KCR's letter to sri krishna committee.....

To

Shri Vinod K. Duggal

Member Secretary

Committee for Consultations on

the Situation in Andhra Pradesh

Government of India

Room No.248, Vigyan Bhavan Annexe

Moulana Azad Road

New Delhi 110011

Dear Shri Duggal ji,

Kindly find enclosed detailed notes regarding the five and a half decade long demand and struggle of the people of Telangana for the formation of their own State. It is in response to the public notice issued by the Committee inviting views and suggestions on the issues involved.

Our views and suggestions are presented in four volumes.They are:

Volume – I Consists of Historical Perspective, Income and Expenditure, Education, The Capital City, Judiciary, Language and culture, FAQs and Answers;

Volume – II Deals with Irrigation;

Volume – III Explains the Employment scenario; and

Volume – IV Concerns the situation regarding the Power Sector.

I am making this submission on behalf of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The Notes are self explanatory. I hope they will receive the due attention of the Committee. It may not be out of place to bring to the notice of the Committee that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has been championing the cause of Telangana for the last one decade.

A Conditional Merger:

I would like to bring to the kind notice of the Committee that the demand of the people of Telangana for a separate state is not a new development. It was voiced much before the formation of Andhra Pradesh and continues to be raised even thereafter. The reason for the reluctance of people for the merger of Telangana with Andhra then was the fear of exploitation, neglect and injustice in the enlarged state of Andhra Pradesh. And the reason for their resistance now to continue in the existing set up is the actual experience of exploitation, neglect and injustice.

The merger of Telangana with Andhra took place against the wishes of the people of the region and contrary to a categorical recommendation of the States Reorganisation Commission, besides the reluctance of the Prime Minister of the time Jawaharlal Nehru.

The merger was the result of manipulative politics. It was, however, not unconditional, nor was it considered eternal. It was facilitated by a number of solemn promises made and constitutional safeguards given to the people of Telangana as a protective umbrella against the possible exploitation. These promises were made a number of times, but none of them was ever honoured. In the process, Telangana became a victim of broken promises.

Promises Broken:

The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956, which was an assurance of fair play given to the people of Telangana to facilitate the formation of Andhra Pradesh, was scuttled the very same day on which the State was born, by the very same “Gentlemen” who were signatories to the agreement.

The All Party Accord of January 1969 arrived at a meeting of the leaders of all the political parties in the State, convened by the then Chief Minister Brahmananda Reddy, was shelved in less than six months time.

The Eight Point Formula and the Five Point Formula announced by the Prime Minister of the time, Indira Gandhi in 1969, were not even given a fair trial.

The historic verdict of the Supreme Court of India validating the Mulki Rules was got annulled by the Parliament, succumbing to the pressure of anti Telangana lobby of Andhra -- something unheard of in a democratic polity!

The Six Point Formula, a diluted form of safeguards, was foisted on the people as an alternative. Even this formula has been, and continues to be, violated with impunity, robbing the people of Telangana of whatever little was left in the name of safeguards.

The root cause for the failure of all these exercises was that, they were attempts to treat only the symptoms and not the malady. Consequently, the exploitation of the region and its people continued -- and still continues – unabated, under the patronage of Andhra political leadership. In this process the so called concept of Telugu Brotherhood has become irrelevant, placing the people of Telangana in an extremely unenviable position.

Deprived of their legitimate share in the fruits of development, marginalized in the political process and administrative setup, belittled on the social, cultural and linguistic fronts, the natives are virtually reduced to the status of second-rate citizens in their own homeland.

Multiple Dimensions of the Issue:

It is to be realized that the demand for Telangana State is not a mere political slogan; it has an economic angle; it has socio-cultural and linguistic dimensions; it is blended with a feeling of self respect and the desire for self rule. The continuous subjugation of the people of this region in every sphere of their lives has turned their hazy fears at the time of the merger into strong emotions and sentiments.

The plight of the people of Telangana in their own homeland is manifold. They are narrated briefly hereunder:

i. The natural and financial resources of the region are plundered and diverted for the development of the other regions. They include river waters, coal, mineral wealth and revenue income of Telangana. Consequently, this region is lagging behind the other regions in the realm of economic development;

ii. There is a deepening crisis in the Agricultural sector causing ever increasing suicides of farmers;

iii. Artisan class is in distress. Suicides of weavers and village craftsmen are increasing year by year;

iv. The distress in the rural areas is causing unabated migration of labour, abandoning their houses and families;

v. The longest stretch of flow of the Krishna River is in the Mahboobnagar District. Yet the district is converted almost into a desert;

vi. The largest masonry dam of the country, Nagarjuna Sagar, is in Nalgonda District. But the people of the district do not get even drinking water free from fluoride. As a result, several lakhs of people, besides animals, have become, and continue to become, victims of fluorosis – crippled and disabled for the whole life;

vii. Dalits of this region do not get the benefit of a variety welfare schemes commensurate with the ratio of their population vis-à-vis the population of Dalits in the other region;

viii. The condition of Tribals in the agency areas of the region is miserable. A large number of them perish every year because of seasonal diseases, in the absence of even minimum medical facilities in those areas. The abject poverty of Tribals is such that they cannot even afford to bring up their children. Consequently, infant sale by the Tribals is becoming more and more rampant. The percentage of population of Tribals is more in Telangana than in the other regions of the State. As the reservations and incentives meant for them are on the basis of percentage of their population in the entire State, their quota in Telangana gets reduced. Tribals constitute about 12% of total population in the Telangana region, but State’s average for reservations to Tribals in employment and Educational institutions is only 6%.

ix. The Muslim minority of the region has lost its preeminence which it enjoyed in the past. It is a totally neglected section of the people in matters of education, employment, economic development, participation in the polity and language and culture. Low literacy rate among the Muslims is getting further compounded by an abnormally high rate of dropouts at the school level. It is as high as 90% as confessed by the Minister for Minority Welfare of the State. The Muslim Community is made to suffer perennially with a feeling of insecurity, neglect and deprivation.

x. On the industrial front quite a few major industries inherited from the erstwhile Hyderabad State are either closed down or sold out. To mention a few: the Azamjahi Mills in Warangal, the largest textile mill of the times in Asia, has been closed down; the Nizam’s Sugar Factory in Bodhan, the largest Sugar mill of the times in Asia, has been sold out to Andhra investors at a throw away price; the Sirsilk Factory in Sirpur, Spinning Mills of Antargaon, DBR Mills, Allwyn Factory, Republic Forge, Glass Factory have been abandoned. The Fertiliser Factory at Ramagundem and IDPL in Hyderabad have also been liquidated. The level of employment in the Singareni Collieries is being pruned year after year.

The industrial development that has taken place in and around the capital city has not benefited the Telangana in any way. The land, water and power and other infrastructure facilities, made available to these industries belong entirely to Telangana; yet the migrants from the other regions are given more than 95% of the jobs. No major industry worth its name has been set up in any of the districts of the Telangana region as compared to the establishment of several industries in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Nellore, Tirupathi, Kadapa and Kurnool in the other regions.

xi. On the political front, the leadership of Telangana is completely marginalized. It is not allowed to grow, and even if it does, is not allowed to sustain itself. Even the stalwarts like PV Narasimha Rao and M Chenna Reddy could not survive as chief ministers for more than a few months. It is reflected in the tenures of the three chief ministers from Telangana -- PV Narasimha Rao, M Chenna Reddy and T Anjaiah. In the 54 year long history of the State, all of them put together held that position hardly for six years, that too in four installments. About the stature of the present day political leadership of Telangana, irrespective of the parties, the less said, the better.

xii. The socio-cultural identity of Telangana, its traditions, customs, dialect and idiom are always heckled at, hurting the self respect of the people. The electronic and print media and the cinema industry have been playing a significant role in belittling the people of Telangana and their identity.

Deprivations of legitimate share in the fruits of development, marginalization in the political process and humiliation on socio-cultural front have reduced the people of Telangana to being second rate citizens in their own homeland. They have to literally beg for their rightful shares whether it is regarding development or polity. These problems can be addressed only when the people of the region are liberated from the present exploitative set up and have power to shape their own destinies, i.e., self rule.

A Vertical Division:

The Committee must be aware that in the wake of ongoing movement, especially after 9^th December 2009, all the sections of the society are vertically divided region-wise. Ministers are not in a position to work in unison. Members of Parliament, State Legislature or local bodies are unable to sit together. The bureaucracy also is a divided lot. The gulf between the people of the two regions is widened and has become unbridgeable. Inter regional mobility of people; including the people’s representatives has, become hazardous.

It is needless to underscore that the unity between two regions of the State can never be a unilateral concept. It can happen only with mutual confidence, respect, willingness and bilateral consent. It can never be imposed unilaterally by force on the unwilling party. If it is forced, it will have far reaching consequences.

