Potti Sriramulu.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk is on hunger strike for 21 days in New Delhi. He was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday. Meanwhile, the story of Potti Sriramulu has come into discussion, due to whose hunger strike Andhra state was formed. After India’s independence, state boundaries were a big issue. Many people wanted that states should be formed on the basis of language. Telugu speaking people also had the same demand. They wanted their own separate state.
Potti Sriramulu became the biggest face of this movement. His hunger strike shocked the entire country. After his death the government had to bow down. As a result a new state was formed in India. The name of that state was Andhra State. It was formed on 1 October 1953. Later this state along with Telangana region became Andhra Pradesh.
Who was Potti Sriramulu?
Potti Sriramulu was born on 16 March 1901. He was a freedom fighter and Gandhian thinker. He was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. He lived a simple life. Believed in non-violence and Satyagraha. He also took part in the freedom struggle. He was a supporter of social equality. He also worked for the rights of Dalits. He believed that discrimination should end in the society. People considered Potti Sriramulu to be a very honest and determined person. They used peaceful methods for their demands. Hunger strike became his biggest weapon.
Potti Sriramulu.
Why did the demand for a separate Andhra state arise?
During the British rule, a large part of South India was under Madras Presidency. People speaking Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages lived in this area. After independence, Madras state was formed. This included both Tamil and Telugu speaking areas. Telugu speaking people felt that their language and culture were not getting enough importance. Their demand was that a new state should be created by separating the Telugu language speaking areas. Many leaders of Telugu society were raising this demand for a long time, but the central government did not want to take an immediate decision on this subject. The government feared that if states started being formed on the basis of language, such demands might increase in many parts of the country.
What was the dispute regarding Madras city?
Another controversy was associated with the demand for a separate Andhra state. That was the question of Madras city. Today’s Chennai was then called Madras. Telugu speaking leaders wanted Madras city to become the capital of Andhra state. He argued that Telugu people have also made a big contribution in the development of the city. On the other hand, Tamil leaders said that Madras is a part of Tamil region, hence it should remain in Tamil Nadu. This dispute was very sensitive. It became difficult for the central government to take decisions. Ultimately the city of Madras remained in the Tamil region. Today the country knows it by the name of Chennai.
The fast unto death started on 19 October 1952 demanding Andhra state.
When did Potti Sriramulu start his hunger strike?
Potti Sriramulu started a fast unto death on 19 October 1952 demanding a separate Andhra state. Fast unto death means not eating food until the demands are met. He started his hunger strike in Madras city. Their objective was to create peaceful pressure. They wanted the government to accept the demands of the Telugu speaking people. Initially the government did not take his hunger strike very seriously. Many people asked him to end the fast, but Potti Sriramulu remained firm on his decision. Days passed. His health continued to deteriorate. Still he refused to take food.
Increasing public support during hunger strike
The news of Potti Sriramulu’s hunger strike spread rapidly. People’s support started increasing in Telugu speaking areas. Meetings started taking place in villages, towns and cities. People felt that a person was risking his life for their rights. Due to this the movement became emotional and widespread. Students, employees, farmers and common citizens started joining the movement. Demonstrations took place at many places. People demanded the government to take a decision soon. Potti Sriramulu’s condition was becoming weaker every day. But his will power was very strong. He believed that the Telugu people should get their own state.
Potti Sriramulu left this world after 58 days of hunger strike
Potti Sriramulu went on hunger strike for about 58 days. He died on the night of 15 December 1952 or early hours of 16 December 1952. His death plunged the entire region into deep grief and anger. Large scale protests began after his death. Life was affected at many places. Rail and road traffic was also disrupted. People’s anger increased. There was huge pressure on the government. This was not just the death of a leader. It was an explosion of emotions of millions of Telugu speaking people.
58 feet high statue of Amarjeevi Potti Sriramulu installed in Andhra Pradesh.
government decision
After the death of Potti Sriramulu, the Central Government understood the seriousness of the situation. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced the creation of a separate Andhra state. This decision was a big victory for the movement. After this, the work of deciding the boundaries and administrative system of the new state started. Finally, Andhra state came into existence on 1 October 1953. It is considered to be the first major state in India created on the basis of language. Kurnool was made the first capital of Andhra state. Madras city was not included in the new Andhra state. Later on November 1, 1956, the states were reorganized. At that time Andhra state was merged with the Telugu speaking Telangana region of Hyderabad state. After this, a new big state was formed, which was named Andhra Pradesh.
Also read: Is it a compulsion or necessary for the government to get treatment… What is the law on hunger strike?
Effect on reorganization of states
The impact of Potti Sriramulu’s movement was not limited to Andhra region only. This incident intensified the debate across India on the formation of states on the basis of language. The government formed the State Reorganization Commission to review the boundaries of the states. The Commission gave suggestions keeping in mind language, administration, culture and regional needs. After this, the States Reorganization Act came into force in 1956. Major changes took place in the map of India. The boundaries of many states changed. New states and union territories were formed. In this way, Potti Sriramulu’s movement proved to be very important in the history of the Indian federal system.
Separation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Andhra state and Telangana region merged to form Andhra Pradesh in 1956, but in later years the demand for a separate state in Telangana region again arose. After a long movement, Telangana became a separate state of India on 2 June 2014. Hyderabad became the capital of Telangana, hence one thing should be kept clear while understanding the history. The state that was formed after Potti Sriramulu’s hunger strike was Andhra State, not Telangana.
Potti Sriramulu’s legacy
Potti Sriramulu is considered the great leader of the creation of Andhra state. His sacrifice is remembered even today. He is often called Amarjeevi. It means a person whose memory lives forever. His story shows that non-violent movements can also bring about major political changes. He did not commit any violence. He made his body and determination the medium of struggle. His life also teaches that language, culture and identity are very important for people. When these sentiments are respected, democracy becomes stronger.
Also read: How much effect does hunger strike have on which part of the body? Understand from 4 weeks records
