THE united forum of Telangana Mass and Social Organisations has come into being with more than 280 mass, social and class organisations in the state of Telangana with the aim of social justice and comprehensive development. In the new state of Telangana, people are having a lot of aspirations and are waiting for a solution to their problems. But, though the state is formed and rulers changed, the same policies are continuing. The tribulations of the people are as they were. In this background, to know the problems of the people, CPI(M) Telangana state committee had conducted a Mahajana Padayatra on the issues of social justice and comprehensive development. The Mahajana Padayatra covered 4,200 kilometres, in 1,520 villages in five months. A number of mass, social, caste, class organisations and trade unions participated and expressed solidarity with the padayatra. Everywhere people welcomed it and received it with high esteem.

This padayatra gave confidence to the people belonging to most backward classes. It showed them new ways. Aspiring for the unity of all working and exploited masses, it gave the slogan of laal-neel unity.

After the padayatra, after discussing with the key persons of many organisations, a meeting of mass and social organisations was held in Hyderabad at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. More than 180 organisations participated. Everybody said that, we are weak because of raising our voice separately and that raising one voice unitedly was needed. Especially many caste organisations told that nobody was listening to them and that a platform for speaking on their behalf was needed. Gonds, dalits of the agency area, nomad tribes and MBC people lamented that nobody was bothered about them and no one was listening to their woes. They were happy that this meeting was for thinking about them. They were of the firm opinion that a united platform needs to be floated.    

Telangana intellectuals also expressed such firm opinions. A meeting of the intellectuals was held in Hyderabad.  Hundreds of intellectuals participated in it. Attendance was more from the intellectuals who played an important role in the Telangana movement. In this meeting, Telangana Intellectuals Forum of 27 members with Prof I Thirumali as president and Prof PL Visweswar Rao as convener was formed. It decided to involve hundreds of intellectuals.

The united convention of mass and social organisations was held in Hyderabad on July 4, the death anniversary day of Doddi Komaraiah, the first martyr of the great Telangana Peasants Armed Struggle Movement. The response was unexpected. With more than 280 organisations, the united platform of Telangana Mass and Social Organisations was formed. A steering committee with 25 members, working committee with 86 members and a council with 360 members were constituted. Many more are coming forward to join.

The T MASS Forum has adopted the following declaration:

Telangana was formed with millions of hopes and aspirations. The people hoped that the new state would bring prosperity to all of them. But who got the benefit of Telangana’s formation after many struggles and who is enjoying the fruits, is known to all.  The distress of the people remains as it is. Problems also remain the same. Social, economic and political justice has turned into a dream. In the state of Telangana, honour killings are on the increase. Even today, caste oppression is continuing in very many forms. Attacks and repression on women continue to take place. The people belonging to oppressed sections of SC, ST, BC, MBC and minorities and women are looking for social justice. But the government is belying all their hopes. It is not properly implementing the SC, ST sub plans and plugging the loopholes in it. Sub plan funds are being diverted. Sub plan laws are not being made for BCs and minorities. Reservations for tribals and minorities in proportion to the increased population was assured but not implemented. Election promises remain promises only. Moreover repression is let loose if questioned. 

On the other side, in this country, dalits and minorities are being attacked and killed for taking food of their choice. Brahmanical, manuvaadi forces are attacking the food, dress, practices and habits of dalits, bahujans and minorities. RSS people who are running the country are taking the lives of the people through their private armies. An authoritarian state is in place.

Youth thought, with the coming of Telangana, jobs would come. But unemployment is increasing and there is no job creation. Education and health are in the grip of the corporate institutions. Government educational institutions are closing down. Agriculture is in crisis. Suicides of the farmers, instead of coming down, are increasing. Distress of the weavers remains the same. Minimum wages are not being implemented. Services of the contract employees are not been regularised. Corporate forces are exploiting the resources of Telangana and destroying the nature. Tribals are being forced out of podu lands. Corporates are being handed over hundreds of acres of land. Lands are being occupied through scams. Telangana as a whole has become the property of the rich. People are left with tribulations.

Today, it has become a necessary task to move together and struggle for social justice and comprehensive development. That is why the unity of laal and neel flags has become necessary. Hundreds of social, mass and class organisations have decided to move unitedly. They are joining the united platform of Telangana Mass and Social Organisations.

This declaration has given enthusiasm to many forces, individuals, organisations and communities. It has created the background for working towards the redressal of the problems of Telangana people. It shows the way for future struggles.