Legal heir

My father gave his life for the movement, I chose the law

- BY MAHESH CHANDRA

I was born into a movement I did not choose. My father, Macherla Yeshobu alias Jagan—known underground as Jagan Ranadeva—was a prominent figure in the Maoist movement in the Warangal region. Long before the CPI (Maoist) took its present form, he was already deeply involved in radical politics. His revolutionary life began at 25, inspired by leaders like Puli Anjanna. The movement then operated under different banners but with the same essence: resistance, rebellion and a promise of justice for the oppressed. He led anti-landlord struggles and was jailed multiple times. Our family paid a heavy price. Security forces raided our home more than once, burning our crops and destroying our livelihood. I was only a year old when my father went underground.