Arige Ramaswamy, a noted social activist, politician and social reformer.

Arige Ramaswamy
Born1885
Died1973
Occupation(s)Political Leader
Social Reformer
SpouseRajamma (m.1921) Lalitabai (m.1929)

Early life

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Born on 1895 in a Mala family to Arige Balayya at Ramankole, Hyderabad State (now Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh). He also worked as ticket collector in Nizam's railways.[1]

He was follower of Achala Siddhanta and also the Brahmo Samaj. He founded Sunitha Bala Samajam and carried out social reform among the Dalits.

Movement

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He worked along with Bhagya Reddy Varma, S. Venkat Rao and other activists, who organized the Dalits in the early 20th century.[2] Recognising the socio-economic backwardness of Madigas, he formed the Arundhatiya Association for their welfare.

Ramaswamy married a Madiga boy with a Mala girl, which was opposed by Bhagya Reddy Varma and the community members.[3] In 1922, he established Adi Hindu Jathoyonnathi Sabha.

Politics

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Later, he joined INC and became Joint Secretary in Telangana Congress and been Minister in state govt. He was also associated with "Grandhalaya (library)" movement.[4]

He died on 23 January 1973 at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

References

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  1. ^ Kshīrasāgara, Rāmacandra (1994). Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-85880-43-3.
  2. ^ Sachdeva, Vivek; Pradhan, Queeny; Venugopalan, Anu (9 April 2019). Identities in South Asia: Conflicts and Assertions. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-62779-8.
  3. ^ Teltumbde, Anand (31 January 2020). Hindutva and Dalits: Perspectives for Understanding Communal Praxis. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-81345-51-1.
  4. ^ India, The Hans (16 December 2017). "Highly Decorated Personalities". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2 June 2020.