HYDERABAD, JULY 04, 2025: The 128th birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju Garu were celebrated grandly here in Hyderabad’s Shilpa Kala Vedhika on Friday.
It was marked by the speeches of the chief guest, Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister of India, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Ji, and Hon’ble Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy.
Present were also notable guests, such as former Union Minister Sri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Bh Srinivas Varma, A.S.N. Raju and other luminaries belonging to the Kshatriya community of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath Singh said: Within every Indian, there is a hero. To not die at the hands of a British soldier, Alluri Sitarama Raju shot himself with a bullet. What can be a more memorable death than that action? When we stand for truth, we need not fear anybody, especially British or any other foreign force, like in the case of Alluri Sitarama Raju.
He fought and surprised British rulers along with his fellow fighters through guerrilla warfare, though they did not have modern weapons in a tribal area. British rulers had no answer for that. Alluri Sitarama Raju is also remembered today for his fight to protect tribal rights. He wanted them to be empowered and self-sufficient> He wanted the Tribals to join the mainstream.
Alluri also fought for unity among all castes in India so that our country could be much greater. As a tribal leader, his legacy throughout the country is unforgettable. Our government has also emulated his ideals by making a tribal woman, Draupadi Murmu, the first President of India.
“I believe that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will set an example by empowering tribal people”, Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishen Reddy Garu, said, it was sad that even as we celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Alluri Sitaramaraju. When I first narrated the heroics of Alluri, he was astonished and said that he would himself honour the brave hero. That is the legacy that we Telugus, belonging to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, should be proud of.
I sincerely wish that we put aside our differences to salute and honour our great hero, Alluri Sitaramaraju, who made all the Telugus proud. Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, though it has been a century since the great hero left us, it is heart-warming that we celebrate the 128th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitaramaraju.
Lord Krishna said that a Kshatriya was one who is ready to lay down his life for his land. He is brave, courageous, and always willing to fight to protect his motherland. This was stated during the Mahabharata war when he was urging King Arjuna not to forget his duty and take on the Kaurava army.
We should remember all the brave fighters who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our motherland. With this, I thank you all for inviting me to speak on this memorable occasion. Following these speeches, the ceremony came to a grand end. Other notable guests present at the occasion were Sri Alluri Sitarama Raju, Awardee Dr. A.V.S. Raju, Chairman of NCC, and other prominent figures of Kshatriya community belonging to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
