HYDERABAD: As part of renewed efforts to intensify the struggle for a separate state, the Telangana political joint action committee (T-JAC) plans to mobilise public support towards the boycott of goods and services offered by anti-Telangana businessmen and politicians.
Although the issue has been repeatedly discussed over the past two years, T-JAC feels that the time is ripe for mobilising public support against anti-Telangana forces.
The T-JAC has already asked its district and mandal level committees to secure before its crucial steering committee meeting, scheduled after Sankranti, a list of products and services offered by individuals and institutions working against the movement.
Some of the goods and services identified include TV news channels and newspapers and movies either owned or promoted by anti-Telangana actors, directors, financiers and politicians.
Another major sector identified by T-JAC is real estate wherein Telangana people would be asked to stop buying plots, layouts and apartments offered by Seemandhra realtors and developers.
The people have been asked to stop using milk and sweetmeats sold by Seemandhra businessmen and boycott supermarkets, restaurants, tiffin centres and liquor outlets promoted by anti-Telangana politicians.
People would also be urged to stop sending their children to schools and colleges promoted by Seemandhra education entrepreneurs.
T-JAC chairman M Kodandaram said: “The Telangana agitation is not against Seemandhra people but only against those who have exploited the resources in the region and are working against the movement. Nothing has been finalised yet.
“It is still at the proposal stage. There are several other suggestions. We will keep everyone posted about the developments.” A T-JAC leader familiar with the development, said: “We will be borrowing Mahatma Gandhi’s success mantra that brought pressure on the British with a boycott of their goods during freedom struggle.
“The T-JAC would like to emulate this example in the Telangana region and exert pressure on non-Telangana leaders to come out in open support of our demand for statehood.”
Sources in T-JAC said that among other issues that would figure prominently at the steering committee meeting would be the question as to when to kick-start the “Quit Telangana movement” that targets all forces (politicians, businesspersons, realtors, traders, entrepreneurs) who have been acting to dilute the movement.
They said all 28 affiliates have been asked to put forth their proposals for the strengthening of the movement during the meeting.
We will be borrowing Mahatma Gandhi’s success mantra that brought pressure on the British with a boycott of their goods during freedom struggle. The T-JAC would like to emulate this example in the Telangana region and exert pressure on non-Telangana leaders to come out in open support of our demand for statehood. [From TOI]