<<–2/”>a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/5653-2/”>p>The formation of the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC) in 2009 marked a pivotal moment in the Telangana statehood movement. It was born out of the growing discontent and demand for a separate Telangana state, carved out of Andhra Pradesh. The TJAC, a coalition of Political Parties and non-political organizations, aimed to unify the disparate voices clamoring for Telangana and to intensify the agitation for statehood.
The Need for a Unified Platform
By 2009, the Telangana movement had been gaining momentum for several years. Various political parties, including the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and some factions of the Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), were actively advocating for a separate state. However, the movement lacked a unified platform to coordinate their efforts and to present a cohesive front to the central government.
Recognizing this need, Professor Kodandaram, a prominent academic and activist, initiated discussions with various stakeholders to form a joint action committee. The idea was to bring together all the pro-Telangana forces under one umbrella and to strategize a unified course of action.
Formation and Composition
The TJAC was formally launched on December 24, 2009, at Kalinga Bhavan in Hyderabad. Professor Kodandaram was elected as its convenor. The committee included representatives from various political parties, including the TRS, BJP, CPI, CPM, and some factions of the Congress and TDP. It also included representatives from various non-political organizations, such as student groups, employee unions, and civil Society organizations.
Objectives and Strategies
The TJAC's primary objective was to achieve the formation of a separate Telangana state. To this end, it adopted a multi-pronged strategy that included:
Mass Mobilization: The TJAC organized numerous rallies, protests, and demonstrations across Telangana to mobilize public support for the statehood demand. It also called for strikes and bandhs to disrupt normal life and to pressure the government.
Political Lobbying: The TJAC engaged in extensive political lobbying with the central government and various political parties to garner support for the Telangana cause. It also sought to influence public opinion through media campaigns and outreach programs.
Legal Advocacy: The TJAC filed petitions in courts and engaged in legal battles to challenge the government's inaction on the Telangana issue. It also sought to highlight the legal and constitutional basis for the demand for a separate state.
Key Protests and Agitations
The TJAC played a pivotal role in several key protests and agitations that marked the Telangana movement. Some of the notable ones include:
Sakala Janula Samme (General Strike): In 2011, the TJAC called for a massive general strike across Telangana, which paralyzed the region for several weeks. The strike, which saw widespread participation from various sections of society, brought the issue of Telangana to the national forefront.
Million March: In 2012, the TJAC organized a massive rally in Hyderabad, which saw the participation of lakhs of people. The rally, which was one of the largest in the history of the Telangana movement, sent a strong message to the government about the intensity of the demand for a separate state.
Chalo Assembly: In 2013, the TJAC called for a march to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly to demand a resolution on the Telangana issue. The march, which was met with police repression, further fueled the agitation for statehood.
Impact and Legacy
The TJAC's relentless efforts and sustained agitation played a crucial role in keeping the Telangana issue alive and in pressuring the government to act. The committee's ability to mobilize mass support and to unite various stakeholders under one banner was a key factor in the eventual creation of Telangana state in 2014.
The TJAC's legacy, however, extends beyond the achievement of statehood. It has left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Telangana. The committee's success in mobilizing public opinion and in shaping the political discourse has inspired other social movements in the region.
Furthermore, the TJAC's model of a joint action committee, bringing together diverse stakeholders to fight for a common cause, has become a template for other social and political movements across India.
Challenges and Criticisms
The TJAC faced several challenges and criticisms during its existence. Some critics accused the committee of being dominated by the TRS and of not being representative of all sections of Telangana society. Others questioned the committee's methods of agitation, which sometimes resulted in violence and disruption of normal life.
Despite these challenges and criticisms, the TJAC remained a powerful force in the Telangana movement. Its ability to overcome internal differences and to maintain a united front was a key factor in its success.
The formation of the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee in 2009 was a watershed moment in the Telangana statehood movement. It provided a much-needed platform to unify the disparate voices clamoring for a separate state and to intensify the agitation for statehood. The TJAC's relentless efforts, sustained agitation, and ability to mobilize mass support played a crucial role in the eventual creation of Telangana state. Its legacy continues to inspire other social and political movements across India.