Time for intellectuals to bolster T fight : TVV

Speakers at the conference sounded critical of the role of A principal political parties, especially Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the ruling Congress in the fight for statehood and came down heavily on the non-serious approach of other outfits Hyderabad: It is time for intellectuals to be in the forefront of the fight for Telangana and take the agitation to the grass-root level, felt the speakers at the fourth State conference of Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika(TVV) on Sunday. They sounded critical of the role of principal political parties, especially Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the ruling Congress in the fight for statehood and came down heavily on the non-serious approach of other outfits. Eminent educationist Chukka Ramaiah felt that the Telangana agitation was confined to pro-Telangana political parties, organisations and Joint Action Committee (JAC). It was the responsibility of intellectuals of the region who were the 'think tank' to take the movement to the grass-root level, he said. Addressing the fourth State conference of TVV, he stated that the conference was being held at a crucial time with a decision on Telangana was still pending. The conference reminded him of the 13th Andhra Mahasabha in 1969. He advised the agitators to maintain the momentum of the agitation till a separate state was formed or else the people of Telangana would not forgive them. Ramaiah pointed out that the response to the Telangana March was excellent and it was a huge success as lakhs of people participated. But since then there has been no activity. He said there may be a difference of opinion among the people heading the movement. HMTV and The Hans India Editor-in-Chief K Ramachandra Murthy observed that intellectuals who were leading the Telangana movement should have a clear picture about their future course of action in successfully taking forward the movement. The public awareness created by the TJAC about the need for a separate State was praiseworthy, but the struggle could be continued for long. Hence a strong planning with concrete future course of action should be in place. TNGO JAC chairman G Devi Prasad said the government employees despite limitations were going out of the way to take part in the agitation. But politicians from the region were not sincere in their support. Namaste Telangana Editor Allam Narayana claimed that no political party, including the Left, had a focussed agenda in achieving the separate state. Employees JAC and student JAC had fought for the cause, but political parties had failed to create confidence in the people. Rayalaseema JAC vice president Bhooman supported the Telangana state demand and said he had closely followed the movement in 1969. People of a backward region should get a feel of the problems of people in another region. "We will be pained if the movement doesn't succeed. Let's value and respect all Telugu people and isolate businessman like Lagadpati. We from Rayalaseema admire the T movement as it is an agitation for rights," he added. Telangana Writers Association member Gowri Shankar said the pro-Telangana organisations succeeded but political parties failed in taking the movement forward. BP Reddy of T Development Forum while supporting the cause said the organisation would make a documentary on T movement and suicides and highlight them in the media, especially national channels.A TJAC chairman Prof. Kodandaram claimed that the arrests during the 'Sadak Bandh' showed that the government has weakened and the movement had gained strength. He felt that restrictions on the movement would only help build it up. Earlier two books on Telangana movement were released by K Ramachandra Murthy and Chukka Ramaiah. The books were 'Chinna Rashtrala Avasyakata' by Deshpande and 'Telangana Rajyanga Pratipatam' by Justice Sudarshan Reddy.