Now the Telangana government declared that his birthday will be celebrated officially on 27th september, 2021, it is the right step forward, but that is not enough to remember this towering personality.
Sangisetti Srinivas
He lost all his wealth and health to the cause of separate telangana, which he dreamt of over 43 years. The towering personality in state politics over half a decade faded out in the history books, people forgetting his uncompromising fight against Andhra rulers. He is none other than Konda Laxmana Bapuji, who hails from weavers community, and fought for the rights of downtrodden and separate statehood. Bapuji was elected as MLA from Asifabad in his native Adilabad district in the first general election in 1952. Prior to this election he was active in the freedom movement. Although he belongs to the congress party, he argued the Chityala (Chakali) Ilamma case in the court and secured her release from the jail. Ilamma was an agricultural labour and fought against the tyranny of landlords, she is a sympathizer of Communist party. In Spite of the ideological difference he personally took care in filing the case. This shows heartfulness towards Bahujans, and integrity of Bapuji, the epithet people gave him for the service rendered in educating the masses. Bapuji was also in the forefront in fighting against the Niam rule, he along with his pupils made a futile bomb attack on Nizam Osman ali khan.
Bapuji not only tried to bridge the gulf between Dalits and Backward classes, but also made it a point that all the BCs should fight unitedly to achieve their rights and due share in all sectors.
In recognition of the services of Bapuji the Madiga reservation porata samithi leader Manda Krishna Madiga demanded openly that he should be made Chief Minister of Telangana, almost all the downtrodden leaders endorsed this idea. One should keep in notice that the Bapuji was instrumental in making Damodaram Sanjivayya the first ever dalit chief minister In india to the state of Andhra Pradesh. Bapuji mustered the strength to revolt against the then chief minister Neelam sanjeeva reddy in faour of a dalit chief minister. Sanjivayya was Andhra Pradesh’s second chief minister in 1960. Bapuji not only tried to bridge the gulf between Dalits and Backward classes, but also made it a point that all the BCs should fight unitedly to achieve their rights and due share in all sectors.
He is in the forefront in the backward class movement in India. He along with his wife Dr. Konda Shakuntala helped the first backward classes commission Known as Kaka Kalelkar committee, in ensuring justice to the Other backward classes. The couple along with committee members toured the state of Hyderabad and collected the data which substantiated their demands. He along with Gouthu Latchanna, Bojjam Narsimulu and other eminent persons, toured all over India and united various backward class leaders and associations to fight unitedly to uplift the backward communities. He organized and addressed the many BC meetings especially at Delhi, Bangalore. Ageism Veerappa minister in the Chennareddy, Anjaiah, Jalagam Vengal raos’ cabinet was a close follower of Konda Laxman Bapuji. Veerappa conducted a backward class meeting in 1977 and brought out a souvenir highlighting the BCs problems and their solutions. All this was done with the backing and full support of Bapuji, which is acknowledged in the souvenir.
He is in the forefront in the backward class movement in India. He along with his wife Dr. Konda Shakuntala helped the first backward classes commission Known as Kaka Kalelkar committee, in ensuring justice to the Other backward classes.
This generous person in all his political career stood like a rock behind the Backward classes. All the backward class commissions appointed by Andhra Pradesh government took his help and services in preparing the report. At the National level he participated and shaped handloom development activities, which earned great respect from the weaver community.
Bapuji’s love for libraries and culture was very well known, a library in memory of his son who died in an air mishap named Umesh Chandra library was established in Padhamashali Bhavan, on which he laid foundations in the 1940s. He promised to donate to build an archeology museum in 2009, but due to the then government’s lackluster approach, it has not materialised. Even the Telangana jagruthi also received blessings of Bapuji.
In the year 2000 he hosted the launching of TRS party at his residence, for that he faced the wrath of the then Chief minister N. Chandra babu Naidu, and lost the building at Tank bund, and he remained homeless till his death in 2012.
In the separate Telangana movement he was prominent in 1969 and as well as in later agitation. In 1969 he was the first minister to resign from the Kasu Bramanadna Reddy ministry in favour of a separate state. This move took the movement to peak level. In the year 2000 he hosted the launching of TRS party at his residence, for that he faced the wrath of the then Chief minister N. Chandra babu Naidu, and lost the building at Tank bund, and he remained homeless till his death in 2012.
Bapuji made a last ditch effort by organizing a Satyagraha in favour of Telangana in 2009 at Delhi, at the ripe age of 94. Separate Telangana is his lifetime ambition, for that he did not even care about his health and wealth. On the strong foundations laid down by the Bapuji, the second stage Telangana movement gained momentum. On the lines of Bapuji, resignation for elected posts made part of the movement, this yielded rich dividends to the now ruling TRS party.
The government should make it compulsory that all the state government offices should conduct meetings and pay homage on the lines of C.N. Annadurai’s birthday which is celebrated in right earnest in Tamilnadu.
Now the Telangana government declared that his birthday will be celebrated officially on 27th september, 2021, it is the right step forward, but that is not enough to remember this towering personality. The government should make it compulsory that all the state government offices should conduct meetings and pay homage on the lines of C.N. Annadurai’s birthday which is celebrated in right earnest in Tamilnadu. His biography should be made part of the school and college syllabus. The upcoming Telangana martyrs memorial building at the tankbund may be named after the Konda Laxman Bapuji, because his residence was very close to it, moreover he was staunch supporter of Telangana cause, till his last breath. As promised by the ruling party his statue should be installed at the tankbund.