Telangana CM Revanth Reddy pays tribute to activist, statehood proponent Gaddar in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, August 9
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy paid tribute to Telugu poet and activist Gaddar on his third memorial day on Sunday.
The Chief Minister attended a commemorative programme organised by the Gaddar Foundation in Hyderabad, which brought together a large number of people to remember Gaddar's ideas, his lifelong commitment to Telangana and the challenges facing the present generation.
According to the Telangana Chief Minister's Office (CMO), revolutionary Telugu poet and activist Gaddar dedicated his life to Telangana and the rights and dignity of oppressed communities, alleging that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) failed to give him the respect he deserved. The CMO stated that Gaddar's legacy continues to raise important questions about the gap between political rhetoric and a genuine commitment to social justice.
The political debate in Telangana has further intensified following the recent visit of Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Questions regarding the earlier promise of appointing a Dalit Chief Minister have once again come into focus, with opponents questioning the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leadership's track record on Dalit empowerment.
The controversy has also raised questions surrounding political outreach to Dalit leaders, debating whether such engagements are driven by genuine respect or electoral calculations.
According to Telangana CMO, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is giving Gaddar's legacy a place in public life and governance, with a stated emphasis on social justice, welfare, and dignity for disadvantaged communities. According to Telangana CMO, remembering Gaddar is not merely about paying tribute to the past, but carrying forward the core values of equality, self-respect, and social justice that shaped his life and the aspirations of the separate statehood movement.
Gaddar (Gummadi Vittal Rao) was a revolutionary Telugu poet, folk singer, and activist. Born on January 31, 1949, in Toopran, Medak district, he extensively used music and lyrics to fight against caste oppression, landlord tyranny, and social injustice, playing a massive role in the separate Telangana statehood struggle.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The article raises a valid point about the difference between political rhetoric and actual commitment. KCR and KTR had years to honor Gaddar properly, and now the Congress is trying to gain political mileage from his legacy. It's sad how these leaders use our heroes for their own benefit.
The Dalit CM promise is a serious issue. Prakash Ambedkar's visit has brought it back into focus. Both BRS and Congress have been making promises for years without delivering. It's time to stop using Dalit votes as a tool and actually empower Dalit leaders in real positions of power.
Gaddar's songs were the heartbeat of the Telangana movement. His words gave courage to thousands of people. I'm glad Revanth Reddy is at least acknowledging this. But we need more than just memorials - we need to keep the spirit of his struggle alive in our daily politics.
It's interesting how politicians suddenly remember our heroes when it suits their narrative. Gaddar represented the revolutionary spirit, not just a photo-op for the Chief Minister. The real tribute would be implementing land reforms and ensuring dignity for all communities, not just speeches.
The BRS track record on Dalit empowerment speaks for itself. They had the chance to prove their commitment and they failed. Now they're crying foul when others point it out. Gaddar would have wanted us to question all leaders equally, not just one party.
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