The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956 was a key political understanding reached between the leaders of Andhra and Telangana regions to safeguard the interests of the Telangana region after its merger with Andhra to form the state of Andhra Pradesh. The agreement aimed to address the concerns of Telangana leaders about political, economic, and cultural dominance by the more developed Andhra region following the integration.
Background
- After the States Reorganization Commission (SRC) recommended the merger of Telangana (the Telugu-speaking part of Hyderabad State) with Andhra, leaders from Telangana were initially opposed to the merger. They feared that Telangana, which was relatively underdeveloped, would be dominated by the economically advanced Andhra region.
- To ease these concerns, the Gentlemen’s Agreement was signed on February 20, 1956, between political leaders of Andhra and Telangana, ensuring certain safeguards for the Telangana region.
It was signed by leaders from both Andhra and Telangana to address the concerns of the Telangana region during its merger with Andhra to form the state of Andhra Pradesh. The signatories of the agreement included prominent leaders from both regions.
Signatories of the Gentlemen’s Agreement:
From Andhra Region:
- Bezawada Gopala Reddy – A senior leader and former Chief Minister of Andhra State.
- N. Sanjiva Reddy – Another senior politician who later became the President of India.
- Gouthu Lachchanna - A prominent Indian freedom fighter, social reformer, and political leader from Andhra Pradesh
- Alluri Satya Narayana Raju - known for his contributions to the social and political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
- A. C. Subba Reddy – A political leader from Andhra Pradesh, also an important figure in the Congress Party.
From Telangana Region:
- Burgula Ramakrishna Rao – The then Chief Minister of Hyderabad State, a key leader from Telangana.
- K. V. Ranga Reddy – A prominent Telangana leader, also known for his contribution to the Telangana cause.
- Marri Chenna Reddy – A leader from Telangana who later played a crucial role in the Telangana movement and became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
- J.V. Narsinga Rao - A notable figure in the history of Telangana, recognized for his contributions to the social, political, and cultural landscape of the region
The agreement was crucial in securing assurances for Telangana before its merger with Andhra, although it was later criticized for not being fully implemented, leading to demands for a separate Telangana state.
Main Provisions of the Gentlemen’s Agreement
The agreement included several key provisions to ensure the equitable treatment of both regions within the newly formed Andhra Pradesh state:
Regional Council for Telangana:
- A separate Regional Council was to be established for Telangana, consisting of 20 members, to oversee the administration and development of the region.
- This council was given authority over subjects like education, local administration, public health, and agriculture. It was also responsible for budget allocations to ensure that Telangana’s interests were protected.
Expenditure of Revenues:
- It was agreed that the revenue collected in Telangana would be used primarily for the development of Telangana itself for at least five years. Telangana leaders were concerned that their region's revenues, particularly from Hyderabad, might be diverted to Andhra.
- The Gentlemen’s Agreement ensured that Telangana’s financial resources were not used disproportionately for the development of the Andhra region.
Mulki Rules (Local Employment Rules):
- The Mulki Rules, which had been in place during the Nizam's rule, ensured that government jobs in Telangana were reserved for local candidates. The agreement stated that these rules would continue for 10 years to safeguard employment opportunities for people from Telangana.
Government Jobs:
- Public sector jobs in Telangana were to be filled primarily by people from the region to avoid discrimination and to ensure that residents of Telangana had adequate representation in state services.
Domicile Requirements for Employment:
- To further protect Telangana's interests in public employment, a domicile rule was established, requiring 12 years of residence in Telangana to be eligible for employment in the region.
Chief Minister’s Post:
- There was an understanding that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh could come from either Andhra or Telangana, but the Deputy Chief Minister would be from the other region. This was to ensure a balance in political leadership between the two regions.
Educational Opportunities:
- The agreement also addressed the issue of educational opportunities, ensuring that students from Telangana would not be disadvantaged and that educational institutions in the region would receive adequate attention and resources.
Recommendations and Safeguards
- The SRC had recommended the merger on a conditional basis, emphasizing that Telangana’s identity, resources, and political autonomy should be protected. The Gentlemen’s Agreement was a step toward realizing those conditions.
- It was expected that these provisions would continue for several years until Telangana caught up with Andhra in terms of economic and infrastructural development.
Aftermath
- Despite the agreement, Telangana leaders felt that its provisions were not properly implemented. Over time, grievances over the lack of equitable distribution of resources, jobs, and political power led to dissatisfaction in Telangana.
- The failure to honor the Gentlemen’s Agreement became one of the major reasons for the resurgence of the Telangana movement, which culminated in the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the formation of a separate Telangana state in 2014.
Conclusion
The Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1956 was an attempt to resolve regional disparities and political concerns during the formation of Andhra Pradesh. While it was a well-intentioned compromise, its incomplete implementation led to ongoing political tensions between Andhra and Telangana, ultimately resulting in the creation of two separate states.
