Even as the fight for a separate Telangana state has reached its peak in Andhra Pradesh, the Andhraite community in the city says they do not want the parent state to be divided.
"Andhra Pradesh is in a bad shape today. I think the immediate step by the government there should be to address the problem after taking people into confidence. Members of the public do not want separation. The common man simply wants his daily life's problems solved. I am puzzled by the silence of the politicians on the issue, which is making the matters all the more confusing," says Subbaraydu Kollipara, secretary, Ahmedabad Andhra Mahasabha.
The first battle for separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh started in 1969 under the leadership of Marri Chenna Reddy, which was subsequently suppressed by the ruling Congress. The battle has now incensed Andhrites within and outside the state.
"The government has taken an abrupt decision without much consultation. For the integrity of the nation, I don't think states should be divided in this manner. If every state is divided this way, then several small states are bound to develop which will make identifying separate states in the country very difficult,'' says Dwarkanath Gupta, president, Ahmedabad Andhra Mahasabha.
According to him, Sardar Patel had put in his blood and sweat in bringing all the different states into making a unified India and now this movement has become an indication of disharmony amongst Indians.
Early this month TRS chief KC Rao went on an indefinite hunger strike in support of a separate Telangana state. On December 9, the UPA government at the Centre accepted the demand, but on Wednesday it went back on its promise, saying its needs to consult all parties.
"Normal life has been paralysed across Telangana for a long time. I am shocked and appalled at the way people and politicians are behaving. It is against humanity to be so brutal. I am not in favour of Telangana," says Dhanyapaal Reddy, an Andhrite in the city.
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