Senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Bhupathi, who surrendered alongside 60 cadres to Maharashtra police last month, released a compelling video message via Gadchiroli police on Saturday, directly appealing to active members of the banned CPI (Maoist) to abandon the path of armed insurgency and reintegrate into mainstream society through peaceful, community-focused work.

In the recorded appeal, Bhupathi highlighted the Maoist movement's increasing disconnection from the people it claims to represent, describing this isolation as undeniable evidence of the "failure of the path" of armed struggle, and urged remaining ultras to lay down their weapons, surrender to authorities, and contribute constructively within legal and democratic frameworks.

The former spokesperson for the outlawed outfit went a step further by publicly sharing his personal mobile number along with that of comrade Rupesh—another Central Committee member who recently orchestrated Chhattisgarh's largest-ever mass surrender of over 200 cadres in Jagdalpur—inviting any Maoist seeking to leave the jungle life to contact them confidentially for support and rehabilitation guidance.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh Sees Major Maoist Surrender, 78 Cadres Lay Down Arms

Bhupathi sharply criticized the Maoist Central Committee's inflexible commitment to violence, accusing its leadership of adopting a "hardened approach" despite clear signs of societal transformation, while firmly rejecting labels of "gaddar" (traitor) leveled against him and other surrendered cadres as malicious propaganda designed to deter defections.

Extending a broader appeal, Bhupathi called upon intellectuals, democracy advocates, human rights supporters, and especially tribal benefactors across India to understand and endorse their decision to surrender, emphasizing that former rebels now seek to serve communities lawfully, and reiterated the open invitation for any ultra ready to disarm and rebuild their lives to reach out immediately.

Also Read: Gadchiroli Police Reached Out to Bhupathi Ahead of Surrender, Say Officials