A civil rights leader who prepared several reports on human rights violations

By Harsh Thakor*

Renowned civil rights leader, senior lawyer, and former president of the Human Rights Forum, Gorrepati Madhava Rao (67), passed away recently in Nizamabad while undergoing medical treatment. Until his final breath, he fought relentlessly against oppression, embodying the spirit of the civil rights movement and its enduring legacy.

Madhava Rao, an accomplished lawyer and a fearless advocate for justice, suffered a stroke on Friday and was admitted to a private hospital in Nizamabad, where he passed away the following morning. His mortal remains will be donated to the Government Medical College, Nizamabad, on Sunday, while his eyes have been donated to the Lions Club.

Early Life and Education

Born on March 4, 1957, Madhava Rao's family moved from Repalle in Guntur district to Baswapur in Kotagiri mandal of Nizamabad district in 1957, shortly after his birth. Influenced by Jampala Chandrasekhar Prasad, founder of the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), Madhava Rao was drawn to the Leftist movement during his college days.

He graduated from City College, Hyderabad, and later earned a law degree from Osmania University. While at university, he became an active participant in the PDSU movement, marking the beginning of his political and social activism.

Legal Career and Advocacy

In 1992, Madhava Rao returned to Nizamabad and began practicing law at the Nizamabad District Court. Known for his bold and principled stance, he exposed alleged encounters involving Naxalites and their sympathizers. He worked closely with civil liberties leaders, including the late Balagopal, and fought tirelessly for the rights of marginalized communities.

Madhava Rao represented families of victims in numerous cases of alleged police encounters, securing compensation in several instances. He was also noted for his role in the Aurangabad Conspiracy Case and defended hundreds of revolutionary activists, securing bail, case dismissals, and the release of many innocent individuals.

In 2005, he argued on behalf of five members of the Revolutionary Writers Association (Virasam) and a former CPI (Maoist) State Committee member who were arrested on fabricated charges under Sections 120(B), 121(A), and 122 of the IPC. Madhava Rao demonstrated that there was no evidence against the accused, leading to their acquittal in 2010.

Contributions and Legacy

Madhava Rao was also a translator, rendering articles on the Chinese Communist Party into Telugu. His contributions to human rights advocacy were lauded by the Coordination Committee of the Human Rights Forum (AP and Telangana), led by S. Jeevan Kumar, Vasanth Lakshmi, V. S. Krishna, and A. Chandrashekhar.

The committee praised his relentless dedication to the civil rights movement and his role in preparing reports on human rights violations. Revolutionary writer N. Venugopal saluted Madhava Rao’s lifelong commitment to liberation, while many Virasam activists mourned his loss.

Madhava Rao’s life and work remain an inspiration, reminding us of the enduring fight for justice and equality.

---

*Freelance journalist

Comments

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor* Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

PUCL files complaint with SC against Gujarat police, municipal authorities for 'unlawful' demolitions, custodial 'violence'

By A Representative The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to initiate suo-moto contempt proceedings against the police and municipal authorities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complaint alleges that these officials have engaged in unlawful demolitions and custodial violence, in direct violation of a Supreme Court order issued in November 2024.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast" (the rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave).

CPM’s evaluation of BJP reflects its political character and its reluctance to take on battle against neo-fascism

By Harsh Thakor* A controversial debate has emerged in the revolutionary camp regarding the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s categorization of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many Communists criticize the CPM’s reluctance to label the BJP as a fascist party and India as a fascist state. Various factors must be considered to arrive at an accurate assessment. Understanding the original meaning and historical development of fascism is essential, as well as analyzing how it manifests in the present global and national context.

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment. The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents. The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

How polarization between different ideological trends within the communist movement sharpened in India

By Harsh Thakor* This article is a rejoinder to A Note on Slogans of “Left Unity,” “Unity of the Communist Revolutionaries” and “Mass Line” by Umair Ahmed, published on the Nazariya blog .

Implications of deaths of Maoist leaders G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya in Chhattisgarh

By Harsh Thakor* In the wake of recent security operations in southern Chhattisgarh, two senior Maoist leaders, G. Renuka and Ankeshwarapu Sarayya, were killed. These operations, which took place amidst a historically significant Maoist presence, resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals on March 20th and 16 more three days prior.

Perfect batting model: No pair of sporting twins created such an impact jointly as Steve and Mark Waugh

By Harsh Thakor* In the history of cricket, no pair of twin brothers has ever asserted as much influence on the game as Steve and Mark Waugh. They had completely contrasting styles of play, yet together they played an instrumental role in Australia’s resurgence as a superpower in international cricket. The twin brothers turn 60 later in June this year. Mark was born just four minutes after Steve. Steve Waugh Steve Waugh was the ultimate epitome of sporting temperament, mental tenacity, consistency, and solidity. In a crisis, or when resurrecting a team from the grave, Steve Waugh was possibly the best batsman of his day. I can never forget the innumerable occasions he revived a sinking ship or conquered difficult wickets. He mastered all types of conditions—from the turning tracks of the subcontinent to the seaming English pitches, and the bouncy surfaces of Australia, the Caribbean, and South Africa. Steve began his career as an all-rounder against India in 1985-86, playing a pre...

Search This Blog