Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupati: From dreaded Maoist to Gondwana University coordinator in Gadchiroli
After Maoist surrender, Bhupathi turns to tribal rights and Gram Sabha work in Gadchiroli, says ‘conflicts will remain till there there is no radical changes and rehabilitation’
Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupati alias Abhay, alias Mallojula Venugopal, alias Sonu, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once a notorious Maoist with a ₹6 crore bounty on his head, he now resides in Gadchiroli as a coordinator at a Village Council Capacity Building and Training Centre at Gondwana University. This 70-year-old man, who surrendered to the Maharashtra Police less than a year ago, now aims to bring awareness to tribal communities about their rights, particularly under forest-related legislations like the PESA.
Despite his past as a feared Maoist leader, he remains staunchly committed to the cause of tribals, expressing his desire to live in his native village and live without government surveillance.
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