An Inescapable Necessity:

The remedy, and the only one, therefore, lies in bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh and the restoration of status quo ante that existed before 1^st November 1956. The sooner it is done the better!

With Warm Regards,

Yours sincerely,

(K. Chandrasekhar Rao)

President

THE GREAT GLORY OF TELANGANA....before mergence wid ANDHRA.....

WHY TELANGANA...?

1. Why are we hearing separate Telangana slogan again?
The demand for a separate state of Telangana isn't new. Telanganites have very clearly expressed their opposition a decade before Andhra Pradesh was formed. They reasoned that in a united Andhra Pradesh they will not get justice. Even after five decades, this demand is continuing. The reason for this is the experience of past 48 years that justice will not be done to Telangana and belief that it will continue to be denied to Telanganites in united AP.

2. Isn't Telangana slogan the creation of unemployed politicians?
Telangana demand is a peoples' movement born out of their problems. Are all the people robbed unabatedly, continuously for the 48-years and raising their voice again , unemployed political leaders? Who are the unemployed political Leaders? Are they the farmers that have been suffering for lack of drinking water, irrigations water, and cuts in electric supply? Are they the workers who lost their livelihood due to lack of new industries, and closure of existing industries? Are they the unemployed youth whose job opportunities are hijacked by outsiders? Are they the innumerable people who have been labelled and suppressed as terrorists because they raised their voice for Telangana? When people are subject to robbery and injustice and take to the streets, it is natural for leaders to enter the fray. Just because out of power politicians support Telangana statehood, does it stop being peoples' movement? In any movement, politicians in and out of power join in. Some even deceive and attempt to side line the movement, but they can't stop the movement. Movements continue until justice is served to the people. The educated that are the pillars of this movement aren't unemployed. They aren't even after employment for themselves.

3. Why didn't the Chief Ministers that came from Telangana area work to develop Telangana?
It is true that PV Narasimha Rao, Marri Chenna Reddy (twice), T. Anjiah from Telangana were Chief Ministers of AP. Altogether they were in power for 6-years in four terms. It is also true they haven't made any noticeable development of Telangana. Jalagam Vengal Rao was a settler. He never assimilated himself in Telangana. He is credited with the disservice to Telangana by extending Nagarjun Sagar left canal. Then what about, Rayala Seema? There were stalwarts from Rayala seems that were in power for twenty years. (N. Sanjeeva Reddy-2terms, Damodaram Sanjeeviah, K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy-2 terms, CB Naidu-2 terms). Why is Rayalaseema backward? Fact is they slaved for the Coastal Andhra wealth and the privileged few of these wealthy that control the politics of the state. Fazal Ali commission recognized the consequences of mixing a developed area with a backward area and recommended that Telangana be kept as a separate state. If this country's politicians had the wherewithal to listen to the wise men, we wouldn't be in this situation!

4. Isn't it detrimental to Indian national unity if small states are continuously created?
Out of the 35 states currently in India (28 states and 7 central possessions), 70% are smaller than Telangana. Telangana's population is 30 million plus. There are 25 states that are smaller than Telangana. If these twenty-five don't cause national unity issues, why would creation of a larger state be any dangerous?

5. What would you do if the backward districts in Telangana want a separate state of their own after formation of Telangana state?
Backwardness of Telangana is a major reason for the Telangana state demand but not the sole reason. All ten Telangana districts have same historical background, geographic closeness, cultural commonality, language unity, and mutual understanding among the people. These factors are all foundation for unity of thought. Never did the people of Telangana districts express a desire or sentiment to be separate from the rest of the districts directly or indirectly. There isn't an opportunity for such either. In our country there are some other backward districts in various states. Are they all demanding a separate statehood? It is meaningless and baseless argument.

6. Why do people with one language need two states?
If one language, one state is the norm, why do we have 9-Hindhi speaking states? Next to Hindi, Telugu is the most spoken language in India. What is wrong with having two states that speak Telugu? Some people claim that Telangana Telugu isn't the proper Telugu. Some others say it isn't even Telugu. Why should these people that make fun of Telangana language and ridicule its culture should be objecting if Telangana is separate state?

7. Isn't a separate state, a nation dividing, people separating and demand?
If the desire of a people of a region to have their own state is a divisive act, then all states formation is a divisive act. In fact language based state formation itself is a divisive act. Same reasons that Potti Sriramulu the architect for separation of Andhra from Madras state, presented are the reasons Telanganites want their own state. The same argument used by the Andhras in the past is used by Telanganites now. If it was not an objectionable demand then how could it be objectionable now?

