Vijayawada: With Samaikyandhra protagonists declaring their intention of launching an intense agitation against the Centre’s decision to bifurcate AP from December 9, or the day after the Telangana bill is tabled in the state Assembly, lakhs of parents and students in the district are a worried lot.
The parents are well too aware the effect the bandhs and closure of schools had on students during the last round of protests.
Soon after the Union Cabinet approved the Draft Bill regarding division of the state on Thursday, APNGOs and political parties called a bandh due to which schools remained closed on Friday. Though some political parties also called a bandh on Saturday, its impact was limited.
However, a majority of the private schools in the city and in rural areas declared an unofficial holiday as the buses were being used to transport people for the CM’s public meeting.
Earlier, the Samaikyandhra movement that started in August, just before the half-yearly examinations, saw students, right from primary school to post graduation, being away from the classrooms for over a month, thus losing valuable time and their syllabus schedule going haywire.
After the last agitation ended, the students were asked to attend school even on Sundays till March 2014, and holidays for important festivals like Christmas and Sankranti were reduced to only a day each by the government, to make up for the time lost.
“We are coping with the burden increased due to the hectic schedule and trying to complete the syllabus. Extra classes are being conducted each day. If another series of bandhs is announced at such a crucial stage, students will suffer a lot for sure,” said Saritha, a teacher.
At a recent meeting, Students’ JAC representatives from 13 Seemandhra districts and university representatives promised the Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Samiti and the APNGOs that they would extend their support to another round of agitations by shutting down educational institutions and getting students to hit the roads, protesting bifurcation.
“My children are already suffering, having to attend extra classes in the morning and evening. Students must be exempted from bandhs hereafter, or else their studies will suffer and they will lose, not politicians or employees,” said K. Venkata Ramanarao, a parent.
Next: Protests planned for today
Protests planned for today
Vijayawada: A nine-km long human chain would be formed around Indrakeeladri hill on Monday, declared “Betrayal Day” by Samaikyandhra protagonists, in protest against the Union Cabinet’s nod to the T-Bill.
Members of Poura Samaka Vedika, APNGOs and activists associated with many other organisations, and students will take part in the protest.
Samaikyandhra JAC convener P.V. Rama Rao told the media here on Sunday that the UPA government has taken a unilateral decision to divide the state, disregarding the wishes of the Seemandhra people. “This is against democratic norms,” he said.
“To protest the ‘divide and rule’ policy adopted by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, a huge human chain would be formed with students, employees and other Samaikyandhra protagonists,” he said.
Rao added that the Centre, instead of trying to resolve several issues between the two regions, was bent upon dividing the state for political gains.
He called upon Samaikyandhra supporters to come forward and take part in the protest.
