Communists had played a pioneering role in the struggle for the formation of linguistic states. Apart from struggle for the formation of Vishalandhra, Aikya Kerala, many communist and left leaders played an important role in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement (commonly known as the Samiti) that led the struggle for the formation of Maharashtra. On the other hand, RSS and its head, Golwalkar opposed the formation of linguistic states.

THE first general elections, with universal adult franchise, were held in 1952. Immediately after the conclusion of its all India conference, though hampered by severe limitations, the Communist Party went into preparations for these elections. Most of the members of the Central Committee of the Party could not campaign in these elections as the widespread terror perpetuated by the military and police forces in the strongholds of the Communist Party, continued. Thousands of Party leaders and members were in prison and the Congress government refused to release them.

IN the early 1940s, the Communist Party was present mainly among a few urban non-tribal people in Tripura. During this period, after the conclusion of Second World War, twelve educated tribal youth came together to form Janasiksha Samiti (JSS, Mass Literacy Association) on December 27, 1945. The objective of the JSS was to not only campaign for literacy, but also to struggle against exploitation, various social ills and superstitions prevalent in the tribal society. It also took up the issue of black marketing and hoarding that were rampant during the war years.

THE Union government launched ‘police action’ on September 13, 1948, on Hyderabad State to force the Nizam to accede to the Indian Union and to suppress the spreading Telangana peasant movement. Except in a few pockets, the Nizam’s army did not resist the Union forces and surrendered themselves. The Nizam himself, surrendered within five days – on September 18, 1948.People and armed squads utilised the opportunity of the ‘police action’ and attacked many razakar and police camps, destroyed them and seized arms and other material.

THE Telangana People’s Armed Struggle is one of the glorious phases in the freedom struggle of our country and also of the communist movement. The struggle, which started against the feudal exploitation of the Nizam rule in the erstwhile Hyderabad State in 1946, continued till 1951.