ISAS Insights

The idea that the Telengana region of the state of Andhra Pradesh, which was historically part of the princely state of Hyderabad, should be constituted as a separate state, has a long history. The announcement on 9 December 2009 by the Home Minister of India that 'the process of forming the state of Telengana would be initiated' has, however, provoked uproar across the state. Whereas, before the 2009 elections all the major parties of Andhra supported the formation of Telengana, all are now divided on the question, and agitation continues. This paper explores the background to the dispute, the reasons why many of the people of the region seek separation, and its implications for thinking about the territorial reorganisation of Indian states. The paper argues that creating smaller states may not be the best way of tackling growing problems of regional inequality across India.