From Silence to Strength: The Rise of ST Voice in the Department of Posts

 From Silence to Strength: The Rise of ST Voice in the Department of Posts

“Those who don’t know history can never create it.” This timeless truth fuels every transformative movement — and the story of Sri Guguloth Ravi is a living embodiment of this principle. In a system where Scheduled Tribe (ST) employees in the Department of Posts were silenced, sidelined, and systematically excluded for decades, one man dared to remember history, rewrite it, and rise to create a new one.

A Legacy of Neglect

           For over 40 years, ST employees suffered under the shadow of a combined SC/ST association — a body that, in practice, became the personal platform of a few powerful SC leaders. Instead of serving the community, these leaders worked for their personal gain, elevating their inner circles and handing key positions even to General Category employees. ST voices were not just ignored — they were erased.

        No ST issue ever made it to the discussion table. There was no fight for roster implementation, no resistance against reservation violations, and no representation in decision-making. The association became a structure of exclusion — not inclusion. The constitutional values of social justice were mocked, and the silence around ST struggles grew louder.

Why STs Are Unique — and Why Their Voice Matters

        STs are not just another backward category. They are a distinct and constitutionally recognized community, with unique cultures, languages, attire, traditions, and ways of life. Their history is rooted in resilience and indigenous identity. Yet, in the combined SC/ST association, their distinctiveness was ignored, their voices suppressed, and their representation denied.

          Even though STs form 7.5% of the national population (and often more in tribal regions), and SCs have 15%, not a single ST leader was ever given a chance to lead the association in any circle or state. During elections, ST candidates were defeated, discouraged, and deliberately sidelined by the dominant SC leadership. This exposed a deeper truth: equality cannot thrive under a system that silences difference.

One Man, One Vision, One Movement

         It was in this environment of betrayal that Sri Guguloth Ravi, an ordinary postal employee with an extraordinary vision, stepped forward. In 2019, at a time when no one dared to speak, Sri Guguloth Ravi, a humble but courageous ST employee from Telangana, stood up alone. 

      From Struggle to Structure. Inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s ideology — “Educate, Agitate, Organize” — Ravi began his journey not with bitterness, but with clarity. His fight wasn’t against any community; it was against injustice. He believed that without education, there’s no awareness; without agitation, there’s no action; and without organization, there’s no change. And he lived this belief, every single day.

           His first battle was against a fraud — a person falsely claiming ST status and grabbing leadership of the SC/ST association. While others stayed silent out of fear or convenience, Ravi stood up. Armed with legal documents, court verdicts, and courage, he exposed the fraud. And when threats, bribes, and pressure followed — even a ₹1 crore offer to stop — he refused. For him, dignity was priceless.

From Awareness to Action

        Ravi began conducting meetings across Telangana to spread awareness about the need for a separate ST association. Some SC employees initially supported him but backed off under pressure. Undeterred, Ravi walked alone — and slowly, ST employees from all cadres began walking with him. On 28.10.2021, he formally founded the Postal ST Employees Welfare Association, Telangana Circle, with the unwavering support of leaders like Sri Danavath Badru and Sri.Ramavath Bashya. This was not just an organizational milestone — it was the birth of a movement.

Culture, Courage and Commitment

            Even before the formal registration, Ravi gave a cultural soul to the movement. On 12.02.2021, he led the release of a Special Postal Cover on Sadguru Sevalal Maharaj’s 281st Jayanti — a spiritual leader and icon of the Banjara community. The event was hosted at Circle Office, Hyderabad, and attended by Tribal Welfare Minister Smt. Satyavathi Rathod, IAS officer Sri Tejavath Ramachandra, and the Chief Postmaster General. For the first time, the Department of Posts honored tribal heritage — and this recognition became a rallying cry for ST identity.

