The editorial “The way forward on Telangana” (Feb. 16) was well-timed and commendable. The Joint Action Committee’s call for the resignation of all elected representatives from Telangana and the boycott of the Srikrishna Committee’s proceedings is unwise and short-sighted. Its objection to the inclusion of examining the case for a united Andhra Pradesh in the committee’s terms of reference is unwarranted. How can any committee ignore the demand by a section? The Centre cannot but examine all the aspects of the issue.
G.N. Rao, Hyderabad
The editorial comes as sober counsel at a time when passions have reached a feverish pitch. On a thorny issue such as the bifurcation of a State, prudence and cool thinking are absolutely essential. Now that the Centre has taken a decisive step on the Telangana issue, all concerned should wait for the logical outcome of the process. By following democratic conventions and time-tested ways of resolving issues, the stake-holders will only ease matters.
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The Telangana agitation is getting more complex with legislators seeking to resign and students and police adopting a warpath. It was due to the tremendous efforts and limitless sacrifices of many leaders that our country, which was nothing but a collection of princely states and a few centrally controlled regions, acquired its present status. Political parties are playing with the overall interests of the nation for meagre gains. The sooner people realise this, the better it will be for the nation.
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In a democracy, people elect their representatives to the State Assemblies and Parliament so that matters of public importance can be debated and decided upon. The MLAs and MPs should not drag matters to the streets by resorting to fasts, dharnas, strikes, bandhs and violence, bringing them back to the people for discussion. If all issues can be resolved on the streets, why waste money on elections?
T.R. Ramanathan, Hyderabad
The editorial says that with the Centre announcing the terms of reference and a time frame for the Telangana Committee, the proper course for the JAC would have been to wait for its report. But when the terms of reference are unacceptable, how and why should the JAC wait for the futile exercise to be completed? People and political parties of Andhra Pradesh are divided on the issue. But it is for Telangana to decide whether or not it wants to remain part of the State. How can the people of Telangana forget the promises made to them all these years? Especially when the region has been duped, cheated and exploited.
Anil Ekbote, Hyderabad