2026 - Shri Potti Sriramulu | Commemorative Coin

A commemorative coin of ₹125 will be issued to mark the 125th Birth Anniversary of Shri Potti Sriramulu. The gazette notification is awaited from the Ministry of Finance.

Potti Sriramulu occupies a revered place in modern Indian history as a dedicated freedom fighter and a central figure in the movement for linguistic reorganisation of states. His life was marked by deep personal sacrifice, unwavering commitment to Gandhian ideals, and an extraordinary determination that ultimately led to the formation of the first linguistic state in independent India.

Born on 16 March 1901 in Madras (present-day Chennai), Potti Sriramulu belonged to a modest Telugu-speaking family. He pursued technical education and initially worked as a sanitary engineer with the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. However, the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and the growing momentum of the national movement inspired him to resign from his job and dedicate himself entirely to the cause of India’s independence. He participated actively in several phases of the freedom struggle, including the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement, and spent periods in prison as a result of his involvement.

Sriramulu became widely known for his strict adherence to Gandhian principles of simplicity, truth, and nonviolence. He lived an austere life and devoted himself to social reform activities, particularly those aimed at improving the condition of marginalised communities. He undertook fasts to promote temple entry for Dalits and worked toward the eradication of untouchability, demonstrating his commitment to social equality alongside political freedom.

His most significant contribution came in the years following India’s independence, when demands grew stronger for the creation of states based on linguistic identity. The Telugu-speaking population of the Madras Presidency had long sought a separate administrative unit where their language and cultural interests could receive appropriate recognition. Sriramulu emerged as the most prominent advocate of this cause. In October 1952, he began an indefinite fast demanding the formation of a separate Andhra state. His fast continued for nearly two months despite appeals from political leaders to withdraw it.

On 15 December 1952, after 58 days of fasting, Potti Sriramulu passed away. His death triggered widespread public protests and demonstrations across Telugu-speaking regions, creating intense pressure on the Government of India to respond to the demand. As a result, the separate state of Andhra was formed in 1953, marking a historic milestone in India’s administrative evolution and setting the stage for the broader linguistic reorganisation of states that followed later in the decade.

Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifice left a lasting imprint on India’s political landscape. He is remembered not only as a martyr for the Andhra state movement but also as a symbol of peaceful protest and moral conviction in public life. His legacy continues to be honoured across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where he is regarded as one of the most important figures in the struggle for linguistic identity and regional self-respect in independent India.