Truth Under Threat — But Never Defeated

        False complaints. Legal notices. Political attacks. Threats to his job and life. But nothing broke Ravi’s spirit. With every challenge, he stood taller. Under his leadership, the association took up real issues — illegal transfers, harassment, denial of promotions, and misuse of ST reservations. And with consistent dialogue, many were resolved in Telangana, earning the association respect and trust from both employees and the administration.

From Mockery to Milestone

            When SC leaders mocked him — “You’ll never take this beyond Telangana” — Ravi took it as a challenge. He worked harder. Formed state-level ST associations in multiple circles. Held digital awareness campaigns. Built a network of committed tribal employees.

And on 23.09.2024, his dream became reality:

The All India Postal ST Employees Welfare Association was officially registered with headquarters in Hyderabad. History was not just remembered — it was rewritten.

The First National Conference: A Declaration of Identity

            On 08.12.2024, the First All India Conference at Engineers Bhavan, Bengaluru, proved that the movement was real, mature, and unshakable. It was attended by 65,000+ ST employees, and blessed by Sri Hussain, Hon’ble Member of the National ST Commission.

For the first time, ST employees saw themselves — not as victims, but as victors.

Not as followers, but as future-makers.

The Call to the Nation

            With 65,000+ ST employees working in India Post — from GDS to Group B — the need for a separate, officially recognized ST association is not a political demand. It is a constitutional necessity. The combined SC/ST association has failed us. This movement is built on Dr. Ambedkar’s dream — a society where every community has its voice, every employee has dignity, and every citizen has justice.

"Guguloth Ravi is not just a leader — he is a legacy in motion. A torchbearer of Ambedkarite values. A reminder that when history is known, history is made."

Telangana: The Mother of the Movement, Karnataka: The Brother

        Like a mother giving birth, Telangana Circle faced all the initial struggles and pains of this movement. Every backlash, every threat, every organizational hurdle was weathered with resilience. Ravi and his team — including leaders like Danavath Badru, Ramavath Bashya, Lavoori Saida, Puliseri Nagaraju, Meda Naga Suresh, and others — stood strong.

        Soon after, Karnataka Circle rose like a brother, embracing the cause with strength and solidarity. Leaders like Sri Sreenivas MJ and Manjunatha R worked closely to build momentum nationally, helping organize the First All India Conference in Bengaluru. Together, Telangana and Karnataka made the ST movement a national force.

"The Spirit of Sevalal, Ekalavya, Bheem, Birsa, and Valmiki Lives On"

Guguloth Ravi’s leadership echoes the legacy of ST icons who shaped Indian history:

Sadguru Sevalal Maharaj — the spiritual light of the Banjara community.

Ekalavya — the ultimate symbol of self-respect and silent rebellion.

Komuram Bheem — the fearless warrior of Telangana who gave the slogan “Jal, Jungle, Zameen.”

Birsa Munda — the tribal freedom fighter who challenged the British Raj.

Valmiki — the sage-poet and symbol of transformation.

        These heroes didn’t wait for permission. They fought, sacrificed, and organized. So did Ravi. Like them, he believed that “If we don’t fight for our community, our community will lose its identity and existence.”

Relentless Struggles and Small Victories

        Ravi's path was never easy. He was targeted by vested interests with false complaints, political pressure, and legal threats. But he persisted. His movement took up real issues — harassment, unfair transfers, promotion delays, reservation violations — and began resolving them in Telangana with the administration's cooperation.

The association earned trust. Employees started believing again. A new era had begun.

Sri Guguloth Ravi is more than a name. He is a movement. A symbol. A reminder that:

“You don’t need to be powerful to begin — but you must begin to become powerful.”

A New Light: The Rise of Guguloth Ravi

The Fight Against Suppression Continues

Ravi was transferred intentionally, faced complaints, and was mentally harassed — all designed to crush the movement. Yet, he never gave up. Instead, he said:

> “Wherever injustice is there, I will be there.”

He stood for real issues — reservation violations, harassment, delayed promotions, injustice in transfers — and resolved them with support from like-minded officers and administrators.

