Question
Explain the circumstances that led to the formation of Andhara Pardesh.
Solution
In October of 1952, a veteran Gandhian named Potti Sriramulu had gone on a hunger fast demanding the formation of Andhra state to protect the interests of Telugu speakers. As the fast went on, it attracted much support. Hartals and bandhs were observed in many towns.
On 15 December 1952, fifty-eight days into his fast, Potti Sriramulu died. As a newspaper put it, “the news of the passing away of Sriramulu engulfed entire Andhra inchaos”. The protests were so widespread and intense that the central government was forced to give in to the demand.
Thus, on 1 October 1953, the new state of Andhra Pradesh came into being.
