125th Birth Anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Who was Alluri Sitarama Raju?
• What are the Significant contributions of Alluri Sitarama Raju?
• News Summary: Closing Ceremony of 125th Birth Anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju

Why in news?

• The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the closing ceremony of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju at Hyderabad.

Who was Alluri Sitarama Raju?

About

• Alluri Sitarama Raju was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and a tribal leader who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. 
• He was born on July 4, 1897, in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, in present-day India. 
• He hailed from a tribal community called the Kondadora or Kondareddy community.

What are the Significant contributions of Alluri Sitarama Raju?

• Rampa Rebellion or Manyam Rebellion
  • As the government sought to secure forest lands, colonial rule threatened the tribals’ traditional podu (shifting) cultivation. 
    • The Forest Act of 1882 prohibited the collection of minor forest products like roots and leaves and tribal people were forced to work for the colonial government.
  • While the tribals were exploited by muttadars (village headmen hired by the colonial government to extract rent), new laws and systems threatened their very way of life.
  • Strong anti-government sentiment, shared by muttadars (dissatisfied with the British curtailment of their powers), erupted into armed resistance – the Rampa or Manyam Rebellion – in August 1922.
  • Several hundred tribals led by Raju attacked several police stations in the Godavari agency.
  • The rebellion, which coincided with Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, lasted until May 1924, when Raju, the charismatic ‘Manyam Veerudu’ or Hero of the Jungle, was finally apprehended and executed.
• Mobilised Tribal Communities
  • Raju united various tribal communities such as the Koyas, Savaras, and Chenchus, among others, and organized them against the British authorities. 
  • He aimed to instill a sense of self-esteem and pride among the tribes, encouraging them to resist colonial oppression.
• Guerrilla Warfare Tactics 
  • Raju adopted guerrilla warfare strategies, utilizing the natural terrain of the Eastern Ghats to his advantage. 
  • He employed hit-and-run tactics, ambushing British patrols, destroying infrastructure, and disrupting their supply lines.
• Promoted Indigenous Culture
  • He emphasized the preservation of tribal traditions, culture, and customs. 
  • He encouraged the use of indigenous methods and practices, promoting a sense of identity and unity among the tribal communities.
• Symbol of resistance 
  • Alluri Sitarama Raju emerged as a symbol of resistance against the British Raj. 
  • His leadership and fearlessness inspired numerous Indians, including the tribal communities, to join the fight for independence.

News Summary: Closing Ceremony of 125th Birth Anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju

• The President of India Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the Alluri Sitarama Raju at the closing ceremony of the celebrations of his 125th birth anniversary in Hyderabad.
  • On July 4, 2022, PM Modi had launched a year-long 125th birth anniversary celebration of legendary freedom fighter.
  • He had also unveiled a 30-foot bronze statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
• The President described Alluri Sitarama Raju’s struggle against injustice and exploitation as a proud chapter in India’s freedom struggle.
• She said that the character of Alluri Sitarama Raju is an example of uniting society without any discrimination based on caste and class.
• She dwelt on how Sitarama Raju worked with the tribal people of the Agency areas, in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, and united them to fight against the British.

Q1) What is Rampa or Manyam Rebellion?

The Rampa Rebellion, also known as the Manyam Rebellion or Manyam Veerudu Rebellion, was an armed uprising that took place in the Rampa region of the present-day East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh, India, during the late 1920s. The rebellion was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju, a tribal leader and freedom fighter. The rebellion was a response to the oppressive policies and exploitative practices of the British colonial administration, particularly regarding forest laws and taxes imposed on the tribal communities in the region. Alluri Sitarama Raju, who belonged to the Kondadora tribe, rallied the local tribal communities and organized a resistance movement against the British.

Q2) What are guerrilla warfare strategies?

Guerrilla warfare refers to a type of unconventional warfare in which a smaller, less organized force uses tactics such as ambushes, sabotage, hit-and-run attacks, and other irregular methods to combat a larger, more conventional military or occupying force. Guerrilla warfare strategies are designed to maximize the strengths of the guerrilla force while exploiting the weaknesses of the opponent.

Source: Real tribute will be to imbibe values of Alluri Sitarama Raju, says President Murmu | PIB | Indian Express