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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, March 31, slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his association with deceased revolutionary poet from Telangana Gaddar. The Home Minister’s speech accused Rahul of associating closely with Naxalism, and even accused the top leader of the Congress party of “becoming a Naxal himself.”
In his speech in the Lok Sabha, Shah said, “During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, several frontal Naxal organisations participated,” Shah alleged referring to Rahul Gandhi’s popular pan India tour. “In 2018, in Hyderabad, Rahul Gandhi met Gummadi Vittal Rao, also known as Gaddar, whose ideology is closely aligned with Naxalism,” he added amid vehement protest from the opposition.
Gaddar, a well known folk singer and one of the eminent voices of the Telangana agitation for statehood did participate in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and was in fact associated with the Naxal movement. However, Gaddar was part of the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War.
In his later years, he identified himself as an Ambedkarite and continued speaking in favour of human rights, against police repression and was a stalwart figure of the Telangana agitation. Gaddar’s influence and politics were so overarching that following his demise in August 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Gaddar’s family expressing condolences.
“I am deeply pained to learn about the demise of Shri Gummadi Vittal Rao ji, widely known as ‘Gaddar’. Heartfelt condolence to the family in this hour of grief. The theme of his poems and folk songs in Telugu reflected the challenges faced by the disadvantaged sections of the society.. He always remained passionate about the progress of Telangana,” the letter read.
Speaking to TNM, Gaddar’s son and founder of the Gaddar Foundation, Surya Kiran said Gaddar was a “people’s man.”
“Legendary Gaddar was a voice of the people who used his art to reflect the realities of society. Through his powerful songs, he addressed critical issues such as the education system, environmental concerns, and the atrocities faced by Dalits, Adivasis, and Bahujans. His work consistently highlighted the struggles of the marginalized," Surya Kiran said.
"While some may point to his association with the Naxal movement, it is equally important to recognize that he was deeply rooted in people’s movements and dedicated his life to raising awareness about social injustices. He travelled extensively across India, connecting with communities and amplifying their voices,” he added.