Bhagya Reddy Varma
| Bhagya Reddy Varma | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 22, 1888 Hyderabad State, India |
| Died |
February 18, 1939 (aged 50) Hyderabad, India |
| Occupation |
Educational Activist Social Reformer Modern Thinker Deccan Revolution Leader Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Madare Ragmamba |
Bhagya Reddy Varma (May 22, 1888 – Feb 18, 1939) was an Indian political leader, social reformer, activist, and businessman. He fought against untouchability in the Hyderabad State.
Early life
Varma was born to a Dalit, Mala caste family in the princely Hyderabad State to Madare Venkaiah and Madare Ragmamba. Inspired by Jyotirao Phule, he raised his voice against discrimination by upper caste. Eventually, he established Adi Hindu ("Original Hindu"), a social organization, to bring awareness in the dalits. He formed a group called ‘Jagan Mitra Mandali’ involved of Harijans and Malas, and started telling stories by ‘Hari Katha’ (popular folklore). At the end of the each program Bhagya Reddy Varma used to speak conclusively,” to get educate, dalits are not untouchables; they are backbone of this country hence we are Adi Hindu”. In the year 1910 Bhagya Reddy Varma started to educate dalit children from his own expenses. In a short span of time he able to run, 25 centers 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 MK 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 Consumption 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 Bhagya Reddy Varma, and registered the dalits as Adi Hindus in general elections. Nizam Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII praised Bhagya Reddy for his social work, and recognized it with an award. Later, the Nizam appointed him as chief advisor to his government. Adi Hindu Bhavan, at Chadarghat, Hyderabad, has been the platform for the many revolutionary meetings. Bhagya Reddys Verma’s dream was to bring progress in dalit families, for which he struggled, fought and starved till his last breath. In his mark, Bhagya Memorial Girls High School at Esamia Bazar, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana which he started in 1913 is still functioning. In modern days also the upper communities have never bothered to recognize his work and failed to tell about his gracious history to the coming generations.
Jagan Mitra Mandali
In 1906, he started Jagan Mitra Mandali to educate dalits through popular folklore.
Devadasi Movement
Bhagyareddy 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.