Adilabad’s last link with freedom struggle

One more soldier of Telangana Liberation passes into history

(left) A plaque in memory of freedom fighters was put in place in connection with the silver jubilee of independence at the district collectorate in 1972-73. (Above) Freedom fighter Prabhakar Rao Deshpande.

The link that the present Adilabad and Nirmal districts had with its past related with Telangana’s liberation from the Nizam’s rule has snapped with the death of freedom fighter Prabhakar Rao Deshpande. The 90-year-old advocate belonging to Boath mandal headquarters was the last among those who had contributed their mite to the struggle waged by people for liberation from the clutches of the then ruler.

The death came on September 8 at Hyderabad, according to the freedom fighter’s grandson, Mihir Deshpande. He had graduated in Law from Benaras Hindu University and had practiced in Boath and Nirmal courts for more than three decades, including a 10-year long stint as Government Pleader at Nirmal court.

Prabhakar Rao Deshpande was a school going child during the tumultuous period of Telangana Armed Struggle. He was jailed for a few days for hoisting the Indian tricolour in the school along with another youngster Devidas Rao Deshpande who also was recognised as a freedom fighter.

A plaque in memory of freedom fighters was put in place in connection with the silver jubilee of independence at the district collectorate in 1972-73. (right) Freedom fighter Prabhakar Rao Deshpande

 

Spirit of freedom

The act may look simple when compared to the armed campaign by seasoned leaders, when compared to the activities of the people who waged the armed struggle for liberation of Telangana. It was, however, the sentiment and the resolve of the youngster in hoisting the tricolour and the few days of incarceration that mattered when it came to recognising him as a freedom fighter by the State government.

Mr. Prabhakar Rao received ₹ 7,000 as pension from the State government. He was not recognised as a freedom fighter by the Central government, which would have enabled him to draw a larger amount as freedom fighter pension.

Boath had produced a handful of freedom fighter who are still remembered by the locals. Among them are Takkala Charandas Reddy, Bondidi Venkat Rao and Laxmikanth Rao Surya. Adilabad too had its heroes of the Telangana Armed Struggle six of them getting recognition from Central government.

Exemplary commitment

They are Daji Shankar Rao, Kastala Ramkishtu, Gunda Sadashiv, Dandekar Gopal Rao, G. Kishan Rao and Vannela Ellanna. Daji Shankar Rao was a dalam commander in the camp of armed freedom fighters in neighbouring Maharashtra and had refused to accept the pension as long as he lived.

In Kumram Bheem Asifabad district only Dandanayak Srinivas Rao of Asifabad remains of the five freedom fighters. The others who have left behind their memories are Konda Laxman Bapuji, Ekabilvam Revaiah, Ekabilvam Shankaraiah, Cheela Shankar, Cheela Vittal and Bonagiri Venkatesham.