Congress asks KCR to revise chapter on Telangana

Hyderabad, May 27 (INN): The Telangana Congress has strongly condemned the non-inclusion of AICC President Sonia Gandhi's role in formation of Telangana State in the new State syllabus.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, TPCC President N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir said that the chapter titled "The movement for the formation of Telangana State" has been included in this year's 10th Class Social Studies text book. However, the 14-page content contains praises only for Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Telangana Rashtra Samithi. "This is a fascist tendency and demonstrates autocratic and dictatorial attitude of KCR. Congress party will not tolerate this behavior," Uttam Kumar Reddy said adding that the Telangana movement of over six decades was confined to one individual and his party. He said there is also no specific mention of role played by the martyrs and students.

While showing a video clipping, Shabbir Ali said on March 14, 2014, while speaking on the floor of Legislative Council, KCR has not only admitted that Telangana was not possible without Sonia Gandhi, but also assured to include her contribution in Telangana formation in the school syllabus. However, KCR again backtracked on his assurance and ensured that there is no mention of Sonia Gandhi and Congress party in the chapter on Telangana movement. "This chapter is incomplete, inaccurate and misleading," he alleged.

The Congress leaders reminded that the Telangana movement was launched by the Congress party much before the TRS came into existence. Congress leaders revived the statehood movement in 1999 itself. On August 11, 2000, a group of Congress MLAs met Sonia Gandhi and submitted a memorandum signed by 40 MLAs from the region to pledge the party's support to the cause of statehood for Telangana. By forging an alliance with the TRS in 2004 elections, the Congress gave political identity to the movement.

Shabbir Ali also reminded that Sonia Gandhi and Congress party gave many sacrifices to grant statehood for Telangana. While all Congress MLAs resigned from their posts, the MPs stalled the Parliament and were also suspended from the House. He said Sonia Gandhi gave Telangana, not due to KCR, but to stop more students from committing suicides. Sonia Gandhi gave Telangana despite knowing the fact that Congress would be wiped out from Seemandhra regions.

The Congress leaders demanded that the State Government immediately revise the chapter by including the role played by all organisations and individuals in statehood movement, especially Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party. They warned of severe protest if same books are included in the syllabus.

Former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy, TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other leaders were also present.