CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid rich tributes to veteran farmers’ leader and All India Kisan Sabha National Vice President Comrade Sarampalli Malla Reddy, describing his six-decade-long public life and contribution to farmers, agricultural labourers and tenant farmers as exceptional.
The Chief Minister attended the memorial meeting of Sarampalli Malla Reddy held at Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad. He paid floral tributes to Malla Reddy’s
portrait and recalled his dedicated service to the farming community.
“Malla Reddy Was a Walking Encyclopedia on Farmers’ Issues”
Revanth Reddy said Sarampalli Malla Reddy had developed a deep understanding of farmers’ problems, ranging from soil, water and seeds to investment, cultivation, remunerative prices and agricultural marketing.
Describing him as a leader with sharp insight into the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister said Malla Reddy was like a “walking encyclopedia” on farmers’ issues. His demise, he said, was an irreparable loss to the farming community.
The Chief Minister noted that Malla Reddy devoted his entire life to ensuring that the fruits of his struggles benefited farmers and agricultural labourers rather than seeking personal positions, power or recognition.
Government Will Work on Farmers’ Issues
Revanth Reddy said understanding a problem creates an opportunity to find a solution. He stated that the Telangana government would move forward with the intention of addressing several issues highlighted through Sarampalli Malla Reddy’s writings and public struggles.
The Chief Minister recalled several historical movements led by Left parties and said governments had subsequently introduced policies and legislation addressing issues raised through those struggles.
He referred to movements for minimum wages for agricultural labourers, land reforms, distribution of surplus and podu lands, housing for the poor, minimum support prices (MSP), employment guarantees and food security.
He said these historical developments demonstrated how public movements and struggles could influence governments to formulate policies aimed at protecting weaker sections and farmers.
CM Raises Concern Over SIR and Voter Deletions
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the possibility of genuine voters being excluded from electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.He pointed out that many people from remote villages and rural hamlets migrate temporarily in search of daily-wage employment. He stressed the need for vigilance to ensure that the names of such people are not deleted from electoral rolls merely because they are away from their native places.
Revanth Reddy said the struggles represented by the Red Flag movement had historically given confidence to people fighting for their rights and called for similar vigilance in protecting voting rights.
Government to Honour Malla Reddy’s Legacy
Responding to suggestions made by leaders at the memorial meeting, the Chief Minister said the government would consider ways to permanently commemorate Sarampalli Malla Reddy’s contribution to the farmers’ movement.
He recalled how the name of communist leader Suravaram Pratapareddy had been given to Telugu University and said the Telangana Cabinet would discuss an appropriate programme to honour Malla Reddy’s services to farmers and agricultural workers.
Minister Mohammed Azharuddin, several MLAs, CPM leaders Prakash Karth and John Wesley, along with other prominent leaders, participated in the memorial meeting.
