Bapuji’s Nellore Meet
Sri Konda Laxman Bapuji’s Sadbhavana Meet on Sunday, 20th November went off peacefully in Nellore. He was able to put forth his views on the division of the state without any disturbance. He not only argued for the need to create a separate Telangana State, but also said that the state should be divided into three. He batted for separate Rayalaseema also. He said he was in favour of smaller states, no matter how many.
Speakers in the meet expressed their views unhindered. Nobody barged into the meet. Nobody shouted slogans outside the venue. Nobody hurled abuses. Nobody tried to manhandle anybody.
Some prominent leaders who are for Visalandhra went to the venue, met Bapuji and other speakers. They greeted him, conveyed their respects to him, felicitated him with a shawl and left the venue.
Some of the speeches at the meet were less than dignified, if you go by the newspaper reports. Uncharacteristically, even Bapuji crossed his familiar line of argument. He said that only capitalists opposed the division of the state. Never mind. That’s what he wanted to say, and he said it. It was his wisdom. So be it.
The group that invited Bapuji and his companions is a pretty smallish one. It’s presence in Nellore is insignificant. The organisers were unfamiliar to the public life of Nellore. The strong and powerful players in the political and social scene of Nellore are strong integrationists. There were integrationists even during the 1972 Jai Andhra agitation. It is well known that during that phase Nellore was a hot bed of separatism. Separatism, however, is a very faint voice in Nellore now.
Notwithstanding the strong integrationist opinion, notwithstanding the anonymity of the organisers of the separatist meet, Bapuji’s meet went off peacefully.
What does this indicate?
It clearly shows that Visalandhra Vaadana is self-confident and secure. It is not afraid of anyone organising a meet to propagate a contrary view. It’s self-confidence is revealed by the fact that staunch integrationists met the visitors and showed their respect. It indicates that the integrationists are not against separatists as individuals but are only against separatism as an idea. They only disagree with the separatists on their vision of the future of Andhra Pradesh. Integrationists have shown that one can disagree without being disrespectful and undemocratic or disruptive.
Voices of integration are not loud and shrill. They are dignified. But they are clear.
Voices of separatism are loud, shrill, abusive and disruptive. They are a cacophony.
Nellore meet brought out this contrast into bold relief. The meet revealed the petty mindedness of separatists everywhere – in the Coastal area, in Rayalaseema and in the Telangana.
If Bapuji’s mission is Sadbhavana as he claims it is, it would have earned him respect if he had invited an integrationist to speak at his meeting. If he had given a public commitment that he would take an integratlonist along with him and provide a platform for airing the argument, Bapuji would have lived up to the expectations of people who value spirit of tolerance in public life.
Has separatist pettiness polluted Bapuji’s Sadbhavana too?
Even here, Mr.Porukula, after showering with praises in the entire article, in the last sentence has made his quarrelsome attitude clear for the reader by describing Konda Lakshman Bapuji’s SADBHAAVANA as SEPARATIST’S PETTINESS. This is an arrogant personality of Prabhakar, if anybody is against his line of Argument, Mr. Prabhakar starts showering insults. How many people will tolerate such an attitude in their leader? His own followers will start pelting stones at him, sooner or later. Jai Telamgaana.
Another example of separatist’s pettiness.
Ashok says, he warns of pelting stones.
Sarve Sathayanarayana (sitting MP) warns of violent killing.
Why can’t you disagree and convey your views without resorting to violence or threat of violence.
If people do not like the views of their leader, people would discuss this with the leader or stop following the leader. They do not need to pelt stones or kill the leaders. If a law is broken, you are free to complain to police/courts about the person with the details of the illegal activity carried out by the person.
Bapuji should have said that not only crony capitalists but also their sycophants oppose creation of Telangana State. It would have been wisdom!!
“Voices of separatism are loud, shrill, abusive and disruptive. They are a cacophony.” Sir what you hear depends on your ears but poor ears can’t decide what is cacophony and what is melodious. Your heart decides. So biased heart can only hear cacophony in a war cry!
yea i went to the meeting] just to saw ”BAPUJI’so great man , we respect him; as freedom fighter as man who express his thoughts of telegana;we never against Telegana agitation; we respect the movement; at the same time we are expecting same respect from others also; Bapuji has right to tour entire Andhra pradesh to express his viwes in public meeting; but don’t have right to speak a word of united Andhrapradesh in our state capital in press club?manhandling by Parakala ,j,J.P only by very few political parties; who act double role in U.P and A.P; Telagana people are great peace loving people; some political leaders are destroying not only telangana but entire nation now-days; i hope Andhara Pradesh people are so wise they can understand it and move accordingly; for instance they never believe them before 9th DEC 2009;they know what they are; so again that time will come; we live peacefully
dear friend ashok
i object by calling PARAKALA as PORUKULA;It is his surname; his surname has great respect not only in A.P but also i India; he has right to write his opinion ; u have right to differ,to write u r opinion; don’t address like that’ u r MUNI’ at the same time realized emperor ‘ASHOK’ against vilonce; i appeal u respect all people and there surname’s too
thank you