The demand to make Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, the second capital of the country has been under discussion on various occasions. The demand for ‘Hyderabad Second Capital’ has been raised by various individuals and groups over the years. This idea is not new and was first proposed by the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in his book "Thoughts on Linguistic States". Now, with the winter session of Parliament underway, this demand has come to the fore again.
Seasonal Move of Parliament to South!
YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumurthy has raised the demand to hold one session of the Parliament sessions in the South India. His argument is that Parliament sessions should be held in the South due to adverse weather conditions in the national capital Delhi. He also wrote a direct letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a week ago in this regard. It is a well-known fact that Delhi is suffering from severe heat in summer and severe cold in winter, as well as air pollution. The unpredictable weather conditions in Delhi affect the performance of the members of Parliament. Gurumurthy brought this issue to the attention of Prime Minister Modi.
Why the Concept of South?!
The demand to hold Parliament sessions in South India started in the 1950s. In 1968, independent MP Prakashvir Shastri also introduced a private member's bill on this issue. At that time, a committee of 18 MPs was formed and studied it. The then Kerala and Mysore governments came forward to provide basic facilities for the parliamentary sessions, said YSRCP MP Gurumurthy. However, he recalled that the government rejected this proposal after examining the feasibility at that time.
In olden days, all the government work was done on paper only. Now, it is not paper work. Computer systems have become available. Gurumurthy said that any file belonging to the government can be checked from anywhere and cleared from anywhere. He also suggested that by holding parliamentary sessions in the south, not only can the members of Parliament be protected from the adverse atmosphere of Delhi, but also national unity can be enhanced.
Why Hyderabad Being Mentioned?
The discussion about Hyderabad being the second capital of the country came in the early days of independence. This proposal was brought to the fore by the architect of the Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar himself. In his book ‘Thoughts of Linguistic States’, Ambedkar proposed to make Hyderabad the second capital. He also gave some strong reasons for this. Ambedkar was of the opinion that Hyderabad city is far from the borders of India’s enemies Pakistan and China, which makes it an ideal place for the country’s security. On the other hand, Hyderabad city is very suitable for all seasons. The weather conditions will not be so adverse in any season. That is why the issue of declaring Hyderabad as the second capital of the country came up for discussion during the bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh state.
What Ambedkar’s Grandson Say…
Dr BR Ambedkar’s grandson Prakash Ambedkar, who attended the unveiling of the tallest Ambedkar statue in Hyderabad, had raised this issue when the BRS was in power in the past. This discussion also took place when he recalled Ambedkar’s proposal of Hyderabad as the ‘Second Capital’. Later, former Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao also made a statement that he was confident that Hyderabad would one day become the second capital of the country. Thus, the intermittent discussion of making Hyderabad the second capital has always been alive.
Shashi Tharoor Sparks Debate Again!
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has made a comment that has given impetus to the demand for a second capital. He asked whether Delhi should continue as the national capital. This has opened a new debate. This time, a majority of netizens are expressing the opinion that instead of Hyderabad being the second capital, it would be better to make it the ‘National Capital’.
In the wake of the alarming air pollution in the capital Delhi, Shashi Tharoor tweet sparks debate. 'The situation in Delhi is becoming more dangerous than Dhaka, the second most polluted city in the world. Delhi has now become the most polluted city in the world. Hazardous pollutants have increased fourfold here. This city is uninhabitable between November and January. Should Delhi continue as the national capital amid such developments?' Shashi Tharoor asked. These comments have led to a debate on the national capital. The debate is going on in full swing about which city should be the national capital other than Delhi. Majority of netizens say that Hyderabad would be better. They give many reasons for this.
What is the Stand of Political Parties?
BRS, which has been in power for ten years after the formation of Telangana state, the Congress, which is currently in power, and the MIM parties are not willing to accept the proposal to make Hyderabad the second capital. They fear that if that happens, Hyderabad will become a Union Territory. There are suspicions that Hyderabad will then goes under the control of the Centre completely.
Key Reasons Cited for Hyderabad Second Capital Demand…
· Strategic Location: Hyderabad is geographically well-positioned, being equidistant from various parts of the country.
· Infrastructure: The city boasts a well-developed infrastructure, including transportation, communication, and educational institutions.
· Historical Significance: Hyderabad has a rich history and cultural heritage, making it a suitable choice for a national capital.
· Administrative Efficiency: Having a second capital could alleviate the administrative burden on Delhi and improve governance.
Challenges & Concerns Associated…
· Political Implications: Such a move could have significant political implications, particularly for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
· Resource Allocation: Establishing a second capital would require substantial investment and resources.
· Administrative Complexity: Managing two capitals could pose administrative challenges.
Ultimately, the decision to make Hyderabad the second capital of India rests with the central government and requires careful consideration of various factors. While the idea has gained traction, it remains to be seen whether it will materialize in the near future.
