In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing grievance, the residents of Peddaharivanam village in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district have taken the extraordinary step of banning entry to all political leaders. Their demand is singular and non-negotiable: the immediate declaration of their village as an independent mandal.
A Village United in Anger and Protest
The villagers of Peddaharivanam, located in the Adoni-2 mandal, have expressed deep frustration over what they term as repeated political neglect. Their agitation, simmering for years, reached a boiling point recently. In a powerful and rare display of unity, the community installed a board at the village outskirts explicitly prohibiting leaders from any political party from entering. This drastic action underscores their resolve to continue the protest until their demand is officially fulfilled by the government.
The Spark: A Gazette Notification and Perceived Betrayal
The protest gained significant momentum following a specific sequence of events. The state government had reportedly issued a gazette notification related to mandal reorganisation. This raised hopes in Peddaharivanam, which is considered one of the largest villages in the region and has sought mandal status for a long time. However, the villagers allege a cruel betrayal. The final notification led to the formation of Adoni-1 and Adoni-2 mandals, but Peddaharivanam was conspicuously excluded from being declared a separate mandal.
Leaders of the Mandal Sadhana Committee, including president Adinarayana Reddy and leader Madhulu, stated that the decision to bar politicians was taken collectively by the entire village. They accused leaders across party lines of misleading them, raising their hopes with assurances only to later abandon the proposal for a separate mandal.
Hunger Strike and Vows to Intensify Agitation
To press their case, a large number of villagers staged a hunger strike on Sunday, demanding immediate action from the authorities. The protesters have described the government's decision as both unjust and cruel, arguing that their village was promised mandal status only to be sidelined at the final stage. They view the creation of Adoni-1 and Adoni-2 mandals without including Peddaharivanam as a direct act of betrayal.
The community has asserted that their agitation will persist indefinitely. They have issued a clear warning: if their demand continues to be ignored, they will further intensify their protest activities. The board barring political leaders stands as a symbolic and physical representation of their disillusionment with the political establishment's promises.
