Book launch by Visalandhra body sparks row

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at Basheerbagh Press Club on Wednesday during 'Rujuvululeni Udyamam' (movement without proofs) book release programme organised by Visalandhra Mahasabha, which is fighting to keep the State united.

Agitated over certain remarks made by Visalandhra general secretary Parakala Prabhaker, scribes from Telangana Journalists Forum first burnt the copies of the book and later entered into an altercation with Visalandhra representatives and Press Club functionaries. Few journalists broke windowpanes of the Press Club Hall and in the melee suffered injuries.

They were later taken to nearby hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, condemning the incident, president of AP Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) D Somasunder pointed out that difference of opinion, if any, should be sorted out by amicable means. Trouble started when Parakala stated that claims made by Telangana leaders were misconstrued and false. He reminded 'refuting an agitation-101 lies and dubious arguments of Telangana separatists' was released in New Delhi on January 22.

"Almost 80 days have passed, but still there is no proper response from crusaders of the Telangana movement. This itself shows the arguments raised by them were fake," he alleged.A Taking serious objection to this, Telangana scribes burnt the copies of the book and entered into an argument with the programme organisers.

Mahboob Ali, who is said to have participated in the Telangana Armed Struggle of 1940s, released the book published by Visalandhra Mahasabha. He strongly objected to bifurcation of the State on caste, religion or regional lines.