HYDERABAD: Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passage of the Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha on February 20, 2014, a decisive step that led to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the creation of Telangana as an independent state.
The bill was first introduced for discussion in the Lok Sabha on February 18, 2014. During the session, the live telecast of proceedings was suspended, and the bill was passed through a voice vote. Two days later, it was presented in the Rajya Sabha by then Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley extended his support, and when Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien announced, “The bill is passed,” it marked a historic moment in the long-standing demand for Telangana’s statehood.
Following the Parliament’s approval, then-President Pranab Mukherjee signed the bill into law on March 1, 2014. Telangana was officially formed on June 2, 2014, a date now observed as Telangana Formation Day.
On this occasion, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party recalled the significance of the bill’s passage, emphasizing that it was the culmination of a six-decade-long struggle. The party described the moment as a recognition of the sacrifices made by the people of Telangana. BRS chief K. Chandrashekar Rao, who led the movement for statehood, reflected on the occasion, stating that the approval of the bill was a testament to peaceful political efforts and the realization of the long-cherished aspiration of Telangana’s people.
