The Gentleman’s Agreement

Hyderabad: The Gentleman’s Agreement refers to the agreement signed between the leaders of Telangana and Andhra before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh This is in continuation to the last article on States Reorganisation Commission and focuses on the Gentleman’s Agreement. The States Re-organisation Commission (SRC) clearly recommended against formation of Vishalaandhra immediately. […]

Hyderabad: The Gentleman’s Agreement refers to the agreement signed between the leaders of Telangana and Andhra before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh
This is in continuation to the last article on States Reorganisation Commission and focuses on the Gentleman’s Agreement.

The States Re-organisation Commission (SRC) clearly recommended against formation of Vishalaandhra immediately. Despite this recommendation, Vishalaandhra was created on 1st October 1956. After the SRC report was submitted, for some time the demand for Vishalaandhra weakened until the Congress Working Committee in its meeting in the first week of October, 1955 stated that the recommendations of SRC were not binding and that changes could be made in consultation with the state according to the situation. This announcement of the CWC renewed the demand for Vishalaandhra with greater force.

In reaction to this announcement, the PDF decided to introduce a resolution supporting the formation of Vishalaandhra in the Hyderabad State Assembly in winter session.

In the 3rd week of October, 1955, fifty Telangana Congress leaders including VB Raja, Paga Pulla Reddy and BV Gurumurthy submitted a petition in favour of Vishalaandhra to the PM Jawaharlal Nehru. The Communist party in the last week of October 1955, also submitted a petition to the CM of the State requesting him to support Vishalaandhra. In the last week of October, the CMs of both Hyderabad State and Andhra State held a meeting in Hyderabad and identified the fears of Telangana people in the formation of Vishalaandhra.

On October 28, 1955, the CM of Hyderabad state for the first time gave his opinion in favour of Vishalaandhra. He stated that the Telangana region would develop faster as a part of Vishalaandhra State, as the Andhra people were efficient planners of focused development. He also stated that the SRC in its report exaggerated the potential problems that could result from the formation of Vishalaandhra State.

On November 8 and 9, 1955, a meeting of presidents of Pradesh Congress Committees (PCC) was held in Delhi to discuss the recommendation of SRC. In this meeting, it was decided that Vishalaandhra State will be formed. The discussion on formation of Vishalaandhra was initiated in the Hyderabad State Assembly by the CM. During the discussion-

– M Chenna Reddy spoke about the need for formation of Telangana State.

– 14 members announced that they will resign if the Parliament initiates the procedure of formation of Vishalaandhra.

On November 25, 1955, Hyderabad State Legislature passed a resolution approving the formation of Vishalaandhra.

On March 5, 1956, speaking at a public meeting organized in Nizamabad, Nehru declared that the Central Government had decided to form Vishalaandhra.

Even before this announcement, the Gentlemen’s Agreement was signed to address the fears of Telangana people. The Gentleman’s Agreement of Andhra Pradesh (1956) refers to the agreement that was signed between the leaders of Telangana and Andhra before the formation of the state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956. The agreement sought to address fears of the people of Telangana by providing safeguards to them. The alleged violations of this agreement led to the 1969 Telangana movement and are cited as one of the main reasons for demands for separate statehood for Telangana.

The Gentlemen’s Agreement was signed on February 20, 1956 at the Hyderabad House in Delhi. Four prominent leaders each from Telangana and Andhra signed the agreement.
Telangana Leader Andhra Leaders
1.Burgula Ramakrishna Rao 1.Bejawada Gopala Reddy
2.K.V. Ranga Reddy 2.Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy

3.Marri Chenna Reddy 3.Sardar Gouthu Latchanna
4.J.V.Narsing Rao 4.Alluri Satyanarayana Raju.

To be continued…
By Deepika Reddy

Director, Shikara Academy
Mobile No. 7702026769