Thaindian News

Hyderabad, June 22 (IANS) Thousands bid a tearful adieu to Telangana ideologue K. Jayashankar at Hanamkonda in Warangal district Wednesday.

Amid slogans of “Jayashankar amar rahe” and in the presence of several top leaders of the Telangana movement, Jayashankar was cremated.

Jayashankar, former vice chancellor of Kakatiya University and the most revered figure in the Telangana movement, died Tuesday after protracted illness. He was 76.

The mourners vowed to fulfill Jayashankar’s dream of separate statehood to Telangana. He had participated in the 1969 movement for a separate Telangana and was also in the forefront of the ongoing agitation.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) chairman M. Kodandaram and leaders of various parties and groups fighting for the separate state attended Jayashankar’s last rites.

Earlier, a huge procession passed through the tri-city of Hanamkonda-Warangal-Kazipet. Holding portraits of Jayashankar in their hands, the participants raised slogans of “Jai Telangana”.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions in the town were closed as a mark of respect to the leader.

There were minor incidents of violence as processionists pelted stones at the office of the Congress party and houses of Congress leaders.

Earlier, the mourners also vented their ire when minister for handlooms and textiles Shankar Rao visited Jayashankar’s house to pay his last respects. They hurled stones and footwear at the minister’s convoy, demanding his resignation for the sake of separate state.

Schools and colleges across Telangana region including Hyderabad remained closed in response to a call given by JAC.