8. How long should states division continue?
States re-organization is a continuing activity in India. Even before Fazal Ali commission this process has started, Example: Formation of Andhra, split from Madras. It has been continuing ever since, Ex: Eastern states division, Maharastra, Gujrath, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jarkhand, Uttaranchal, Chattisghad. Why should there be any objections for Telangana formation when there were no such objections for these states formation?

9. There are other backward areas in the state. Why should only Telangana people have a separate state of their own?
Just as Telangana, Rayalaseema and north Andhra have been discriminated. True. But, additionally Telangana has been systemically robbed. Diversion of this regions natural resources, water, underground resources and their income to other areas, the robbing of jobs from the region's people, Colonization aren't directed at other areas. Additionally the Telanganites have been subject to ridicule with respect to the language and the politicians have been looked down upon to the extent they lost their own self image. To preserve their self respect and to protect their region's natural resources, people of Telangana want their own state.

10. Aren't Naxalites the cause of Telangana's backwardness?
Only people that don't understand or like to conveniently ignore historical facts would ask such questions. Naxals aren't the cause of Telangana backwardness. They are an effect of Telangana backwardness. Naxals came up in Telangana due to this region has been subject to continues neglect and systematic theft of its resources.

11. Instead of asking for a separate state, why can't you fight for development within the frame work of united AP?
The promises of Telangana development have been made for the past 48 years in united AP. Before and after the formation of AP, Which promises were kept? Which agreements were respected? Which projects were implemented? Which principles were they bound to? From the first day of AP formation, till to-day, agreements are being broken. What were the united AP wishers do? Did they even express any concerns? How long should the Telangana people bear this and put up with this injustice?

12. Isn't separate Telangana state an anti-Andhra people's movement?
Emphatically, no. Telangana people don't bear any animosity against the coastal Andhra or Rayalaseema people or the ordinary migrants from those areas to Telangana. Telangana people's anger is with: The rulers that are raping Telangana resources. With their supporters in Andhra and also from Telangana. Those that came to Telangana and think they are the rulers of Telangana. Those that control the state Government with their financial strength and rob Telangana. Those that ridicule, Telangana language, culture and their mannerisms. All those that become a part of Telangana and share in the happiness and sorrow of Telangana with the locals are welcomed and, respected and loved.

13. What is there to be gained by the SC, ST and weaker sections in separate Telangana?
What did these groups gain in united AP in 48 years? Apart from Sanjeeviah being CM for few months, when did any of these classes have any power? What is the status of these peoples leadership? What is the attitude of current Congress, BJP, both the communist parties, TDP? Not only the weaker sections, even the forward classes of Telangana, do they have any opportunity to exert any real power? For these classes to gain power they have to become active. For the past few years these people are rising, becoming active. No matter how active they become, in the united AP, not only these but other classes of people will also not progress. At least the forward class in Telangana have come to realization that it is unavoidable in the society for all people to a rightful share in the political power. Because of this there is opportunity in Separate Telangana for true democracy represented by all people, to prevail.

14. Andhras have built Hyderabad. Is it fair to ask them to leave it now?
Hyderabad was a beautiful city built by Nizam on the sweat of Telangana villagers. One of the reasons Andhras eyed Telangana was Hyderabad- a readymade beautiful Capitol city. It was fifth largest city before AP was formed and it still is fifth largest city. If Andhras contributed to Hyderabad, it was not out of love for Telangana but was for the convenience of the rich Andhras that have made Hyderabad their home. Hyderabad is still growing but not from Andhras coming to settle but from the middle classes and forward classes of Telangana moving to the city for security and for services and livelihood, as the village economy in Telangana is all but destroyed by neglect of the ruling class, and failure of monsoons. Besides, nobody is asking anybody to leave any place. India is a free country and anybody can go and stay and pursue their livelihood anywhere in India. Hyderabad is a cosmopolitan city and people from many languages and all states of India call it their home. Also, this isn't a separation of people like Pakistan and India. It is merely a separation of political and administrative machinery so people of Telangana can control their own destiny. The settlers are welcome to stay, contribute and share in the success of Telangana.

Why Telangana

1. There are 10 districts in Telangana, 9 in Andhra and 4 in Rayalaseema. Out of these Districts, 7 are in Telangana, 3 are in Andhra and 1 in Rayalaseema are considered as severely backward districts which means 70% of districts in Telangana a re backward while in Andhra it is 35% and in Rayalaseema it is 25%. Apart from these there are some areas in all parts of the state which are also backward.

