Thippiri Thirupathi: ‘We have given up violence’: Former Maoist leader Deoji seeks ban on CPI (Maoist) lifted, eyes democratic politics | India News
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.What was life like in the jungles?Our commitment to CPI(Maoist)’s agenda of seizing power through armed revolution, had mentally prepared us to face all odds and hardships. As we continued working, our resolve only strengthened…so negotiating difficult terrain, exhaustion, poor living conditions felt normal to us.Where did the Maoists’ source their weapons from?There were three sources. Firstly, we would snatch or loot weapons (from the security forces); secondly, we manufactured weapons on our own. Thirdly, depending on the funds available, we also purchased arms and ammunition from the domestic arms dealers and smugglers. We have never secured weapons from anti-India, foreign-based sources in lieu of furthering their agenda.What were the primary sources of CPI(Maoist) funding?CPI(Maoist) was mostly funded by the people after we explained to them the political cause behind waging an armed struggle and the need for weapons. Also, we extorted money from outsiders who worked in our area; like tendu patta contractors and bamboo harvesters. But we steered clear of contractors engaged in construction of roads or bridges as we believe they exploit our resources. That CPI(Maoist) had massive funds is propaganda. Our policy is to raise money to sustain us for the next three years. This money is spent on people’s issues, armed struggle and propaganda; extravagance is strictly avoided. The party never had funds in excess of Rs 30-40 crore at any time. These would largely be exhausted after fulfilling needs for the current year; only a little would be carried over to the second year. There were never any funds for the third year.At what juncture did you think that armed Naxalism had started to weaken?After People’s War merged with MCC in 2004 to form the CPI(Maoist), then PM Manmohan Singh had declared Naxalism as the biggest internal security challenge facing the country. Thereafter, the entire govt machinery — the Centre, affected states, intelligence agencies, Central para-military forces etc — drafted a national policy to eradicate Naxalism. This unified, coordinated fight against Naxalism peaked in 2025. Security operations were only a part of this multi-pronged counter-Naxal approach, which also focused on a development of connectivity push in the affected areas. Many Naxals leaders, cadres and PLGA commanders were arrested or killed; we also lost our general secretary Namballa Keshav Rao in 2025. This weakened the CPI(Maoist) both quantitatively and qualitatively. Its geographical area of influence shrunk. We no longer had the capability to resist the security forces. Our weapons were seized. In view of our dwindling numbers, leadership, weaponry and area of influence, our movement suffered a massive setback.Describe the impact of the decisive operations on CPI(Maoist)?In Dec 2023, at an all-India conference of DGPs chaired by HM Amit Shah, consensus emerged in favour of waging a decisive battle to eliminate Naxalism. Operation Kagaar was launched in Jan 2024 and continued till March 2026.In Aug 2024, our PB/CC members met in Dandakaranya, We assessed that the decline in Naxals’ influence that began in 2018 had acquired serious proportions. We decided to disband the big outfits like PLGA, operate in small teams and work amongst the people. The cadres were incapable of implementing these decisions. It became too much of a security risk for them to move out of Dandakaranya. They had to concentrate there, exposing themselves to the forces that had encircled the area. We paid a heavy price as we could not operationalise the tactical decisions of Aug 2024.In March 2025, we decided that we were open to holding peace talks with the govt. Our condition was cessation of operations against us. But the Central govt rejected peace talks. The anti-Naxal operations continued with severity and many of our top leaders, including general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao, were killed. This crushed our movement. After Sonu surrendered, which was not cleared by PB, we could not arrest the wave of surrenders.Do you think that Naxalism would have lasted longer had HM Amit Shah not declared the March 31, 2026 deadline?Had the coordinated and fierce operations by the Centre and 12 states against CPI(Maoist) not been run with a definite deadline, our movement would have lasted longer as the people’s issues we raise remain relevant even today — loot by corporates in tribal areas and feudal oppression.Why did you decide to surrender?Given the circumstances we did some rethinking and concluded that the situation was no longer conducive to continuing the armed struggle. So we decided to give up violence and come overground. We have not surrendered to lead a comfortable personal life. We want to take up people’s issues through legal means. We will now engage in people’s politics to achieve an oppression and exploitation-free society.What are your expectations or demands from the govt?We have been demanding that the ban on CPI(Maoist) should be lifted. This way we can take up political activity in an open and legal manner. Even the ban on our frontal outfits must go as there has been no violent incident from our side over the past 8-10 months.It is also our responsibility to secure the release of Maoist cadres languishing in prisons. This is our demand before the Centre and state govts. HM Amit Shah claims the country became Naxal-free in March 2026; so it is only apt to free Naxals who are still in jails. They cannot go back to violence when freed, as they don’t have weapons. We welcome the govt’s decision to review cases against Naxals and free those jailed for non-serious crimes. But a distinction must not be drawn between serious and non-serious crimes. Govt may argue that the Maoists have killed many people, including police personnel, and that law should take its course. But this was a war and war always results in losses on both sides. After war, peace must be established. 6000-7000 Maoists are in jail; a blanket govt order must be issued for their release.Our third demand is leniency for the 10 Maoists given death sentence for the Jhiram Ghati attack case. Our demand for blanket release of Maoists should cover them as well.Our fourth demand is to extend protection to surrendered Naxals in Chhattisgarh against revenge attacks.The CPI(Maoist) political document talks of seizing power through armed struggle. Given your changed view, will this document be rewritten?Politics does not exist in a rigid form. Unlike Vedas, Puranas etc that are divine scriptures and cannot be rewritten, politics is dynamic. Politics must adapt to the changing times, be it the evolving national and international situation or objective and subjective conditions; political documents cannot be construed as eternal truth. Leninism and Marxism may be our theory, but the political document must be rewritten to reflect changed tactics and strategy.If the ban is lifted, will CPI(Maoist) enter electoral politics?We will need to consult the other leaders as well as cadres of CPI(Maoist) on whether or not to join electoral politics. If the assessment is that elections will not achieve our ends, we may stay away.If the ban on CPI(Maoist) is not lifted, will you consider floating a new party?Since Shah had asked us to work openly and legally, our obvious choice is to do so through CPI(Maoist). We will wait and watch and take a call on alternatives if this does not work out.
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What prompted you to study law post-surrender?As we engage in political activity as per law, we shall need a network of legal experts across the country to implement our political agenda efficiently. The knowledge of law will help us to comment and correctly interpret the law to defend activities that are within the legal framework. It will also help in perception management.Do you agree that the end of armed Naxalism is permanent and it will never resurrect?Armed struggle cannot be carried on or stopped with an edict or order. Popular sentiment decides its fate. Objective conditions create popular sentiment…which then takes the form of a call to the masses and congregation. This is how people’s movements are made. Nobody can predict what will happen in the future. But we are reiterating that after embracing a life in the open, we will carry out our political agenda only within the boundaries of the Constitution and law.
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