Famous Kanyasulkam writer and poet Gurajada Appa Rao’s family members have been moving from pillar to post to get an alternative land even as they are expected to hand over the adjacent property of Appa Rao’s house to the Archaeological Department which wanted to convert the entire premises as museum.
In the normal course, there is no chance for confrontation and controversy if the government hands over an alternative site since the family members are willing to hand over their property.
The government identified a piece of land in the municipal limits but the Vizianagaram Municipality decided not to accept the proposal since the identified site near NCS Theatre was meant for a multi-purpose hall. The municipality unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the government’s proposal, shocking the Gurajada family members.
The decision of the municipality has irked writers and poets across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They have decided to organise an agitation on May 30 in front of Gurajada’s house seeking justice to his great grandson, Gurajada Venkateswara Prasad, and his wife Indira.
According to them, Gurajada used to live in a house near the Fort junction and later bought an adjacent house from the Vizianagara Rajas in 1891. However, he passed away even before shifting to the new house. The government took control of the house in 1989 and converted it into a small museum to highlight the history of Vizianagaram.
Recently, the Archaeological Department issued a notice saying that there would not be any constructions within 100 metres of the museum. The Gurajada family members, who have been living in the original house of 300 square yards for the last 100 years, recently entered into an agreement with a builder for the construction of an apartment.
Venkateswara Prasad sought a flat instead of money since he would continue to have attachment with the original house. With the directive from the Archaeological Department, he agreed to an alternative land but it had now been denied by the Corporation.
“Insult to great poet”
“The Corporation’s decision is an insult to the great poet Gurajada. It should correct its mistake and hand over the site immediately,” said writer Vedagiri Rambabu, who used social media to garner the support of writers and poets in India.
Sahiti Sravanti Srikakulam wing president Chintada Rama Rao, writer Bendalam Krishna Rao and others rallied behind the family and deplored the Corporation’s decision. Gurajada Samskritika Samakhya secretary Kapuganti Prakash said that the former Rajya Sabha member, Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, and others would join hands for the agitation on May 30.
The municipal officials and public representatives are reportedly taken aback by the unexpected agitation by locals. They told the Gurajada family that the Corporation cannot reverse its decision within three months.
The family members felt the time was too long and they might be offered another piece of land in remote areas while giving up their prime land near the Fort where each square yard costs around Rs.25, 000.
The officials are trying to address the issue even before the agitation gains further momentum.
