TJAC chief to guide Gorkhaland activists

Hyderabad: TJAC chairman Prof Kodandaram has been extending a helping hand to the separate Gorkhaland state movement.
The Gorkhaland movement has gathered momentum over the past few days with violent incidents and thousands of people from all walks of life hitting the streets demanding separate state by bifurcating West Bengal.

TJAC’s Delhi unit has been actively guiding Gorkha leaders on the ‘successful strategy’ adopted by it for achieving statehood for Telangana.  

Following TJAC’s advice, Gorkha leaders have now formed JACs of teachers, students, employees, artistes and other civil organisations, similar to that of JACs formed in Telangana in 2009, to exert pressure on the Central and West Bengal government for creation of separate state.

The creation of JACs by the TJAC comprising various sections of society between 2009 and 2013 played a crucial role in exerting pressure on the Central government at the Centre to take a decision in favour of bifurcation of AP.

Though TJAC created hundreds of JACs right from village-level to state-level soon after the UPA government went back on Telangana state announcement in December 2009, the JACs of students, employees, artistes had made a huge impact.

The aggressive role played by these three JACs fuelled Telagana movement. 

Students boycotted universities, colleges, schools and disrupted exams hitting academic schedule while employees went on nearly two-month indefinite strike bringing the state administration to a halt. Artistes’ JAC held cultural programmes in all districts to create awareness among masses on the need for Telangana state.

Prof Kodandaram plans to visit Darjeeling soon to extend solidarity to the separate Gorkhaland movement. 

Bodoland and Vidarbha leaders fighting for separate states are also in touch with the TJAC chief for guidance. In fact, a team of Vidarbha leaders met him last month and invited him to Vidarbha to guide the movement.

Prof Kodandaram said, “The Telangana movement taken up by TJAC has become a role model for all other outfits seeking separate states. Various organisations and leaders have been approaching us seeking guidance on how to take the forward the statehood demand. They are inspired by TJAC’s Million March on Tank Bund, Saagara Haram on Necklace Road, Vanta-Varpu programme on highways and roads, Sakala Janula Samme by all employees etc. They are keen to know how TJAC involved common people in the statehood agitation for such a long duration.”

Prof Kodandaram said he would soon visit all the states where genuine movements have sprouted for separate statehood and extend support to the aspirations of the people.