By Chuppala Nagesh Bhushan
In an era when populism often trumps principle, the life of Konda Laxman Bapuji (1915–2012) offers a masterclass in leadership grounded in sacrifice, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to social justice. Born into a modest Padmashali (weaver) family in Wankidi village, in what is now Telangana’s Komaram Bheem district, Bapuji’s journey from a rural hamlet to the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and Telangana’s statehood movement is a testament to the power of conviction over privilege. His 97 years were a ceaseless battle against caste oppression, economic exploitation, and regional marginalisation—a legacy that holds urgent lessons for today’s leaders navigating fractured societies and rising inequalities.
A Life Forged in Struggle
Bapuji’s early years were shaped by the brutal inequities of Hyderabad State under Nizam rule. The feudal system, propped up by jagirdars, deshmukhs, and landlords, thrived on vetti chakiri (forced labour) and economic plunder, particularly targeting backward classes (BCs), Dalits, and Adivasis. As a young man, Bapuji witnessed the crushing weight of this hierarchy. A pivotal meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1941 ignited his resolve, blending Gandhian ideals of self-reliance with a fierce commitment to social equity. Largely self-educated, he honed a sharp legal mind, defending activists like Chakali Ailamma during the Telangana Rebellion (1946–1948) against the Nizam’s Razakar militias. His audacity was evident in a thwarted 1940s plot to assassinate the Nizam, a bold, if reckless, act of defiance alongside fellow revolutionaries.
Bapuji’s activism transcended the independence struggle. In the 1940s and 1950s, he organised peasants and artisans against feudal overlords, rallying weavers and workers to resist economic subjugation. His participation in the Quit India Movement (1942) and the Non-Mulki Agitation (1952) underscored his dual commitment to national freedom and regional dignity. Elected as an MLA from Asifabad (1952) and later Bhongir (1957, 1967, 1972), he served as Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1957–1960) and as a minister for Excise, Handlooms, and Small-Scale Industries (1960–1962, 1967–1969). Yet, his political career was marred by systemic exclusion. Twice poised to become Chief Minister, he was sidelined by caste-based machinations within the Congress party—a reminder that even in democratic India, entrenched elites guard power jealously.
His defining moment came on March 29, 1969, when he resigned as a minister during the Telangana Agitation, becoming the first Congress leader to sacrifice high office for the cause of Telangana statehood. This act of principle over ambition set him apart in an era when political loyalty often trumped ideology. Exiled from power for four decades, he never wavered. In 1987, disillusioned by Congress’s resistance to the Mandal Commission’s affirmative action proposals, he quit the party. Later, as a nonagenarian, he joined the Telangana Sadhana Samithi, symbolically declaring Telangana’s independence from his Hyderabad home, Jala Vihar, in 2009. At 96, frail but resolute, he undertook a hunger strike in Delhi’s biting winter of 2012, pressing for the Telangana Bill—a final, poignant act in a life of defiance that galvanised the movement until his death on September 21, 2012.
A Champion of the Marginalised
Bapuji’s legacy extends beyond politics to transformative social and economic reforms. As a weaver by community, he understood the precarity of artisanal livelihoods. In the 1950s, he founded the Hyderabad Central Handloom Cooperative Society (HYCO), a pioneering network of 150 cooperatives that provided year-round employment to 130,000 weavers. By reviving traditional weaves like Peethambari Pattu and Siddipet Gollabhama sarees, he preserved cultural heritage while bolstering economic self-reliance. His establishment of the Akhila Bharat Padmashali Sangam unified weavers nationwide, amplifying their voice. He also championed educational access, founding the Padmashali Hostel in Hyderabad and supporting hostels for other BC communities—Gowda, Kuruma, Gangaputra, and Vishwakarma—laying the groundwork for social mobility.
His advocacy for BC reservations in united Andhra Pradesh was pivotal. As a trusted advisor to leaders like Punjabalapalli Shivashankar, he shaped policies that implemented Mandal Commission recommendations, securing quotas that empowered millions. In the 1990s, as the BP Mandal movement sparked a Bahujan awakening, Bapuji envisioned a political party to champion marginalised communities in Telugu-speaking regions. Though this dream remained unfulfilled, his grassroots efforts—from cooperative societies to educational initiatives—ignited a quiet revolution.
A Legacy Etched in Telangana’s Soul
Today, Bapuji’s contributions are woven into Telangana’s identity. The state’s horticultural university, renamed Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University (SKLTSHU) in 2014, stands as a tribute to his vision of sustainable development. Annual commemorations on his birth (September 27) and death (September 21) anniversaries draw tributes from leaders like Chief Ministers A. Revanth Reddy and K. Chandrashekar Rao, who hail him as a “torchbearer for the oppressed.” Awards in his name, such as the Konda Laxman Bapuji Handloom Excellence Award—conferred in 2025 to Sircilla’s Veldi Rekha for her innovative Rajanna Siri Pattu saree—honour his commitment to artisans. Yet, calls for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, persist, reflecting a belief that his contributions remain under-recognised.
Lessons for Today’s Leaders
Bapuji’s life offers a clarion call to this generation’s leaders, who face a world of deepening polarisation, economic inequality, and populist distractions. His example underscores three imperatives.
♦️First, leadership demands sacrifice over self-interest. Bapuji’s resignation in 1969 and his lifelong rejection of personal gain for collective good challenge today’s leaders to prioritise principle over power. In an age of performative politics, his quiet resolve reminds us that true impact is measured by deeds, not rhetoric.
♦️Second, inclusivity is a prerequisite for progress. Bapuji’s fight against caste and class hierarchies, coupled with his advocacy for BCs, Dalits, and Adivasis, highlights the need to dismantle systemic barriers. Modern leaders must champion equitable policies—whether in education, employment, or political representation—to bridge divides in increasingly fragmented societies.
♦️Third, grassroots empowerment is the bedrock of lasting change. Bapuji’s cooperatives and hostels were not mere projects but transformative ecosystems that uplifted entire communities. Today’s leaders should invest in sustainable, community-driven initiatives—be it through vocational training, digital inclusion, or green economies—to empower the marginalised and foster resilience.
♦️Finally, Bapuji’s life urges leaders to preserve cultural and historical memory. His story, absent from most national textbooks, risks fading into obscurity. Governments and educators must ensure that such legacies are taught, not just in Telangana but across India, to inspire future generations.
As the world grapples with crises of identity and justice, Bapuji’s journey—from a village weaver’s son to the “Father of Telangana”—offers a blueprint for leadership that is principled, inclusive, and relentlessly committed to the greater good.
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