Telangana 55: Last refuge of the scoundrels

Recently a group of Ministers from Seemandhra made a presentation to SriKrishna Committee and describe Telangana Movement as ‘anti-national’.  Here are some excerpts from the THE HINDU [emphasis mine]:

…the demand for statehood to Telangana should be treated as a cognizable offence under IPC as it had the potential of disintegrating the country itself.

“The Centre should not give credence to demands for self-rule and self-respect as it will sow seeds for disintegration of the country. Asking for a separate State on these grounds is equivalent to waging a war against Indian Union. It is most reprehensible and dubious ground for formation of a new State under Article 3 of the Constitution”, the delegation of 16 Ministers said in their report.

Besides, the appointment of a committee by the Centre to look into such an anti-national demand was also surprising, they felt.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrels, it is said.  Detractors to a movement, a new policy or a brave action resort to introducing the elements of patriotism and national security as a last ditch attempt to slander a genuine aspiration or demand.   That is what is happening in Andhra Pradesh today.

I am not agitated because of this calumny.  I am only amused; because it shows that Seemandhra leaders are getting frustrated and becoming desperate.  It is clear that these statements carry no merit for the following obvious reasons.

1. Article 3 of Indian Constitution clearly outlines the procedures to create new states.  If creating new states was an offence it would have not featured in the Constitution.

2. P Chidambaram made a public statement which announced steps towards formation of a new state of Telangana on 9 Dec 2009. May be, P Chidambaram should be arrested first.

3. Most political parties in India openly discuss formation of new states including party members from Congress.  Shouldn’t almost every leader be arrested?

Patriotism and national security are brought into a debate when the detractors are unable to provide valid arguments to fight their case.  Patriotism is routinely used by dictators to settle scores with their political opponents, like Stalin against Trotsky or Rajapaska against Foenska.

Bringing patriotism into the current anti-Telangana movement in Andhra Pradesh shows that the Samaikyandhra cause is losing steam.   This sentiment has become hollow shorn of any solid platform to stand on.   They are losing hope and therefore are resorting to characterize Telangana movement as anti-national in a hope that they can completely snub the agitation with brute force.  How else can they win against the genuine aspirations of nearly 4 Crore people?  How long can they stand on their flimsy arguments, cooked up statistics, and devious reasons and continue to enslave such a large population in this free country?

It is becoming obvious now that Telanganas are winning in their struggle.  They stand united like never before.  They are ready to vote en masse to one single cause overriding everything else.  No amount of incentives and bribes can sway them away from their goal.  The movement has become universal inside Telangana and all bluffs will be called.  No Bhabli project protest or any amount of crocodile tears from Seemandhra leaders can convince Telangana people otherwise.   Seemandhra should realize this: You cannot win this.  You know it.  You are trying to suppress us with brute force of Indian armies calling us anti-nationals.  Not many Indians are ready to buy into this argument.  This time around the ‘scoundrels’ will not win.  This time around the common man of Telangana will win.