Kothapalli Jayashankar

As a young student of intermediate, he walked out of his class in protest against state reorganisation in 1952. He also started in a bus to participate in 1952 Mulkhi Agitation. Then, in 1962, he was part of a campaign which rocked the region. He joined the movement for a separate Telangana state in 1952, when he was a student leader.

As a lecturer, in 1968, he participated in the revived agitation. He carried out his struggle for Telangana through research and academic studies, and by educating people on the cause. He is known as the original Telangana ideologue. He led several agitations since 1962, transforming into a mass movement after 1969 agitation.

He was associated with the Telangana movement efforts to obtain statehood for Telangana since 1952, stating with Non-Mulki go back and Idli Sambar go back movement. He wanted the "Puri Muttor" to populate the lands of Telangana. In 1969 Jayashankar formed a strong team with about ten members, in consultation with Prof. Rawada Satyannaraya, to contribute as intellectuals during the fight for Telangana and not be Silent Spectators any more. To name a few of them are Prof. Anand Rao Thota, Prof. Parmaji and Prof. Sreedhara Swamy. While many of them died, two of them are fortunately alive and they now are Prof. Parmaki and Prof. Sreedhara Swamy. Sreedhar was Jayashanker's childhood classmate, a best friend and well wisher, both of them studied in Warangal, did MA together at Benaras Hindu University. Prof. Sreedhara Swamy he was very active during formation of Telangana State and was awarded, "Uttama Vidya Vetha" by Hon'ble Chief Minister, Telanagana, Sri. KCR during first anniversary celebration of formation of Telangana for the immense contribution he did as a Teacher for Telangana.

Prof. Jayashankar then started Telangana Janasabha. It was banned by the Indian government. He authored a large number of articles and research papers, in English and Telugu, on various aspects of the Telangana Problem.

He was instrumental in forming the Telangana Development Forum (TDF, USA) in 1999. He was invited by the American Telugu Association (ATA) US, to speak about the Problems of regional disparities in Andhra Pradesh in July 2000 and July 2002. He was invited by the Telangana Development Forum (TDF) USA to give a series of lectures on various facets of the Telangana Movement in ten major cities of the United States during July/August 2000.

At the time of his death, he was the Chairman of Centre for Telangana Studies which is engaged in research and publication relating to problems of Telangana. He is the founder member of Telangana Aikya Vedika and was on its Executive Committee.

It was Jayashankar who offered lime juice to the TRS president when the latter broke his famous fast for Telangana in December 2009.

He use to say about Telangana people Etti kaina, Matti kaina manode undala meaning, for lighting the pyre or for farming, it should be our people.

Professor Jayashankar was Registrar of the then Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL) before being appointed Vice-chancellor of Kakatiya University in 1991.[7][8]

(i) Taught Economics and supervised research at Doctoral Level.
(ii) Made in-depth studies on the problems emanating from regional disparities in the levels of development with special reference to A.P.
(iii) Has to his credit a large number of papers published in the areas of Economic Development and Educational Economics.

• Vice-Chancellor of Kakatiya University, Warangal (1991–94)
• Registrar of Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad (1982–91)
• Registrar of Kakatiya University, Warangal (1979–81)
• Principal of CKM College, Warangal (1975–79)
• Board of Governors: Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad
• Board of Governors: Regional Engineering College, Warangal
• Planning Board: Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala
• Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education
• Search Committee: For appointing the Vice-Chancellor of Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad
• Several Working Groups: Constituted by the University Grants Commission
• Senate: Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Academic Council: Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Senate: Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Academic Council: Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Academic Senate: Kakatiya University, Warangal
• Governing Body: SLNS College, Bhongir (also was its chairman)
• Governing Body: Lal Bahadur College, Warangal
• Governing Body: Sardar patel College, Secunderabad
• Advisory Board: Life Insurance Corporation of India

Organizational:

• President, and also general secretary: Government College Teachers’ Association, A.P.
• General secretary: Telangana Government College Teachers’ Association
• Member of the National Executive: All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations
• Started Telangana Regional Teachers Union in May, 2000. (TRTU).