2. 45% of the state income comes from Telangana region. When it comes to utilization of funds, the share of Telangana is only 28%.

3. Normally canals are dug to supply water to the crops from rivers for cultivation. The amount of land cultivated through canals in just Guntur district is MORE THAN the land cultivated with canals in entire Telangana region.

4. Nagarjuna sagar dam is built in Nalgonda district which is in Telangana but majority of the water from the dam is used for Krishna and Guntur district. The original dam was supposed to be build much ahead of its present location but the location was changed so that it falls in the Telangana region. Due to the construction of the dam several hectares of Lime stone mines vanished as part of the dam back waters. Everyone knows that lime stone is used for producing cement. Even the natural resources were not allowed to remain.

5. Fluorinated water problem is only in Nalgonda district which has not been resolved since decades.

6. Two major rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra enter the state of AP in the district of Mahaboobnagar (the biggest district in Telangana) but the district always remains the worst draught hit areas along with Anantapur because there is no project and process with which the water can be utilized. The plan for utilization has been pending for decades.

7. RDS (Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme) is building in Mahaboobnagar to provide water to 85000 hectares of land in the district. The leaders of Rayalaseema blasted the gates of RDS and water is supplied to KC (Kurnool-Cudapa) canal while only remaining water, if any, is supplied to the lands in Mahaboobnagar.

8. 3 TMC of water from Gandipet is sufficient to supply drinking water to our city. Every year 1700 TMC of water is wasted and is flown into Bay of Bengal from river Godavari. Starting from Nizamabad to Bay of Bengal there is no project allowed to build on Godavari. If it is built leaders in Godavari districts fear that the fertile lands in the area may fall short of water. If the Godavari water is utilized properly, there will be no scarcity for food grains in our state.

9. In Telangana regions, only few areas cultivate one crop a year and very rarely two crops a year while most of the land doesn't even cultivate single crop. In both the Godavari districts, Krishna and Guntur district, two crops a year is common and there are times where even 3 crops a year are cultivated. The only reason is WATER.

10. Government issue G.O.'s for implicating its decisions. G.O number 610 is the longest non implicated G.O in the history of AP. The G.O was issued in 1986 by late NTR who was then the CM of AP, which is not yet implicated. The G.O speaks about the share of Telangana employees in Government jobs in Telangana region.

11. 33% of the population in Mahaboobnagar district have left the district for livelihood to different parts of the state due to draught and majority of them are working as daily labour. No other district has so many people who fled the home place due to lack of livelihood and working as daily labour.

12. There are 25 plus government degree colleges in Krishna, Cudapa and Guntur district while there is not even a single government degree college in Rangareddy district.

13. Dairy development corporation of AP purchases milk from farmers across the state for distribution. For the same milk, in Andhra, the government pays Rs.24 to the farmers and in Telangana they pay Rs.22 per liter. Partiality is shown even in milk.

14. In between 2005-2008 government sold lands worth Rs.20000 crores in and around Hyderabad which was utilized to build projects in Rayalaseema and Andhra.

15. Not even a single project was completed in Telangana in the last 5 years while several projects were completed in Andhra and Rayalaseema. Not just Telangana but areas of Northern Andhra, Prakasham and parts of Rayalaseema are still backward. The state needs to progress as a unit. People are suffering across the state and they need a solution.

TELANGANA AMARAVEERULAKU JOHARLU....JAI TELANGANA

TELANGANA on THE NEW YORK TIMES front page......

Lynsey Addario for The New York Times

HYDERABAD, India — Sai Kumar Meegada, a 20-year-old straight-A chemical engineering student at a prestigious university here, came home from breakfast one morning early this month, slipped a length of clothesline around his neck, tied it to the ceiling fan in his dorm room and hanged himself.

“For the people of Telangana, this is my final salute,” said a note he left, referring to the decades-old struggle to create a separate region in Andhra Pradesh, a large state in southern India. “My final and last request is take my body to the legislative assembly. Goodbye.”

With that, Mr. Meegada became one of a surprising number of people — many of them young and educated, with bright futures awaiting them — to have committed suicide over the battle to carve out India’s 29th state. Some estimates have attributed more than 200 suicides to the cause.

But these politically motivated deaths are just one aspect of a troubling trend. Suicide has become something of a phenomenon in India, especially in the south, which now has one of the highest suicide rates in the world — a fact that has both puzzled and alarmed public health experts.

