The notion of "Telugu Jathi" (Telugu nation) and the suppression of Telangana identity are interwoven themes in the history of united Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the context of the Telangana movement. The conflict between the ideal of a unified Telugu identity and the distinct socio-cultural identity of Telangana was a central issue in the region's quest for statehood. During the 1980s and 1990s, the notion of "Telugu Jathi" (Telugu Nation), popularized by N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) and his Telugu Desam Party (TDP), emerged as a unifying force that sought to emphasize the cultural and linguistic identity of all Telugu-speaking people. While this ideology gained significant support across Andhra Pradesh, it inadvertently led to the suppression of the distinct Telangana identity, creating tensions between the two regions—Telangana and Coastal Andhra.

1. The rise of Telugu Jathi (Telugu Nation)

The idea of Telugu Jathi emerged after India’s independence when linguistic states were being formed. The Andhra movement, which led to the formation of Andhra State in 1953 and later the merger with Telangana in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh, was based on linguistic unity. The premise was that all Telugu-speaking people, regardless of their regional affiliations, should live in a single state. This idea was grounded in the belief that a shared language would bind people together under the concept of a united Telugu nation.

However, while the concept of Telugu Jathi might have created a sense of linguistic unity for some, it overlooked the distinct socio-economic and cultural identity of the Telangana region, which had its own unique historical experiences, particularly under the Nizam’s rule.

NTR and Telugu Pride: N.T. Rama Rao, a charismatic leader and former film actor, founded the TDP in 1982, with a strong emphasis on the cultural unity of Telugu-speaking people across Andhra Pradesh. His platform aimed to revive Telugu pride and protect the state's regional autonomy within India. The concept of Telugu Jathi sought to foster solidarity across Andhra Pradesh’s two major regions—Coastal Andhra and Telangana—under a common linguistic and cultural identity.

Promotion of a Unified Culture: NTR promoted the idea of a single Telugu culture through films, political campaigns, and public speeches. He emphasized the greatness of Telugu heritage, art, and language. His government also pushed policies to promote this unified identity, including making Telugu language education mandatory and celebrating Telugu festivals.

 

2. Suppression of Telangana Identity

The suppression of Telangana’s identity became evident in several ways after the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956:

Economic and Political Marginalization:

  • Telangana leaders and activists felt that the region was being systematically exploited and marginalized by the political and economic elites from the coastal Andhra region. Key resources such as water from the Krishna and Godavari rivers, as well as revenue generated from the region, were allegedly diverted to benefit the Andhra region.
  • Telangana’s leaders and activists also argued that the emphasis on Telugu Jathi masked deeper inequalities in resource allocation and political representation between Coastal Andhra and Telangana. Telangana’s backwardness in terms of irrigation, industrialization, and infrastructure was attributed to systemic neglect by the state government, which was dominated by leaders from Coastal Andhra.
  • Telangana was historically under the Nizam's princely state and had developed a different administrative, landholding, and educational structure than Andhra, which had been part of British-ruled Madras Presidency. These differences were not adequately addressed in the new, united state, leading to a perception that Telangana’s backwardness was being perpetuated.

Marginalization of Telangana's Culture and Language:

  • The language and culture of Telangana were often considered inferior by the dominant political elites from Andhra. The Telangana dialect of Telugu was ridiculed and sidelined in favor of the Andhra dialect, which was promoted as the “standard” form of Telugu in schools, administration, and media.
  • Telangana’s folk traditions, festivals, and cultural practices were also often overshadowed by the more dominant Andhra culture. For example, Andhra festivals like Ugadi were given prominence, while Telangana’s local festivals, like Bathukamma, were neglected in public discourse and celebrations.
  • Despite the emphasis on Telugu unity, the Telangana dialect, folk traditions, and cultural practices were often marginalized or viewed as inferior to the more dominant Coastal Andhra culture. The Telangana dialect of Telugu was often seen as less "refined" compared to the formal Telugu used in Coastal Andhra, and this created a sense of cultural inferiority among Telangana people.

Educational and Employment Discrimination:

  • The Mulki Rules, which were meant to protect local employment for people from Telangana, were violated regularly, leading to the appointment of people from Andhra in government jobs in Telangana. This became a major point of contention, as Telangana’s educated youth faced difficulties in securing government positions.
  • The perceived discrimination in government services, as well as in educational institutions, further fueled resentment in Telangana, leading to widespread protests, particularly during the 1969 Telangana agitation.

Unequal Development: 
  • During the 1980s and 1990s, much of the economic growth, particularly in agriculture and industry, was concentrated in the Coastal Andhra region. The failure to address Telangana's specific needs—especially in terms of irrigation, land reforms, and employment—heightened the sense of economic disparity. The Mulki rules, which were intended to protect employment opportunities for Telangana residents, were often violated or circumvented, leading to resentment.

3. Telangana Movement and Assertion of Identity

The Telangana movement gained momentum in the 1960s and then again in the 2000s, as the people of the region increasingly felt that the concept of Telugu Jathi was being used as a tool to suppress their unique identity and rights. The movement emphasized the distinct historical, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics of Telangana, arguing that the region’s people were being treated as second-class citizens within their own state.

Key elements of Telangana’s assertion of identity included:

  • Revival of Telangana’s Culture: During the agitation, festivals like Bathukamma and cultural practices unique to the region were promoted to reclaim the region’s heritage.
  • Telangana Dialect: The Telangana dialect of Telugu was championed as an integral part of the region’s identity, with activists demanding that it be recognized and respected in education and official communication.
  • Economic Exploitation: The movement highlighted how Telangana’s resources, particularly water, coal, and land, were being exploited for the benefit of the Andhra region while the people of Telangana remained economically disadvantaged.

4. Post-Statehood and Telangana Identity

After Telangana became a separate state in 2014, there has been a concerted effort to revive and promote its distinct cultural identity. The Telangana government under the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has focused on projects and policies that emphasize Telangana’s unique history, culture, and socio-economic development, distancing itself from the broader notion of a united Telugu identity.

Conclusion

The concept of Telugu Jathi was based on linguistic unity, but it failed to recognize the distinct regional identity of Telangana. This led to feelings of political and economic marginalization and cultural suppression in Telangana, which fueled the demand for statehood. The Telangana movement was not only about economic and political autonomy but also about reclaiming and asserting a unique regional identity that had been suppressed in the name of linguistic unity.