MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy Pays Rich Tributes To Prof K. Jayashankar On 15th Death Anniversary

Senior BRS leader and Balkonda MLA Vemula Prashanth Reddy on Sunday paid rich tributes to noted Telangana ideologue Prof K. Jayashankar on his 15th death anniversary , describing him as a “lifelong campaigner” who dedicated his entire life to the Telangana statehood movement.

Speaking after offering floral tributes at the professor’s statue at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, the former minister said Prof Jayashankar represented unwavering commitment to the Telangana cause and remained actively engaged through all phases of the movement.

Reddy recalled that the Telangana agitation involved different categories of participants , a classification often mentioned by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. He said there were people who supported the movement along with their regular work, those who participated more actively when required, and those who devoted their entire lives to the cause . Prof Jayashankar, he said, clearly belonged to this third category of “lifelong activists.”

He noted that the professor travelled extensively across the region during the peak of the movement, helping to build public awareness and strengthen the statehood demand at the grassroots level. His academic stature combined with his activism, Reddy added, made him a key intellectual force behind the Telangana movement.

Referring to the formation of Telangana under the leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao, Reddy said the state was achieved after a long struggle and that the subsequent decade of governance had helped Telangana emerge as one of the country’s leading states in several sectors.

However, he expressed concern over what he described as governance shortcomings over the past two and a half years under the Congress government. He alleged that administrative neglect and policy failures were affecting the identity and progress of Telangana .

In this context, the MLA called for a renewed commitment to the ideals of Prof Jayashankar. He urged party workers and supporters to draw inspiration from his legacy and remain prepared to protect Telangana’s interests whenever required.

The event concluded with leaders reiterating their respect for Prof Jayashankar’s enduring contribution to the Telangana statehood movement, which continues to hold an important place in the region’s political history.