'We have given up violence': Former Maoist leader Deoji seeks ban on CPI (Maoist) lifted, eyes democratic politics

NewsIndia News'We have given up violence': Former Maoist leader Deoji seeks ban on CPI (Maoist) lifted, eyes democratic politics 'We have given up violence': Former Maoist leader Deoji seeks ban on CPI (Maoist) lifted, eyes democratic politics Former supreme commander and General Secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist), Thippiri Tirupathi, also known as Deoji, addresses media during a meeting with party leaders, in Hyderabad.

(PTI Photo) After surrendering in Feb 2026 and enrolling in a law college, top CPI(Maoist) leader Thippiri Thirupathi alias Deoji, 61, is ready for his next innings in democratic politics. Deoji speaks to TOI's Bharti Jain on his demand to lift the ban on CPI(Maoist) and make it a lawful, people-centric party.

Excerpts:Also read - 'From armed struggle to people's politics': Ex-Maoist leader Deoji outlines new path, seeks release of jailed cadresWhat propelled you to join the armed Naxal movement?I left studies and shifted to Dandkarenya forests in 1984.

The socio-political scenario in those times was marked by exploitation of peasantry and women by feudalistic set-up, both in urban and rural settings. In 1978, there was a big uprising by the farmers of Telangana and a declaration was made to fight against oppression and agitate for people's rights.

There was mass mobilisation and a people’s movement started to give voice to farmers, women and the weaker sections. Starting from Karimnagar, it soon spread across Telangana. I was then following this movement closely and subscribed to its anti-feudal sentiment; I joined the students' Radical Students Union (RSU) to actively 'support this cause.

I was arrested several times and tortured by the police. Since circumstances did not allow us to carry out our struggle in the open, I had to go underground. InsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig Development Get the latest India News and Live updates.

Download the TOI app. Bharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012.

Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood. 'Kashmir Was, Is And Will Be India's': Farooq Abdullah Urges Pakistan To End Terrorism 'Sam Bhai...Gujarati Friend': PM Modi-Sam Pitroda's X Exchange Goes Viral ‘Clean Chit To Gandhi Family’: 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims' Families Burn Sonia’s Memoir ‘Pay ₹7 Crore Or...’: Kejriwal, Daughter Get ‘Death Threat’ From ‘Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Member’ Owaisi, Chandra Shekhar Azad Form Alliance For 2027 UP Polls; SP, Congress React ‘Double Standards of…’: BJP Hits Out As Congress Names Bimol Akoijam To Key Manipur Poll Panels ‘Ball Is In Your Court’: Norwegian Journalist Helle Lyng’s Visa Appeal To Amit Shah ‘ANTI-BHARAT’: BJP Targets Rahul Gandhi Ahead Of Bharat Summit In Hyderabad 'Chilling Reminder': Mamata Attacks BJP After TMC Leader Ujjal Biswas' Death Diwali 1984: Grenade Plot to Wipe Out The Entire Gandhi Parivar, Revealed In Sonia Gandhi's Memoir 5 things parents should never avoid discussing with their teenage boys: Important conversations about emotions, relationships, peer pressure, personal boundaries and online safety that can help build trust and encourage open communication during adolescence