Bhagya Reddy Varma

Bhagya Reddy Varma (22 May 1888 – 18 Feb 1939) was an Indian political leader, social reformer, activist, and businessman. He fought against untouchability in the Hyderabad State.

Early life

Reddy was born in the princely Hyderabad State to Madare Venkaiah and Madare Ragmamba. Inspired by Jyotirao Phule, he raised his voice against discrimination by upper castes. Eventually, he established Adi Hindu ("Original Hindu"), a social organisation, to bring awareness in the dalits. He formed a group called Jagan Mitra Mandali in 1906, which involved Harijans and Malas, and started telling stories by 'Hari Katha' (popular folklore). In 1910, he started to educate dalit children from his own expense. In a short span of time he able to run 25 centres with 2000 students.

• 1911 Adi Hindu social services started
• 1912 promoted Buddhism

In 1917 in a conference at Vijayawada 'Pratam Andhra - Adi Hindu' meeting was held. In the same year Bhagya Reddy Vermas's speech was very much attracted Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's attention at 'Akhila Bharata Hindu' round table conference in Calcutta. In 1919 a meeting held with Jangamulu, Dasulu, Mulnavasi, for the Adi Hindu beneficial program. The purpose of this event is to resolve the internal issues in Dalit community; he insisted the panchayat court system to be rebuilt. In 1925 Adi Hindu Hand skills exhibition was held to showcase the dalits skills to the world. Bhagya Reddy also campaigned on many social issues like Child Marriage, Black Magic, Women Education, Alcohol prohibition etc. His work was spread to neighboring states Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra, from their as well people joined voices and followed the revolution. In 1930 in an historical speech he announced to take the dalit issues to the British notice in the upcoming All India Round Table Conference at Lucknow in the same year. He supposes to send BR Ambedkar to lead the group. The agenda was to recognize the dalits as Adi Hindu rather panchmilarnulu (untouchables), mala, madiga.

In 1931 the Nizam government has come forward to agree the demands of Reddy, and registered the dalits as Adi Hindus in the general elections. Nizam Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII praised Reddy for his social work, and recognised it with an award. Later, the Nizam appointed him as chief adviser to his government. Adi Hindu Bhavan, at Chadarghat, Hyderabad, has been the platform for the many revolutionary meetings.

Bhagya Memorial Girls High School at Esamia Bazar, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana, which he started in 1913 is still functioning.

Devadasi Movement

Reddy had launched a movement against devadasi pratha, forcing the Nizam to declare it a crime.

During the Telangana Movement in 2009, the students of Telangana region renamed the G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium as Bhagya Reddy Varma Stadium.

Honour

Arya Samaj in 1913 organised a function to honour him with the title Varma.

References