Analysis

Aman Gupta

New Delhi

Prime Minister unveiled a 30-feet tall bronze statue of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju on the occasion of his 125^th birth anniversary celebration in the in Bhimavaram district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

Who was Alluri Sitarama Raju?

Born in 1897, Alluri Sitarama Raju was a freedom fighter who launched the Rampa Rebellion to fight against the British government’s Madras Forest Act, 1882. He led a militant guerrilla movement in Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh with the local tribal support. He was inspired by the ‘greatness’ of Mahatma Gandhi but believed India could only be liberated through force. He led a two-year armed struggle against the British and was ultimately shot dead in 1924. He was honoured with the title “Manyam Veerudu” or the Hero of the Jungle. He also has a district in Andhra Pradesh named after him.

What was the Madras Forest Act, 1882 and why did the Rampa rebellion take place?

Madras Forest Act, 1882 closed access to large forest areas which prevented people from entering the forest and practicing their traditional agricultural system. The British government wanted to use the woods in the forest for the purpose of building roads and railways. The Rampa Rebellion broke out when the government of the day started forcing the tribal population to contribute begar (Forced unpaid labour) for building roads and railways.

How did the Prime Minister pay tribute to Alluri Raju?

Prime Minister termed Raju as a “symbol of is a symbol of India’s culture, tribal identity, valour, ideals and values”. He added that ‘from the birth of Sitaram Raju Garu to his sacrifice, his life journey is an inspiration to all of us. He dedicated his life for the rights of tribal society, for their happiness and sorrow and for the freedom of the country’.

He noted that freedom struggle is not just a history of a few years, few areas, or of a few people but a history of tenacity and sacrifices of every nook and corner of India.

What other plans did the PM announce to celebrate Alluri Raju’s legacy?

Linking the 125th birth anniversary of Alluri Raju and 100 years of Rampa Rebellion to the Azadi ka amrit Mahotsav, Prime Minister announced that both these events will be celebrated throughout the year. He said that the Government has taken a pledge of making everyone in the country aware about the history and inspirations behind the Freedom Struggle.

He further informed that the Restoration of Alluri Raju’s birth place at Pandrangi, renovation of Chintapalli police station and construction of Alluri Dhyana Mandir at Mogallu are symbols of the spirit of Amrit Mahotsav.