The realisation of the 60-year dream of Telangana had its nerve centre in the Osmania University, at least during the last five-year decisive phase. The trigger for the final phase of Telangana agitation – K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s fast-unto-death – too had its roots in the varsity.
The arrest of KCR in Karimnagar while heading for the proposed fast in November 2009 was the turning point on the campus with thousands of students resorting to violent protests. However, the news of breaking the fast infuriated the students so much that KCR’s effigies were burnt sending strong signal that they can’t be taken for a ride.
The surprisingly violent protests forced KCR to send out a message that breaking the fast was only a ploy to defame him and the agitation.
From then the campus saw the emotions of achievement with the December 9, 2009 announcement of the Central government in favour of Telangana and equally ferocious mood when the announcement was put on hold with the December 23 statement. Thus was born the OU Students Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), which acquired a cult status in the movement.
That the varsity had become the nerve centre of agitation reflected when politicians of all parties, including Ministers, vied with each other to visit the protest camps .
All roads of agitation started and ended at Arts College that saw clashes with police, rabble-rousing statements and also the intellectual input.
As OU is in the State capital and closer to the seat of power, the agitation attracted media and societal attention thus spreading people’s desire to country’s nook and corner. It provided the ammunition needed for a long struggle. The unfortunate suicides of students on the campus kept the agitation live when one thought the movement was fizzling out .
OU students also had emotional stakes in the issues thrown up by the separate Telangana movement. Shrinking employment opportunities added to the accumulating frustration among the youngsters.
The violation of Mulki rules, the Presidential Order and Six Point Formula ignited the anger while the Hyderabad free zone issue provided the perfect outlet of that anger.
What contributed to the success of students’ movement? The agitation was cut across caste and ideological lines and the participation was voluntary. The strong belief that a separate Telangana will change their life qualitatively further fuelled it.