Suicides by indebted farmers are frequently reported in the news media and pointed to as a sign that India has forgotten its rural poor. But according to Indian government statistics, bankruptcy or poverty provoke less than 5 percent of Indian suicides. A family conflict, a broken love affair or an illness is a more likely spur.

Then there are politics. The number of ideologically motivated suicides in India doubled between 2006 and 2008, the last year for which statistics were available, according to the government. While the overall number remains small, mental health experts say these deaths illustrate the increasing stress on young people in a nation where, elections notwithstanding, the masses often feel powerless.

“Young people see this as a way to give meaning to what seem like meaningless lives,” said Sudhir Kakar, a prominent psychoanalyst and novelist who has written extensively about mental health in India. “It is a way to become a hero, to take a stand.”

Suicide is generally considered taboo in Hinduism, the religion of most Indians, because it disrupts the cycle of reincarnation that is central to the soul’s progress, Mr. Kakar said.

But the willingness to die for a cause, as exemplified by Gandhi’s epic fasts during the struggle for independence, is seen as noble and worthy. Ancient warriors in Tamil Nadu, in southeastern India, would commit suicide if their commander was killed, Mr. Kakar said. And the practice of sati, or widow burning, although outlawed, remains a potent symbol of wifely devotion.

In modern, democratic India, however, such drastic measures seem like a bizarre and troubling throwback that has shattered many families.

The political causes that spur multiple suicides can seem remarkably provincial. When Andhra Pradesh’s popular chief minister, Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, died in a helicopter crash last year, the news media reported suicides by dozens of his supporters, though such reports are difficult to verify.

Other suicide epidemics have had nothing to do with politics. When a gangster kidnapped the Indian actor Rajkumar, one of the biggest stars of Kannada-language films, in 2000, it was reported that dozens of his fans had committed suicide out of despair for their hero’s safety.

The fight for statehood for Telangana, an inland region that sees itself as marginalized by coastal elites, gained attention when a fast brought the movement’s leader, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, to the brink of death in December.

Since then, confusing political brawling has left the region’s statehood hopes in limbo, but dozens of young people besides Mr. Meegada, the engineering student, have succumbed to the emotional pull of the issue.

M. Sunil Kumar was a 25-year-old reporter at a local newspaper in the provincial town of Warangal. His older brother Anil had dropped out of high school to run the family’s mutton shop when their father died so that Sunil could go to college.

Mr. Kumar apparently became obsessed with the statehood movement, attending every meeting of the local activist group. One day in early March, the family went to a distant temple, but Mr. Kumar stayed behind. His mother discovered him hanging from a beam, one of her shawls around his neck.

“I am sacrificing my life for Telangana, to wake up our leaders,” he wrote in a suicide note.

But his family has also sacrificed, losing not only a son but also their biggest breadwinner. “I lost my son because of Telangana,” his mother, Swarupa, wailed. “Don’t burn your mother’s womb,” she shouted, imploring other statehood supporters not to commit suicide.

Nevertheless, local political leaders have exploited Mr. Kumar’s death. Outside the family’s two-room house hangs a banner with Mr. Kumar’s photograph superimposed over his suicide note. “Those who commit suicide for Telangana, we salute you,” the text on the poster says. “Wake up people and fight for Telangana.”

Political leaders of the movement said that they tried to discourage young people from committing suicide. “We tell them, don’t die for Telangana, live and fight for Telangana,” Mr. Rao said.

But other leaders seem less wary about celebrating suicide for the cause. “They are real heroes,” said Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, a member of the governing council of the main pro-statehood party. “But we are not glorifying that heroism.”

Glory is perhaps what Karunakar, 20, a lower-caste eighth-grade dropout, was looking for when he doused himself in kerosene and set himself alight in January.

He instantly became an icon in his village. A poster of him in a tough, Bollywood-style pose of defiance hangs in the village square, next to a small temple to the monkey god Hanuman. In life, he was unheralded: a day laborer who grew up in a part of town notorious for prostitution. In death, he was a hero.

“He was all the time talking of Telangana, Telangana, Telangana,” said his 70-year-old grandfather, Musku Hanumanthu. “I tried to persuade him not to get too involved. But he used to say, ‘I will sacrifice everything for Telangana.’ ”

He survived for three days in the hospital, expressing no regrets despite the pain of his burns, his grandfather said.

“Even in the hospital he kept saying, ‘Long live Telangana,’ ” Mr. Hanumanthu said.