Context
Recently the PM of India has launched year-long celebrations to remember the contributions of Alluri Sitarama Raju.
- The fourth of July marks his 125th birth anniversary.
Who was Alluri Sitarama Raju?
- Alluri Sitarama Raju was born in present day Andhra Pradesh on 4th July 1897 to Alluri Venkata Rama Raju and Surya Narayanamma into a humble middle-class family in a small village near the Coastal city of Visakhapatnam.
- He was a sanyasi and a strong believer in justice who raised his voice and waged many a battle against unlawful British policies.
- Alluri, a born rebel, became a sanyasi at the age of 18.
- Alluri Sitarama Raju was an Indian revolutionary who waged an armed campaign against British colonial rule in India.
Freedom Struggle
- Sitarama Raju, under the influence of Gandhi’s Non-cooperation movement, inspired the tribals to seek justice in the local panchayat courts and boycott the colonial courts.
- He made Adivasi areas in the Eastern Ghats and started to work for the Adivasis, who were living in abject poverty and being fleeced by police, forest and revenue officials, in ‘Manyam’ (forest area).
- He became involved in anti-British activities in response to the 1882 Madras Forest Act, which effectively restricted the free movement of Adivasis in their forest habitats and prevented them from practicing a traditional form of agriculture known as podu.
- As a result, in August 1922, he launched the Rampa Rebellion against the British.
- Alluri Sitarama Raju, along with 500 tribals, attacked the police stations of Chintapalli, Krishnadevipeta, and Rajavommangi and walked away with 26 police carbine rifles and 2,500 rounds of ammunition.
- His deep understanding of the forest terrain and skillful use of tribal war tactics made him a highly successful guerrilla warrior who struck terror in the hearts of the British.
- This gave him the title of "Manyam Veerudu" or the "Hero of Jungle".
- After putting up a massive effort for nearly two years, the British managed to capture Alluri in the forests of Chintapalli.
- He was then tied to a tree and executed by shooting on 7 May 1924 in the village of Koyyuru.
- The fierce revolutionary laid down his life for the freedom of the motherland at the young age of 27 years.
Recognition after independence
- The Independent Indian Government released a postal stamp in his honour at the village of Mogallu, considered by many to be his birthplace.
- In 2022, the Government of Andhra Pradesh carved out a new district named after Alluri from the erstwhile Visakhapatnam district.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 30-feet tall bronze statue of revolutionary fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju as part of his 125th birth anniversary celebrations at Pedda Amiram village near Bhimavaram in West Godavari district.
- Every year, the Government of Andhra Pradesh commemorates his birth date, the 4th of July, as a state festival.
