1.Why are you demanding Separate Andhra, when Samaikyandhra (unitedA ndhra) and Telangana movements are going ahead in full steam? Can you please elaborate your position?
Way back in 1998, when Dalit Mahasabha’s Executive Committee meeting took place, all of us felt that the formation of Telangana is imperative but also that a separate Andhra has also become abhistorical necessity. Our reason was that the state administration in Coastal Andhra andRayalaseema had begun to move away from the Dalits. To a certain extent, Vijayawada was still functioning as an important nodal point (for the administration) when Karamchedu (1984) and Tsundur (1992) incidents took place (making it accessible to the Dalits there). Later, it became totally Hyderabad-centric. The question we asked ourselves was – should Hyderabad be our only point of access to the government?
2. Do you think that in ‘Samaikyandhra’ (current Andhra Pradesh), those districts that are far away from the capital city got neglected?
All the MPs from Coastal Andhra and Seema have begun to live and invest in Hyderabad, neglecting their own constituencies. They have destroyed Hyderabad in the name of industrial development. Before Nagarjuna Sagar was built, 80% of the agricultural land there was owned by the SCs, BCs and STs. As soon as irrigation prospects in that area improved with this project, all such land was bought off. For instance, in Karamchedu, two social groups obtained control over
18,000 acres of land, leaving a mere 140 acres to Dalits. The income from this fertile land was in turn invested in industries in Hyderabad.
3. Isn’t it the leaders from Coastal Andhra who are leading Samaikyandhra movement?
None of them can be called a leader. Not a single one can organize a meeting with 10,000 people. They all stay in Hyderabad. (Unlike them) We (Dalits) cannot come to Hyderabad nor loot it. Telangana has a head called Hyderabad. We don’t have one. 48 lakh acres of wet land and 38 lakh acres of dry land in Coastal Andhra get cultivated with the water that flows through your (Telangana) area. The farmers are scared that they will lose their livelihood if you stop this water. We also don’t have a capital city.
4. There is an allegation that the Samaikyandhra movement is ‘sponsored’ and that it is led by capitalists. How far is it true?
We don’t have a single MP from Coastal Andhra who owns less than 500 Cr. They are all capable of owning their own private airplanes. They might be running the show.
5. How do you see your role in filling the need for real leadership?
We (Dalits) are in a key position now. There have been three major movements in Andhra country till now. In all these, I have been in forefront. ‘I’ means Dalits. Before two separate states get carved, we need certain assurances from the Telangana people. They should not say ‘You Andhra people’. We are all Indians. We also need urbanization. Why couldn’t Vijayawada be turned into a Kanpur or Vizag into a mini Mumbai? One can see that it is because Hyderabad lands have been sold off that the Telangana movement came up. In fact, there should have been a movement in Coastal Andhra after the announcement of Coastal Corridor.
5. What is your social and political background? How did you become a rationalist?
I was born in a working class family. And got habituated to participating in social movements. My command over Telugu language was obtained through learning the Bible. My teachers admitted me into a Sanskrit College. There I came across Kondaviti Venkata Kavi who was a rationalist. That is why I always argue that rationalism is a must for any religion.
6. Why did you join the Sanskrit College even though you are born in a Dalit family?
My teachers admitted me there since I started writing songs from a very young age. Through songs and poetry I learnt Sanskrit without realizing that I was doing so. Ambedkar and Lohia also became leaders after learning Sanskrit. All the Shatdarshanas in Sanskrit advocate rationalism.
7. What are the circumstances which made you a full-fledged social activist?
It was the incidents of Karamchedu and Tsunduru. We took Tsunduru till the gates of Parliament, with 25,000 people. SC/ST Atrocities Act was formulated when 107 MPs moved a resolution. That is what gives me tremendous satisfaction even now. Now Dalits have attained a middle class status.
8. Do you consider your joining a film actor who is a new entrant into politics a historical blunder?
An activist has to enter (electoral) politics too. If you contest several times, you can popularise the concept of dalit bahujan unity. In future, we may need a party for separate Andhra.
9. Do you always use your knowledge only to oppose Brahmins?
I don’t oppose Brahmins as such. Dalits don’t have social reformers like Kandukuri or Gurajada. I oppose Brahminism. Even among SCs there is Brahminism i.e., to oppress others after reaching the top. I oppose that too.
10. Is Katti Padmarao going to become the Chief Minister?
I did not enter politics aspiring for any particular post. My objective is to speak in the legislative assemblies. For that, becoming the CM is not important.
11. If a Dalit becomes the CM, will the lives of Dalits improve?
That is a political demand. If a Dalit becomes the CM, it becomes imperative for all doras to meet him. Do you know how many new laws Neelam Sanjivaiah brought? Why can’t a Dalit become the CM when 18% voters are Dalits?
12. Fraternal Dalits split into Malas and Maadigas?
If Telangana becomes a reality, this problem would disappear. Here, in Telangana, Maadigas are in the majority, while in Coastal Andhra Malas are numerically dominant. The problem won’t arise.
13. How is it that your passion, thinking and commitment are not seen in your children?
They too are committed. If I managed to write so many books till late into the night, its due to their cooperation. They are Ambekarites.
14. What do the people of Coastal Andhra want?
Many are supporting Samaikyandhra due to several apprehensions. They need clear answers to certain questions - Will the new state be bound by Bachawath award on river waters? Will the Telangana doras let river water to flow towards the people in Coastal Andhra? There are 30 lakh middle class people from Andhra in Hyderabad. Only a hundred among them are exploiters. Every Telangana MP, including KCR has good connections with them. Telangana leaders say that these exploiters will be welcomed whole heartedly to invest here. Selfish people exist on both sides. KCR and Lagadapati are good friends. We want separate Andhra, irrespective of the formation of Telangana state.
15. Did Chiranjeevi ever feel like agreeing to Telangana demand?
He does not have the opportunity to feel like that. His lifestyle is that of a Coastal Andhra person. We tried to teach him the concept of Saamajika Telangana. He went off to that side because he couldn’t understand the concept.
16. What is your message to the people of the state?.
Coastal area is rich in resources. We should split like brothers, form a new state and develop a new capital city. It will be to our beneficit. Now, it is no longer ethical to support a united state. It
is similar to supporting an ‘acid attack’ (on an unwilling love interest).
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Source: This interview is a shortened version of the original televised interview conducted for ABN news channel. This Interview with Dr.Katti Padmarao by Ghanta Chakrapaani, was published in Andhra Jyothi News Paper on February 7th,2013
