Singannagudem, a Dalit dominated small village in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh, received a pleasant surprise on Saturday when mega-star-turned-politician Chiranjeevi paid them a surprise visit. The chief of the Praja Rajyam party also participated in a community lunch to mark the 53rd death anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.
Chiranjeevi sat down on the floor with other villagers and shared their meal.
"The community lunch programme is a reflection of our deep commitment to real social justice. For us, social justice is not restricted to talk but we also practice it," he said.
Addressing the villagers, the mega star rued that even in this hi-tech era, untouchability continued to be practiced and nobody was making a serious effort to put an end to it. He sought the support of the people to strengthen Praja Rajyam, to enable it to fulfill the promise of social justice.
Chiranjeevi's gesture floored the Dalit community in the village of Singannagudem. "No other leader has ever had lunch with us," said the village sarpanch.
Talking to the reporters, the film star said that politics had nothing to do with the community lunch programme and this was an effective way of sending out a message that all human beings are equal.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu and Nava Telangana Party president Devnder Goud were among the leaders who garlanded Dr Ambedkar's statue and paid him tributes.
Chiranjeevi has decided to appoint his younger brother and popular actor Pavan Kalyan as the president of the youth wing of Praja Rajyam. Party sources said that the decision was taken keeping in view Pavan Kalyan's popularity among the youth.
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