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, once a notorious Maoist with a ₹6 crore bounty on his head, has undergone a significant transformation. After surrendering to the Maharashtra Police a year ago, putting an end to Maoism in the region, the 70-year-old now holds a coordinator position at the Village Council Capacity Building and Training Centre at Gondwana University in Gadchiroli.
Speaking with The Hindu, Bhupati expressed his desire to work for tribals, advocating for their rights and safety. He highlighted that conflicts will persist until tribals feel secure and receive adequate rehabilitation. Concerned about the government acquiring tribal land for development projects, Bhupati warned of potential clashes.
Despite offers to rejoin mainstream political parties, he declined, preferring to create awareness among tribal communities about their rights, particularly under forest legislations like PESA.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
