In a series of coordinated protests across Telangana on June 6, 2025, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Telangana unit called upon Maoists and Naxalites to abandon violence and integrate into the democratic mainstream. The demonstrations, held in Hyderabad, Hanumakonda, Nizamabad, and Medchal, were organized in response to the recent successes of Operation Kagar—a nationwide counter-insurgency campaign that has significantly weakened Maoist strongholds, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
Osmania University Leads the Charge
At Osmania University’s Engineering College campus in Hyderabad, ABVP activists gathered to denounce the violent actions of Naxalites. National Executive Member Jeevan addressed the assembly, stating, “Naxalites, with their misguided belief that power stems solely from the barrel of a gun, are leading innocent students astray and causing immense distress to their families.” He highlighted that approximately 14,000 innocent individuals have fallen victim to Naxalite violence nationwide.
నక్సలైట్ల హింసాత్మక చర్యలకు వ్యతిరేకంగా నిరసనలు:-@ABVPTelangana pic.twitter.com/F63bI2bZoR
— ABVP Telangana (@ABVPTelangana) June 7, 2025
Jeevan further criticized urban Naxalites, accusing them of masquerading as educators while promoting anti-constitutional activities. “These individuals, funded by taxpayers, are undermining our society. While they send their own children abroad for education, they lure others into the forests,” he asserted. He urged the state government to take stringent action against such elements.
The protest saw participation from State Joint Secretary Aliveeli Raju, State Working Committee Members Kamal Suresh and Hariprasad, Shodh Convener Sangadeep, State Executive Member Shekhar, and university student leaders including Narender, Saiteja, Vineeth, Manish, Sai, and Venu.
Hanumakonda Rally Highlights Hypocrisy
In Hanumakonda, ABVP organized a rally emphasizing the need for peace and the abandonment of arms by Naxalites. State Secretary Macherla Rambabu addressed the gathering, stating, “Naxalites claim India hasn’t achieved true independence and advocate for power through violence. Yet, they exploit our nation’s resources while aligning with foreign interests.”
Rambabu also questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s association with individuals advocating for peace, reminding attendees of the assassination of Minister Sridhar Babu’s father, Sripada Rao, by Naxalites. He emphasized the need for Naxalites to surrender and reintegrate into society.
The rally included State Executive Committee Member Arepalli Sujeeth, City Secretary Arun, Zonal In-charges Hari Charan and Srinivas, among other ABVP activists.
Statewide Mobilization and Historical Context
Simultaneous rallies in Nizamabad and Medchal echoed similar sentiments, with ABVP members urging urban Naxalites to cease indoctrinating students and jeopardizing their futures.
Telangana has historically been a hotbed for Naxalite activity. Over the past five decades, universities like Osmania University, Kakatiya University, and the Regional Engineering College (REC) in Warangal were once recruitment grounds for the movement. A significant portion of the Maoist top leadership historically hailed from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, many of whom were once student leaders or university graduates.
ABVP too had lost cadres in confrontations with Naxalites during the ideological struggle for youth and campus dominance. With renewed confidence, ABVP Telangana has sent a unified message to Maoist groups across the country: renounce violence, rejoin society, and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Operation Kagar’s Impact
The protests coincide with the success of Operation Kagar, a comprehensive anti-Naxal initiative launched in January 2024. The operation has led to significant setbacks for Maoist groups, including the elimination of top leaders like Basavaraju and Bhaskar in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. These efforts have been lauded by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who aims to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026.
