The new state

 

 

Regarding the Central government giving way on Telangana, after an 11-day fast by TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and weeks of violent student agitation, Arindam Chaudhuri has very rightly stated his opinion in the editorial (TSI, Dec 21-27), about more states being created based on mere political ambitions. It is regrettable that such a significant act was finally decided by an electorally discredited KCR’s passive-aggressive tactics and emotional blackmail. But on what basis has the government now accepted the Telangana rationale and how will it justify similar demands in nearby Rayalaseema, for example? For instance, there is a certain wisdom in the case for carving the large and unwieldy Uttar Pradesh into smaller, easier-to-administer states. In states where regions are proudly distinct, and have settled on an adversarial equation because of the fact that they are forced to share the same boundaries and benefits, it makes sense to address local demands for self hood. But that is precisely why each of these demands should be addressed on the basis of neutral, objective criteria rather than whimsical politics. There are nine such pending demands with the home ministry — what makes some valid and not others? Prof. Arindam is right to say that all in all, the objective to create such states should be purely based on better governance and overall development rather than caste, creed, religion or regionalism. In fact, it is an extremely dangerous precedence to set for the future.

Vimal Kukal

Chandigarh