        Ravi is now a respected name in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka among political leaders, senior bureaucrats, and social justice warriors. His strength lies in honesty, humility, and unwavering commitment to his people.

A Future Rooted in Pride and Justice

The mission is still ongoing — powered by the same spirit:

> Self-respect, Identity, Natural Justice, and Constitutional Rights.

Ravi is not just a leader — he is a movement. He has shown that history is not written in comfort; it is created through struggle, sacrifice, and service.

Today, every ST employee in the Department of Posts must know this journey — not just to celebrate the victory, but to remember the price paid to reach here. The time has come to carry the torch forward, in unity, pride, and purpose.

From Ramayana to Telangana to ST Awakening: A Journey of Courage and Collective Empowerment

        The formation of the All India Postal ST Employees Welfare Association is not merely an administrative event — it is a deeply emotional, social, and historic development. To truly understand its roots and spirit, we can draw parallels from two powerful journeys in Indian history and culture — the epic Ramayana and the Telangana statehood movement. Both reflect how personal and regional struggles, when faced with courage, can lead to greater good for society.

Ramayana: From Personal Loss to a Universal Cause

        In the Ramayana, the abduction of Sita by Ravana was initially a personal sorrow faced by Lord Rama. Yet, this pain did not remain confined to his personal life. His efforts to uphold dharma (righteousness) transformed the situation into a greater struggle for justice, involving the Vanara Sena and many allies. Ultimately, it became a movement for restoring values and universal well-being (Lok Kalyan).

Telangana Movement: From Regional Injustice to Identity and Self-Respect

        The people of Telangana, too, experienced a prolonged sense of neglect and lack of representation in a united Andhra Pradesh. The struggle was not based on hatred or conflict, but on the genuine aspiration for identity, respect, and self-determination. After years of peaceful protests, sacrifices, and democratic efforts, Telangana state was formed in 2014, fulfilling the dreams of countless people. It is a story of dignity reclaimed through unity.

ST Association: A Voice Born from Silent Pain   

        In the Department of Posts, ST employees had long remained under-represented in leadership platforms. While existing structures tried to bring all under one umbrella, over time, many ST employees felt that their voices, concerns, and aspirations were not fully reflected. It was not a matter of blame or confrontation — but a growing realization that our unique identity and issues required our own platform.

        Guguloth Ravi, like many others, quietly endured this reality. But eventually, his personal experiences of being unheard became a source of strength. With positive intent and democratic spirit, he, along with committed colleagues, initiated efforts to form a separate, legally recognized platform for ST employees. After consistent groundwork and lawful process, the All India Postal ST Employees Welfare Association was officially registered on 23.09.2024.

        Importantly, the formation of this association stands firmly on the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India — particularly Articles 15(4), 16(4), 17, 19(1)(c) and 46, which guarantee:

Equality of opportunity in public employment for STs

Right to form associations or unions

Protection against social injustice and all forms of exploitation

Promotion of the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes

This association is, therefore, not just a product of emotion, but a Constitutionally supported initiative, aimed at strengthening the spirit of inclusive governance and social justice.

Ramayana Personal pain of Rama Moral movement for dharma Victory and universal welfare

Telangana Movement Regional neglect Peaceful democratic statehood movement Formation of Telangana

ST Association Feeling unheard Lawful creation of an inclusive platform Voice, dignity and leadership for STs

       In all three journeys, the struggle was not against individuals, but against invisibility, voicelessness, and imbalance. The transformations came through peaceful resolve, inner strength and unity — never through blame or confrontation.

            The birth of the All India Postal ST Employees Welfare Association is not against anyone — it is for ourselves. It is a platform of self-respect, representation and community progress, grounded in the constitutional values of equality, justice and fraternity.

            Like the Ramayana and the Telangana movement, it began with pain but evolved into hope. This is our modern story of transformation — one that honors the past, respects all, and walks forward with truth, unity and dignity.