Telangana - Andhra : Castes, Regions and Politics in Andhra Pradesh

The present work is an attempt to present the inside story of the Telangana movement that developed due to historical reasons. The movement, in this work, has brought forward the Telangana lower class' response to the established cultural hegemony of the Andhra linguistic elite and affluent agrarian communities who, in their perception, monopolized the political power and economic resources. The movement voices the democratic yearnings of service castes, artisands, Dalits and nomads who through their instant association with the movement expressed aspirations for their due share in political power and administrative structure. The leadership that has come from the regional elite has, however, articulated only the reasons of 'self-respect and regional autonomy'. The dichtomy is not debated enough in intellectual and political circles. This work brings out the two-fold character in the movement. It also gives insights into the possible need of remaking states in India in the interest of the inclusion of these social groups in political structures so that democracy might further percolate downwards. Dr. Inukonda Thirumali, an active member of the Telangana Movement, is exploring the socio-cultural reasons for the regional stand-off between Andhra and Telangana. The present work is a first hand account of contemporary relevance in the context of the demands for new states in India. It is an innovative experiment in contemporary history writing. His earlier work Against Dore and Nizam: People's Movement in Telangana, 1929-1948 is known to have presented people live in the book inquiring into the making of the Telangana movement. His Marriage, Caste, and Love: Telugu Women during the Colonial Period is a general essay in gender studies for common readers. Dr. Thirumali has been teaching at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University since 1980. At preset he is Senior Fellow, ICSSR, New Delhi.