Alluri, a proud chapter: President Droupadi Murmu

Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu said that revolutionary freedom fighter Alluri Sitaramaraju’s struggle against injustice and exploitation is a proud chapter of the Indian freedom struggle. She said while speaking at an event in the city on Tuesday that all people, especially younger generation, should be made aware of his patriotism and courage.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Union minister and now named state BJP president G. Kishan Reddy, state ministers and senior officials were present.

Murmu said that the life-character of Sitarama Raju was an example of uniting society without any discrimination based on caste and class. She noted that he was adopted by tribal society completely and he made the happiness and sorrow of the tribal society his own.

Delivering her speech in Telugu, the Governor said that when India was celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75th anniversary of Independence, the celebration of 125th birth anniversary of Sitrarama Raju with various events was a very fitting tribute.

"As we all know, when innocent tribals of Vishakhapatnam and East Godavari districts were exploited and tortured by the British imposing taxes on forest produce and various unlawful policies, he gave strength to these powerless and voiceless tribes. He united various tribes, taught them guerrilla warfare and trained them to fight back against the British," she said.

Kishan Reddy said that Sitarama Raju ignited the spirit during the freedom struggle for self-rule. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to hold the birth anniversary celebrations as part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.

Rao said that he was inspired by listening to the songs written on Alluri during the Telangana statehood agitation.

The screening of documentaries on the revolutionary leader created a buzz of patriotism  among the audiences at the venue and it reverberated with the slogans of ‘Jai Bharat’.