Telangana students up the ante for a seperate state

At a grand meeting held on the Osmania University campus on Sunday, the joint action committee (JAC) of the students declared that the political parties would not be tolerated if they resort to the regular tactics of giving preference to their political benefits and mileage irrespective of the people’s sentiment.

Despite severe restrictions imposed by the police, about one lakh students from 11 universities in the region attended the meeting.

“We want the people’s representatives from Telangana region to stay put in Delhi and lobby hard for the statehood. They better not indulge in double talk by keeping both the high command and the people in good humour,” Kumaraswamy, a JAC leader, said.

Students from 10 districts in the region started pouring in the state capital early on Sunday morning, after a high court order gave conditional permission to their meeting on Saturday evening. Students were asked to carry their identity cards issued by their colleges and the police ensured that only students attended the meeting. Dozens of political leaders keen on attending the meeting were prevented from joining them.

“Even if political parties compromise, students will fight till the statehood is accorded. In this process, if the events lead to any uncontrollable circumstances, the political parties and the Congress government would be responsible for it,” Suman, another JAC leader, said.

He argued that there was no constitutional need of getting the assembly’s resolution for granting statehood, which can unilaterally be decided under Article 3 of the constitution.