Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Families Still Await Recognition for Telangana’s Vallala Student Martyrs
In 1948, students at a school in Vallala raised the Indian National Flag.
A Razakar militia group opened fire, and 10 students were killed.
Their families call these students martyrs of the Telangana liberation movement.
Many years later, the families say they still have not received official recognition.
Leaders promised them houses and financial help, but those promises have not been fulfilled.
One family member said the families were not invited to district celebrations.
A relative asked the government to create scholarships in the martyrs’ names.
The families are thankful to V. Hanumantha Rao for building a memorial at the school.
Razakars reportedly killed 10 students at Vallala school on August 15, 1948, after they hoisted the Indian National Flag.
The students were killed as Hyderabad State integrated into the Indian Union following Operation Polo.
Families say successive governments and political leaders have promised recognition, housing, and financial assistance, but these commitments remain unfulfilled.
Relatives say they were not invited to district-level celebrations, while a promised ₹5 lakh payment for each family has not materialized.
Former Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao is credited by the families with building a memorial at the Vallala school.
- Who
- Ten Vallala school students were killed by Razakars; their families are seeking recognition and assistance.
- What
- The families are awaiting official recognition, housing, financial support, and other honors for the students’ martyrdom.
- When
- The students were killed on August 15, 1948; the article also refers to commemorations on September 17 and a meeting held in 2025.
- Where
- At a school in Vallala, Shaligowraram mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana.
- Why
- The students were reportedly targeted after hoisting the Indian National Flag during the integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union.
Families’ demands
Official commemorations
Recognition and participation
Families’ demands
Families say the martyrs and their relatives have not received adequate recognition and that they were not invited to district celebrations.
Official commemorations
The central government commemorates September 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day, while the Telangana government observes it as Praja Palana Day.
Promised assistance
Families’ demands
Families say promises of pucca houses and ₹5 lakh for each family remain unfulfilled.
Official commemorations
The article does not report a completed government payment or housing program for the families.
How the martyrs should be honored
Families’ demands
Relatives seek formal recognition and a meritorious scholarship named after the 10 student martyrs.
Official commemorations
A memorial already exists at the school, constructed by former Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao.
- Incident date
- August 15, 1948
- Location
- Vallala, Shaligowraram mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana
- Victims
- 10 students
- Reported attackers
- Razakars, described as the Nizams’ private militia
- Unfulfilled assistance
- ₹5 lakh promised to each martyr’s family
- Families’ request
- Recognition, respect, pucca houses, and a scholarship for students of the school
- Memorial
- Constructed at the Vallala school by former Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao