneuvers and Legislative Process

On July 30, 2013, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolved to form Telangana, with Hyderabad as joint capital for 10 years. This followed internal deliberations and electoral calculations ahead of 2014 polls. The Group of Ministers (GoM), constituted in October 2013, addressed concerns like water sharing, power, and assets. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill, drafted based on GoM inputs, faced hurdles. Seemandhra MLAs disrupted Parliament, using pepper spray in one session. Despite chaos, the Lok Sabha passed the bill on February 18, 2014, via voice vote amid blackouts, and the Rajya Sabha on February 20, with BJP's support.

President Pranab Mukherjee signed it on March 1, 2014. The appointed day was initially June 2, 2014. Elections in April-May 2014 saw TRS win 63 assembly seats in Telangana, while TDP triumphed in residual Andhra. KCR was sworn in as Telangana's first Chief Minister on June 2, amid celebrations.

Formation of Telangana State, June 2014

June 2, 2014, dawned with fireworks and rallies across Telangana. The new state comprised 10 districts (later expanded to 33), with Hyderabad as capital. The bifurcation addressed long-standing issues: Telangana inherited 41% of Andhra Pradesh's population but only 25% of its coastline, focusing on inland development. Key challenges included river water disputes (Godavari and Krishna), debt sharing, and employee allocation. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act provided for special status to Andhra, financial aid, and Polavaram project.

Culturally, Telangana embraced its heritage; state symbols like the emblem with Kakatiya torana and anthem "Jaya Jaya He Telangana" reinforced identity. Economically, initiatives like Mission Kakatiya for tank restoration and Rythu Bandhu for farmer support targeted backwardness. Politically, TRS (later BRS) dominated, with KCR's governance emphasizing welfare and infrastructure.

The formation marked the end of a 58-year struggle, inspiring other regional movements. It underscored federalism's flexibility, allowing states to address local aspirations. However, inter-state tensions persist, particularly over assets and water.

Impact and Legacy

The 2009-2014 period transformed Telangana from a neglected region to a vibrant state. Socially, it empowered marginalized groups; women's participation in protests led to greater political roles. Culturally, festivals like Bonalu gained official patronage. Economically, Hyderabad's IT hub status was retained, attracting investments. Politically, it realigned alliances, weakening Congress in the south.

Challenges remain: unemployment, farmer distress, and urban-rural divides. Yet, the journey from declaration to statehood exemplifies democratic perseverance, where people's voice reshaped boundaries.

Conclusion

The December 2009 declaration ignited a fire that burned through reversals, committees, and agitations, culminating in Telangana's birth in June 2014. This era of hope, betrayal, and triumph redefined regionalism in India, proving that sustained mobilization can achieve structural change. Telangana's story continues, building on its hard-won autonomy.