The City College Incident and Its Impact on the Mulki Movement (September 3-4, 1952)
The City College Incident of September 3rd and 4th, 1952, marked a turning point in the Mulki Movement, escalating tensions between student protesters and the police. The events unfolded when Hyderabad’s Police Commissioner, Sri Shiva Kumarlal, issued a stern warning on September 2, 1952, urging parents to control their children to prevent any violence or misbehavior. He also threatened punishment for any violations of law and order.
Prohibitory Orders and Student Protests
On September 3, 1952, under Section 22 of the Hyderabad City Police Act, prohibitory orders were issued, banning strikes, meetings, and rallies in the city. The Principal of City College, Dr. Ram Lal, officially notified students about these restrictions. However, despite the ban, students at City College and surrounding areas continued to protest against non-Mulki appointments in government jobs. Attempts by Konda Laxman Bapuji to pacify the protesting students proved unsuccessful, as the agitation intensified.
Police Firing and Casualties
As protests escalated, the police opened fire on Mulki protesters at City College and Pattar Ghat on September 3rd, resulting in two deaths and 147 injuries. The situation worsened the next day when additional firing at Afzalganj on September 4th led to the deaths of four more people, with many more injured. Notably, several casualties were not students but ordinary civilians caught in the chaos.
Public Involvement and Growing Unrest
The City College Incident marked a major shift in the movement, as it transformed from a student-led agitation to a broader public protest, drawing the general public into the struggle. Among the victims of police firing were:
- Mohammad Khasim (22) – Factory worker
- Shaik Mohammad (30) – Rickshaw puller
- Mohammad Khan (35) – Private employee
- Ramulu (18) – Private employee
- Shaik Mukthar (40) – Private employee
- Jamaluddin (40) – Private employee
Q. Describe the events leading up to the City College Incident. Throw some light on the incident and its significance in Telangana movement.
| Why was this question asked? | Keywords in the syllabus: Demand for Employment of Local people and City College Incident- Its importance |
| Approach:
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The examiner will expect your answer to include the following things:
· Events before the incident. · The city college incident and its significance. |
| Introduction:
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The 1952 Mulki Agitation was the first movement to safeguard jobs for locals/Mulkis in Hyderabad state. The City College Incident on 03 September 1952 was one of the most important events in that Mulki Agitation. There were many events which led up to this important incident. |
| Body:
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Events leading to the incident:
· Warangal teacher transfers: In June-July 1952, a supposed Non-Mulki transfers around 180 teachers at a time in Warangal. This angers and irritates the locals. · First meeting in Mulki Agitation: An enquiry was conducted on 26 July 1952 because of teachers’ complaints. Learning about the enquiry, about 4000 students had taken a huge protest march raising the slogans ‘Non-Mulki Go Back’ and ‘Idly Sambar Go Back’. After marching, they conducted a meeting in the public park in Warangal, considered the first meeting in the Agitation. · Students meet with the Chief Minister: On 06 August 1952, the CM met the students who requested him to remove teachers with bogus Mulki certificate and appoint a Sub Committee of Ministers to implement the Mulki rules. The CM promised the same but delayed it later. · Spread of protests to other districts: Gradually, peaceful protests were being organised across Telangana. · Lathi Charge on students in Warangal: On 28 August 1952, some students were lathi charged by the police within their own campus of Hanamkonda High School. The lathi charge was conducted just because the students argued with the police who entered the school campus. · Widespread support to Warangal Students: Angered by the Warangal incident on 28th, students across Telangana gave slogans and roadshows, in their support. By 03 September, the agitation became very intense. City College Incident (03 September 1952) · Despite City Police Commissioner’s appeal to parents (01 September 1952) and an order prohibiting meetings (03 September 1952), students continued their protests on that day. · The students of city college gathered in the campus at 10 in the morning and Principal Dr Ram Lal told them about the Order of the Police Commissioner. The College was surrounded by more than 100 policemen, who were ready with tear gas and other safety measures. The students were provoked by this action and started shouting slogans against Non-Mulkis. · Swiftly, with all the slogans and rallies, there was a war-like atmosphere. The police threw tear gas shells into the college compound and students answered them with stones. · Police lathi charged, students pelted stones on police jeeps and cars. Some MLAs, Advocate Konda Laxman came to the place of the incident to convince the students, but it didn’t happen. · After a while, when the police felt that the situation was out of control, they gave warning shots in the air, and then fired at the people gathered. · A total of four people were killed in the firing. The government announced that four youth who died, were not students. Significance of the incident: · A Cabinet sub-committee was formally announced on 7 September 1952 to investigate the implementation of Mulki rules. · The incident highlighted the discontent and discrimination faced by the locals in employment opportunities in the state. · The incident and further events triggered the formation of a committee to enquire into the firing incidents, to make a government a bit accountable for their actions. |
| Conclusion:
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Though the city college incident and the overall agitation did not bring about any major changes in the Mulki rules, it marked the beginning of the demand for a separate state. |