Naxalism, the Maoist-inspired insurgency that spread across India, found one of its earliest and most significant strongholds in Telangana. Emerging as a radical response to entrenched socio-economic inequalities, landlessness, and the oppression of marginalized communities, the movement sought to challenge the state through armed struggle. In Telangana, its ideology drew from Marxist-Leninist-Maoist thought, while remaining deeply rooted in the region’s distinct historical, social, and agrarian conditions.
The movement was sustained not only through armed actions but also through cultural mobilization—poetry, songs, and intellectual activism played a key role in spreading its ideas. Over decades, it caused considerable loss of life, displacement, and fear among rural populations.
Undivided Andhra Pradesh served as a cradle for India’s radical left, but in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Naxalism has long since faded into the background. Nevertheless, reports of security forces confronting, arresting, or facilitating the surrender of Telugu-origin Maoists in other states continue to highlight the region’s pivotal role in the Indian Maoist movement. Many of the movement’s most determined, feared, and influential revolutionaries originated from this area.
According to a Union Ministry of Home Affairs release in April 2025, Bhadradri Kothagudem in Telangana and Alluri Sitharamaraju in Andhra Pradesh are the only districts where Left Wing Extremism still persists in the two states. Maoists, however, continue to make news through encounters and surrenders: in December 2025, seven Maoists were killed in an encounter in Mulugu, while in February and March 2025, 35 Maoists from Chhattisgarh surrendered in Bhadrachalam, Kothagudem, and Mulugu. In March 2025, 13 Maoists surrendered in Alluri Sitharamaraju, Andhra Pradesh.
Socio-Economic Background
Telangana’s rural areas were dominated by landlords, while peasants and tribals were marginalized. Bonded labor, land disputes, and lack of government intervention created fertile ground for rebellion. The Telangana Rebellion (1946–1951) against the Nizam set a historical precedent for armed revolt.
Student and Intellectual Roots (Late 1960s – Early 1970s)
- CKM College, Warangal and other institutions became hubs for Marxist-Maoist ideology.
- Educated leaders, students, and teachers organized study groups, recruited youth, and trained villagers in ideological and organizational methods.
- Cultural figures like Varavara Rao and Gaddar began writing poetry and singing revolutionary songs, spreading awareness among illiterate villagers.
Key Leaders in Telangana
Armed Leaders
- Kura Nageshwar Rao – Adilabad; organized forest squads and village committees.
- Chalasani Lakshminarayana – Warangal & Karimnagar; mobilized peasants and connected urban activists with villages.
- Bandaru Venkat Rao – village mobilization and propaganda.
- Kondapalli Seetharamaiah – led guerrilla units, especially among Adivasis.
- Local tribal leaders – helped in forest operations and recruitment.
Cultural and Ideological Leaders
- Varavara Rao – poet and activist, inspired students and villagers through revolutionary literature.
- Gaddar – folk singer, spread ideology through songs and street performances.
- Other writers, teachers, and activists – provided ideological and moral support.
Chronology of Key Events
- Late 1960s – Early 1970s: Student activism in Warangal, Karimnagar, and Hyderabad; ideological discussions and recruitment.
- Srikakulam and Early Uprisings (1967–1970): First significant armed actions in Telangana’s influence zones.
- Early 1970s: Formation of initial guerrilla squads in Adilabad, Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda. Early village committees created.
- Late 1970s: Expansion into forests; recruitment of tribals and peasants; attacks on landlords and police outposts.
- 1981 – Indravelli Massacre: Police fired on thousands of Adivasis protesting land rights in Adilabad; over 60–100 killed, hundreds injured. Triggered surge in Naxalite recruitment.
- 1980s: Village takeovers in multiple districts; planting of red flags and enforcement of revolutionary justice. Naxalites began executing suspected informers, creating fear among villagers. Police counter-insurgency operations intensified, with dozens of casualties on both sides.
- Mid-1980s: Cultural mobilization peaks; songs by Gaddar and poems by Varavara Rao inspire villagers and student activists.
- Late 1980s: Escalation of violence; both Naxalites and police engage in reprisals; execution of informers by Naxalites becomes more frequent.
- 1990s: Peace talks and partial surrenders; factionalism among Naxalite groups emerges; continued small-scale violence and village-level clashes.
- 2000s: Intensified counter-insurgency operations; weakening leadership and cadre networks; occasional surrenders and peace initiatives.
- 2010s: Mass surrenders, government development programs, and decline of operational strength; Naxalism becomes largely dormant in Telangana.
How Naxalism Expanded in Telangana
The movement initially started in the remote, forested, and hilly regions of Telangana where government reach was limited. Expansion occurred due to:Local Leadership: Charismatic leaders emerged from local communities, mobilizing peasants around issues of land, labor rights, and anti-feudalism.
Guerrilla Tactics: Naxalites established small armed squads operating in rural and forested areas, using hit-and-run tactics and ambushes.
Parallel Governance: In some areas, the movement set up village committees to administer justice, enforce land redistribution, and provide protection against landlords.
Cross-border Influence: Connections with other Naxalite groups in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh allowed sharing of strategies, arms, and ideological training.
Government Reaction
The Andhra Pradesh government, in coordination with central authorities, reacted with a mix of repression and negotiation:Police Operations: Extensive counter-insurgency campaigns, cordon-and-search operations, and intelligence-led arrests were undertaken.
