Formation of Andhra Pradesh, 1956
The creation of Andhra Pradesh was a result of a long-standing demand for linguistic reorganization, political movements, and central government interventions. After the formation of Andhra State on October 1, 1953, the State Reorganization Commission (SRC) was appointed to assess linguistic state demands across India. The SRC submitted its report on September 30, 1955, laying the foundation for merging Telangana with Andhra, despite opposition from several Telangana leaders.
Early Advocacy for Vishalandhra
The Communist Party played a significant role in popularizing the Vishalandhra movement by advocating the slogan “One race, one language, one state.” Notable leaders such as Puchalapalli Sundarayya outlined the benefits of unifying Telangana with Andhra in his book “Vishalandhra lo Praja Rajyam” (1946). Similarly, Ravi Narayana Reddy, a prominent Communist leader, wrote about lobbying efforts for Vishalandhra in his autobiography “Na Jeevana Patham lo.”
First Vishalandhra Meeting (1950)
The first formal meeting advocating Vishalandhra took place in February 1950 in Warangal, chaired by Hayagrivachari. During the event, Swami Ramananda Tirtha strengthened the demand for Vishalandhra, while leaders like Marri Chenna Reddy and K.V. Ranga Reddy opposed the merger, favoring a separate Telangana. A crucial resolution passed in this meeting was to establish Vishalandhra with Hyderabad as its capital. Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu reinforced the movement by declaring the formation of Vishalandhra as the “birthright of all Andhra people.” The first anniversary of this movement was celebrated on November 26, 1950, and leaders like Prakasam Pantulu even communicated with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, emphasizing its importance.
Second Vishalandhra Meeting (1954)
The second Vishalandhra conference was held in Hyderabad in 1954, chaired by Shrirangam Srinivas Rao (Shri Sri). Baddham Ellareddy served as the President of the Invitation Society, and Ravi Narayana Reddy was the Secretary. Leaders like Devulapalli Ramanuja Rao actively promoted the merger, distributing pamphlets and publications in newspapers such as Vishalandhra, Kakatiya, Andhra Janata, and Andhra Patrika.
The Central Government also showed support, with key figures such as Defense Minister Kailashnath Katju, Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and External Affairs Minister Sayyad Mohammad backing the Vishalandhra cause. However, opposition also existed. C. Rajagopalachari (then Governor General of India) suggested keeping Hyderabad as a multilingual state, reflecting reservations against the merger. A secret survey by Mumbai PCC President S.K. Patil and an All India Congress Secretary revealed that many Telangana residents preferred a separate state over unification with Andhra.
Prime Minister Nehru’s Stand on Vishalandhra
Initially, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed Vishalandhra, dismissing it as “loose talk” during an All India Congress Committee meeting in Bengaluru on July 15, 1951. However, under political pressure, he later described Vishalandhra as a form of aggression and imperialism.
Several factors influenced Nehru’s shift in stance:
- Threats from Andhra Leaders – Andhra leaders warned that if Hyderabad remained separate, it could revive Nizam’s appeal to the United Nations, disrupting India’s stability.
- Fear of “Southern Pakistan” – Some leaders argued that an independent Telangana might encourage separatist tendencies, leading to another “Pakistan-like” situation in South India.
- Lack of a Capital for Andhra – Since Andhra lacked a capital after separating from Madras, leaders pushed for Hyderabad to be the capital of the merged state.
Despite reservations over Hyderabad’s Deccani culture and linguistic diversity, Nehru eventually supported the merger. However, he remained cautious, famously comparing the merger to a “marriage,” suggesting that divorce was an option if things didn’t work out.
Resolutions in Favor of Vishalandhra
- Bejawada Gopala Reddy’s Resolution (1955) – On November 5, 1955, Bejawada Gopala Reddy passed a resolution supporting Vishalandhra, promising educational and employment reservations for Telangana based on its population.
- Hyderabad State Assembly Discussion (1955) – On November 25, 1955, Chief Minister Burgula Ramakrishna Rao assured the assembly that Andhra people were not conquerors and promised special protections for Telangana.
- Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy’s Resolution (1956) – On February 1, 1956, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy passed another resolution supporting Vishalandhra with safeguards for Telangana, including:
- No claim by Andhra on one-third of Telangana jobs.
- Utilization of Godavari waters for regional development.