Top Maoist Devuji alias Tippiri Tirupati to Telangana govt: Lift ban on Maoists, free jailed cadre

HYDERABAD: Top Maoist Devuji alias Tippiri Tirupati who joined mainstream recently has urged Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to seek lifting of the ban on CPI (Maoist), saying the party would work legally and disband the PLGA if allowed political space.

He also sought release of jailed Maoist leaders, activists and sympathisers, support for families of those killed in the movement, and an end to what he called harassment under the “Urban Naxal” label. Devji said reports about his seeking Rs 1 crore and five acres of land for surrendered Maoists were made in haste and were not part of the official agenda.




Devuji spoke to TOI on Friday in a conversation on various issues related to Maoist movement.

Presenting himself as a Maoist leader shifting from underground activity to what he described as a public and legal political struggle, Devji alias Tippiri Tirupati laid out a set of demands to the Telangana government, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the Centre. At the centre of his pitch is the demand that the ban on CPI (Maoist) be lifted so that the party can function as a legal political entity instead of pursuing armed struggle.


Devji said that if the ban on the party is lifted, the CPI (Maoist) would work within the legal framework and disband the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). He said this should not be seen as a “deceiving tactic” but as a commitment to peaceful political participation.



Ban, prisoners and PLGA

Devji said his central demand to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during his recent meeting was that the state government press for removal of the ban on CPI (Maoist). He said the chief minister should recommend to Union home minister Amit Shah that the ban be lifted, acknowledging that the restriction comes under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and falls within the Centre’s jurisdiction.


He said the chief minister had already discussed the issue with the Union home minister. According to Devji, legal recognition of the party would open the way for a shift from armed struggle to open political activity.


He also demanded the release of jailed Maoist leaders, activists and sympathisers, saying they should be treated as political prisoners and freed from what he called conspiracy cases. He said the movement would also seek economic and social support for families of those who died in the Maoist movement, particularly those without housing or financial stability.


On reports that he had sought Rs 1 crore and five acres of land for surrendered Maoists, Devji said those claims were made in haste and were not part of his or the party’s official agenda. He described those demands as a mistake.

‘Public and legal’ struggle

Devji said he did not come overground out of fear or for a personal life, and maintained that he was arrested by Telangana police while trying to relocate and coordinate the party during Operation Kagar. He said his current course should be seen as a continuation of political life, but in a different form.

He described the shift as a move from underground activity to a public and legal struggle over what he called the daily and fundamental problems of the people. He also called on the Centre and the state government to stop what he termed harassment under the “Urban Naxal” label, and sought repeal of the UAPA, arguing that it was being used to victimise people for their ideologies over long periods.

Outlining his broader political position, Devji said his agenda included fighting what he called “RSS-BJP fascism” and addressing poverty, the self-respect of SC, ST and BC communities, and environmental protection.