Military/Paramilitary Involvement: Specialized anti-Naxal units were deployed in hot-spot areas to curb insurgent activities.
Legislation: Anti-terrorist laws and preventive detention acts were used to suppress Naxalite cadres.
Peace Initiatives: On several occasions, the government attempted peace talks and amnesty programs to encourage surrender, but mistrust and sporadic violence often disrupted negotiations.
Impact on Villagers
- Forced displacement and migration from conflict zones.
- Loss of livelihoods, disruption of agriculture, trade, and education.
- Psychological trauma due to fear of reprisals from both Naxalites and police.
- Communities forced into moral dilemmas over supporting either side.
- Some villagers gave food and shelter out of fear or sympathy, which led to police harassment or attacks.
Decline of Naxalism
- Targeted law enforcement operations dismantled key leadership and forest units.
- Government initiatives addressed grievances like land, employment, and infrastructure.
- Internal factionalism and reduced discipline weakened Naxalite operations.
- Villagers gradually withdrew support, seeking stability and safety.
Relocation of Telangana Maoist Leaders to Chhattisgarh
Strategic Shift to Dandakaranya Region
As the Naxalite movement in Telangana faced increased pressure from intensified security operations, many leaders and cadres relocated to the Dandakaranya region, covering parts of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The dense forests and rugged terrain provided a conducive environment for guerrilla warfare and continued insurgent operations.
Key Leaders and Their Roles
- Mallojula Venugopal Rao (Bhupathi): A prominent leader from Telangana, Bhupathi played a significant role in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, providing strategic leadership for operations in the region.
- Ashanna (Rupesh): From Warangal, Ashanna was involved in several high-profile assassinations and served as a key figure in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee.
- Katta Ramachandra Reddy (Usendi Vikalp) and Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy (Kosa): Both from Karimnagar district, central committee members of CPI (Maoist), active in Abujhmad, Chhattisgarh until killed in encounters.
- Madvi Hidma: Top military strategist in Dandakaranya, reportedly relocated across states, continuing operational leadership.
Mass Surrenders and Decline of Active Operations
The relocation of these leaders coincided with a series of mass surrenders in Chhattisgarh. For example, over 208 Maoists, including 110 women, surrendered in Jagdalpur in October 2025, along with a significant cache of weapons.
Challenges and Internal Divisions
Despite the strategic shift, internal divisions emerged within Maoist ranks. Bhupathi's surrender revealed some factions were aligned with Telangana politicians, operating under covert arrangements and resisting moves toward peace, fearing destabilization of their networks.
Naxalism in India: A Broader Perspective
Naxalism, also known as the Maoist insurgency, is a far-left radical communist movement in India that emerged in the late 1960s. It began as a peasant uprising in the village of Naxalbari in West Bengal in 1967, led by educated youth inspired by Maoist ideology. The movement aimed to overthrow feudal landlords, redistribute land, and address socioeconomic inequalities faced by tribal and marginalized communities.
Over the decades, Naxalism spread to several Indian states, particularly in central and eastern India, forming the so-called “Red Corridor.” Its activities range from armed guerrilla warfare against security forces to mobilizing local populations for land rights and social justice. The movement has been marked by periods of intense violence, government crackdowns, and sporadic attempts at peace negotiations.
At its peak, Naxalism threatened large areas of rural India, challenging state authority and prompting the formation of specialized anti-Maoist forces such as the Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While the movement has declined in recent years due to coordinated government action and surrenders of key leaders, it remains a significant part of India’s internal security and social history.
Nationwide Decline
The Maoist insurgency in India has seen a significant decline over the years. In the early 2000s, Naxalites controlled nearly one-third of India's mineral-rich tribal areas, known as the Red Corridor. However, by 2024, the number of districts where Maoists wield significant influence had decreased from 126 in 2013 to just 38.
Counter-Insurgency Operations
The decline in Maoist activities is attributed to intensified counter-insurgency operations. In 2023, within a single year, 380 Naxalites were killed, 1,194 were arrested, and 1,045 surrendered.
Surrenders and Ideological Shifts
The surrender of prominent leaders, such as Mallojula Venugopal Rao, is seen as indicative of a broader ideological collapse within the movement. These developments suggest a shift in the Maoist insurgency, with increasing numbers of cadres reconsidering their involvement and opting for reintegration into society.
Conclusion
The Naxal movement in Telangana evolved from disciplined student-led activism to forest-based armed insurgency, combined with cultural mobilization through poetry, songs, and street performances. Major events like the Indravelli Massacre, village takeovers, executions of suspected informers, and cycles of police-Naxalite reprisals caused significant human suffering. Over decades, government counter-insurgency operations, development programs, and internal factionalism led to its gradual decline, leaving a complex legacy of social, cultural, and political consequences.
Sources
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India – LWE Status Report 2025
- Times of India – Reports on Maoist encounters and surrenders 2025
- SATP – Telangana Maoist Insurgency Updates
Arundhati Roy, Walking with the Comrades, 2011.
Vidyarthi, Communist Politics in India, Archive.org.
Shah, Social Movements in India, Archive.org.
Historical accounts of Telangana Rebellion, Indravelli Massacre, and local archives.
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