Naidu Declares Dec. 15 as Day of Sacrifice Honouring Potti Sriramulu

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced that December 15 will henceforth be observed as the “Day of Sacrifice.” This is the day freedom fighter Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu sacrificed his life while demanding a separate state for Telugu people.

Addressing a gathering at the programme to mark Potti Sriramulu’s “Atmarpana Day” organised at the Thummalapalli Kala Kshetram here on Monday, the AP CM sought to dispel all controversy saying the Amarajeevi fasted unto death for 58 days to realise a separate Telugu state for Andhras with Kurnool as its capital on October 1, 1953. On November 1, 1956, the first linguistic state for Telugus got formed under the title Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu accused certain sections of trying to politicise the importance of the dates.

He went on to announce a series of programmes to remember the sacrifice of Potti Sriramulu. Up to March 16, 2026, the centenary celebrations of Potti Sriramulu will continue to be held officially in Andhra Pradesh. A Smruthi Vanam will be constructed for the Amarajeevi in Amaravati for future generations to recognise Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifices. The building where the Amarajeevi fasted till death in Chennai will be developed as a memorial. Likewise, Potti Sriramulu’s residence in Nellore will also be developed as a memorial. In addition a statue of the Amarajeevi will be built in Amaravati as the “Statue of Sacrifice.”

The Chief Minister pointed out that Telugu Desam founder N.T. Rama Rao, as the then CM, named the Telugu University after Potti Sriramulu to commemorate the latter’s sacrifice. Based on NTR’s proposal sent to the centre, Nellore had been renamed as Potti Sriramulu Nellore district.

Naidu said, “We Telugus did not have a permanent address and moved from place to place. We stayed in Chennai and Kurnool and later developed Hyderabad. But now, we are developing Amaravati as our own. We are also taking up decentralisation of development by developing Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and other areas.”

Referring to AP, the CM said the state stood first in aquaculture as per RBI report. They are making efforts to develop agriculture and industries. In just 18 months of governance, they have attracted ₹21 lakh crore in investments.

Naidu criticised the previous YSRC regime for promoting three capitals for AP. He found fault with it for politicising development of government medical colleges under PPP mode.

The Chief Minister said the state government has decided to name Penugonda mandal in West Godavari district as Vasavi Penugonda after the sacrifice rendered by Kanyakaparemeswari.

Those present included several ministers including Tourism and Culture minister Kandula Durgesh, apart from public representatives.

Durgesh announced that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and education minister N. Lokesh have decided that statue of Potti Sriramulu in Amaravati will be of 58 feet, the number of days the Amarajeevi fasted before passing away.