Hyderabad: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said Operation Sindoor was inspired by freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju and served to demonstrate India’s strength not just to Pakistan but to the world at large. Addressing a gathering at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad on the occasion of Alluri Sitarama Raju’s birth anniversary, Singh stressed that the Indian forces targeted only terrorist bases, sparing civilians.
The programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Kshatriya Seva Samiti of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Singh praised Alluri Sitarama Raju for fighting fearlessly for tribal rights and waging a guerrilla struggle against British rule. He said Andhra Pradesh had produced a heroic son who launched a revolutionary movement from the forests, shaking the colonial rulers.
He noted that Alluri fought without modern weapons, relying only on confidence and determination to resist foreign forces. According to Singh, Alluri’s message was to live with self-respect rather than accept a life of servitude.
The minister also announced plans to develop Alluri Sitarama Raju’s native village as a tourist destination to help the younger generation learn about his achievements. He described Alluri’s role in the freedom struggle as unforgettable for both Telugu-speaking states and the nation, saying his fearless resistance and courage had rattled the British administration.
Singh said Alluri had fought for the welfare of the people at the cost of all personal sacrifice, calling him more than a freedom fighter — a great personality. The minister further asserted that the government was committed to eliminating Naxalism and building a nation free from its influence.
