CCSAP Report - Ministry of Home Affairs

Rayalaseema: The Muslim community in Rayalaseema is in favour of a united
state. They believe that they should live together and share the resources of the
state equitably. Creation of a separate state would put them at a disadvantage in
utilization of river waters and other benefits. Some have represented that if a
division of the state is inevitable, then Rayalaseema should be carved out as a
separate state.
Coastal Andhra: The Muslim representations from coastal Andhra reveal a
preference for united AP as according to them many Muslims are working in
Hyderabad. They have developed an economic as well as an emotional
attachment with Hyderabad. They argue that Telangana region is not backward
as it has more infrastructure, industries and jobs. The creation of a separate
state would deny them the benefits that exist in Telangana, particularly in
Hyderabad. One Muslim forum however sided with the demand for a separate
Andhra.
Hyderabad: Muslims constitute 41% of the population of the city of Hyderabad
making the city‟s complexion somewhat different from the surrounding areas. As
discussed in the chapter on Hyderabad, most Muslims of the city identify with the
AIMIM as their political representative. They identify primarily with the city and
not necessarily with the region of Telangana. Most of them reside in the old city
and do not speak Telugu. Residents of Muslims mohallas were found to be the
most disengaged from the Telangana issue. However, the concentration of
Muslims in Hyderabad and their homogenous distribution in Rayalaseema districts
can explain their preferences which are mainly articulated by political groups and
in Hyderabad city by the party. AIMIM prefers United Andhra to Telangana state;
in case of an inevitable separation, a Rayala-Telangana state is preferred with
Hyderabad as the capital. In a Telangana state, the Muslim population would
account for about 12.5 percent, but when Hyderabad is excluded, this goes down
to 8.4 percent. In a Rayala-Telangana state, Muslims would remain with similar
strength at about 12.5%, whereas in United Andhra, Muslims are just above 9%.
Pragmatic political expediencies could be the reasons for these preferences of
383