Statues and the Case of False Unities: Visakhapatnam (Poti Sri Ramulu)

Poti Sri Ramulu is the best known figure from the movement to create the language-based state of Andhra Pradesh out of the post-Independence colonial-based Madras State. The state of Madras had as its capital the city of Madras, where Tamil is the main language. In anticipation of a Tamil bias in education and jobs, as well as toward a type of Telugu pride, the Telugu-language areas of the state rose up in rebellion in the early 1950s. When Poti Sri Ramulu was allowed by the central government to fast to his death, the revolt reached its apex, and Nehru was forced to capitulate and accede to demands for the creation of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Poti Sri Ramulu, then, has become the icon for Telugu-ness in this century.

In Visakhapatnam:

Poti Sri Ramulu

Poti Sri Ramulu