After Three Days of Protest, Kavitha Ends Fast Over Velugumatla House Demolitions

Telangana Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Wednesday ended her three-day hunger strike protesting the demolition of houses belonging to poor families in Velugumatla of Khammam , an issue that has triggered a major political debate across Telangana. The protest began on Monday night in Khammam and continued even after police shifted her to the Jagruthi central office in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad , where she carried on the fast demanding justice for the displaced families.

The agitation stemmed from a demolition drive in Vinoba Colony, Velugumatla , where authorities cleared houses built on land linked to the Bhoodan movement . According to residents and local leaders, hundreds of homes were demolished during the operation, leaving several families suddenly homeless. Kavitha alleged that nearly 750 families were forced to vacate their homes within a single day , many of whom had lived in the area for years and had invested significant savings to construct their houses.

Addressing the media after ending her fast, Kavitha launched a sharp attack on the Congress government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy , accusing it of acting against the interests of the poor. She said leaders who frequently invoke the Indian Constitution must ensure that governments respect the rights of vulnerable communities. The demolition of homes with bulldozers during late-night operations , she argued, sends a troubling message about governance and accountability.

Officials, however, maintain that the action was taken to clear encroachments on Bhoodan land , stating that the land—spread across around 31 acres and valued at hundreds of crores —had been illegally occupied. According to the district administration, the demolition followed verification by revenue authorities and the Bhoodan Yagna Board , and was carried out in accordance with legal procedures.

Kavitha rejected the government’s justification and alleged that the episode could be part of a larger attempt to gain control over Bhoodan lands across Telangana , which together account for nearly 1.74 lakh acres . She demanded that the government release a white paper detailing the status and ownership of these lands to ensure transparency.

The government has announced rehabilitation measures , identifying about 311 affected families for housing under the Indiramma scheme . However, Kavitha questioned whether houses worth around ₹5 lakh could compensate families who had spent lakhs building their homes.

The hunger strike ended after retired judge Justice Eshwaraiah offered lemon juice , following assurances that affected residents would be treated as beneficiaries rather than encroachers. Kavitha said the struggle for land rights and fair rehabilitation would continue beyond Khammam until justice is delivered to every displaced family.