Warangal, Oct.2 : Gudimalla Ravikumar, State Chairman of the Telangana Movement Activists Joint Action Committee and prominent advocate, stated that Warangal—the historic epicenter of the Telangana statehood movement—has severely fallen behind across all sectors in the formed state. Speaking during an interaction with Telangana digital media representatives, Ravikumar expressed deep concern over the systematic weakening of Warangal’s distinct political and social identity. He criticized past promises of developing Warangal as Telangana’s second capital, alleging that the indiscriminate division of the district was driven by real estate and financial interests, which effectively silenced the region’s questioning spirit and political strength.
Reflecting on his personal political journey, Ravikumar addressed the denial of the Warangal MP ticket to him in the past, revealing that four key leaders conspired against him by submitting false reports to block his growth. Despite these setbacks, he affirmed that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) remains his political guru forever, noting that the lessons learned under KCR’s leadership during the statehood movement laid the foundation for his public life. He added that he plans to write a book exposing the political intrigues and events that shaped his career.
Highlighting the plight of grassroot activists who invested their time, youth, and resources into the statehood movement, Ravikumar pointed out that their living conditions remain unchanged even after a decade of statehood. He urged the government to establish a dedicated Telangana Activists Welfare Corporation with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore, provide 250 square yards of housing land to each activist, extend monthly pensions, and grant educational and employment reservations for their children. He shared details of his ongoing Odarpu Yatra (consolation tour), which launched on September 17 from the Warangal Martyrs Memorial and has already reached 126 activist families across the former composite Warangal district.
Tracing his background as a senior advocate since 1995, social activist, former magician, and founder of the Telangana Auto Drivers Union, Ravikumar emphasized that he will continue to fight for the rights of marginalized communities, auto drivers, and forgotten movement leaders. Reiterating his commitment to restoring Warangal’s fighting spirit, he asserted that he would never compromise his self-respect and would remain focused on securing justice, dignity, and a rightful share in governance for genuine statehood fighters.
About the Author
