Former Maoist Leader Bhupathi Urges Comrades to Abandon Violence and Join Mainstream Society

Maoists must abandon the armed movement and operate within legal frameworks, stated Bhupathi. (File)

Prominent Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, known as Bhupathi, who surrendered to Gadchiroli police on October 14, has called upon his active comrades to surrender their weapons and integrate into mainstream society to serve the public.

His video appeal was included in a press release distributed Saturday by Gadchiroli police. In his message, Bhupathi shared both his and fellow surrendered comrade Rupesh's mobile numbers for those wishing to exit the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) movement.

Bhupathi, formerly a Polit Bureau and Central Committee member, secretary of Central Regional Bureau, and CPI (Maoist) spokesperson, emphasized that comrades engaged in armed struggle for power and land acquisition must recognize how their actions have alienated them from the people, demonstrating the "failure of the path."

"Active Maoists must abandon violence, surrender, and join mainstream society to work among the people," he urged.

He criticized the Central Committee of the banned organization for maintaining a "hardened approach" by refusing to relinquish armed struggle despite acknowledging the changing circumstances around them.

Bhupathi refuted claims labeling him and other surrendered Maoists as "gaddar" (traitors), calling such allegations misinformation.

He noted that Rupesh, another Central Committee member who surrendered in Chhattisgarh last month, had thoroughly explained why Maoists should surrender. "So I will not elaborate further on this matter," Bhupathi added.

The surrendered leader emphasized that circumstances have evolved, necessitating Maoists to abandon armed conflict and operate within legal boundaries.

"I appeal to all intellectuals nationwide, democracy supporters, and especially tribal advocates to understand our decision and support us. Those wishing to lay down arms and work among the people can contact me and comrade Rupesh by phone," he stated in his video message.

Bhupathi, a founding member of the banned People's War Group who expanded the Maoist movement across the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border by coordinating platoon operations, formally surrendered alongside 60 cadres. They relinquished 54 weapons, including seven AK-47s and nine INSAS rifles.

Rupesh, also known as Satish, surrendered with over 200 cadres in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur on October 17, marking the largest mass surrender in that state's history.

(This article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated source.)