What makes for Political Stability? -III

{ In renewed context of Telangana issue }

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." - Abraham Maslow

The 2nd part of my trilogy was mainly to convince both sides that history is subject to interpretation & no amount of facts/evidence can really influence a person who's not open to change. We must accept a level of maturity while dealing with problems. I think Telangana people have built up a formidable case for their separate statehood & they do have proper explanation to most of doubts that one might cast on their aspirations. Nonetheless if Telangana politicians continue to threaten settlers, they are weakening their own cause.

The problem is this, both sides want to convince & persuade Central Govt rather than convincing one-another. We win justice quickest by rendering justice to the other party. (in words of Mahatma Gandhi). I think both sides would do well to name the obvious instead of masking the real issues under the pretext of some ideologies. In issues concerning such huge risks, property & welfare of millions one can't be dogmatic about their ideals & have to compromise their stand as situation demands & as change commands.

Here, I do think that Seemandhra can open the deadlock & accept that certain mistakes have been inadvertently committed in the past & if suitably compensated for the formation of new Capital they must be willing to let go Telangana. It doesn't look nice to force someone into alliance when the other party is least interested. Obviously they are concerned about loosing Hyd'bad, but then when hatred is so widespread even at grassroot levels, division is better. There is no love lost between the camps. The present situation is so volatile, that any mishandling might impair both parties & the loss of Telugu pride will ensue shortly anyway.

I personally feel that there must be a debate on the future of the 2 regions & how the common resources (water is the one of the most imp aspect of Telangana) can be distributed fairly & justly. Jobs also are important. A Govt job in a family goes a long way in providing a sense of security to his immediate family as well as other relations. The politicians also can't get away with saying that others' are not cooperating. In such a case, they will be forced to act better than present.

Also, if you don't have a readymade cause for all ills (Andhras ), one would soon be forced to accept the responsibility of their shortcomings & in a long run they will improve. To all those who believe that Telangana people can't survive all alone, my question is "Why are you so bothered, when they have so unambiguously stated that they desire to get separated?"

Citing some security reasons etc. are ok, but then, I presume that once people are satisfied by status-quo & the middle class is on rise, most of these will subside. A middle-class person seldom takes law in his hands & respects law. All Andhras of middle-class criteria in Hyd'bad will certainly adjust to the new change without much fuss because that suits them best.

To Andhras, it would certainly take them some more time to adjust because of loss of a Capital. But I believe that it will benefit them in longer run. For arguments sake, let us suppose that, Telangana issue subsides presently. But there is no guarantee that the demand wouldn't resurface again. Imagine if in 1969/72 separation would have taken place, Hyd'bad wouldn't have had the benefit of your hardwork & toil. Now, most have made Hyd'bad their home & a loss of such a city in which one has invested is very much shocking. But imagine the same scenario in 2030. Then would have to loose an even better city. Instead, you can develop your own Capital from now on, the losses( if any) are severely minimized. There is no dearth of unemployed politicians & tomorrow another politician who's not received Cabinet Ministry might suddenly get enlightened & restart Telangana demand. Why live with people who have made you demons? Better leave them!

Telangana demand is valid, because a vast majority of this region wants it. Rest all is subjective. But this fact is objective. Since, they feel they need it, better to come in terms with this inescapable & undeniable fact and discuss the terms of separation than to analyse past because 1972 Jai Andhra riots were also for separation. If its not so now, its because of Hyd'bad. But any delay will surely assume monstrous proportions & soon the separation will become as problematic as Partition of India.

I think its in the best interests of both parties to discuss issues with tolerance & respect and sort out these issues. The role of peacemaker is always hard. Learned professors like Prof K Jayashankar can take the lead & see to it that the inevitable occurs as speedily & peacefully as possible.