Remember Bhagya Reddy Varma (May 22, 1888 – July 2, 1950) the “Father of Dalit Movement in Andhra Pradesh” on his birth anniversary 22nd May. His original name was Madari Bhagaiah and he was the founder of Adi Hindu Movement in Andhra Pradesh. Bhagya Reddy Varma was born in a Dalit, Mala caste family in the princely Hyderabad State to Madari Venkaiah and he was inspired by Jotiba Phule.

While in the society children were ignored and discarded, Bhagya Reddy Varma founded around 26 schools in around Hyderabad region for Dalits.

He established Dalit panchayat courts to settle disputes among Dalits.

He chaired All India conference of Schedules Castes held at Lucknow on 27, 28 December 1930, to support and send a delegation to Round Table conference. Babasaheb Ambedkar was present at this meeting. In 1931, the Nizam government agreed to the demands of Bhagya Reddy Varma and registered Dalits as Adi Hindus in the census.

In 1906, he started Jagan Mitra Mandali to educate Dalits through popular folklore. Mandali worked on the social consciousness among untouchables. Later in 1911, he founded Manya Sangham, which tried to create awareness among untouchables through literature and lectures. Various slogans were popularised by him such as ‘Dalits are the backbone of this country’ to ‘we are not Hindu but Adi-Hindu’, which energised and motivated Dalits in the region.

Bhagya Reddy Varma had launched a movement against Jogini and Devadasi system, forcing the Nizam to declare it a crime. He championed for many other social causes such as he campaigned against child marriage, black magic and for alcohol prohibition etc.

His work and ideas of equality have been ignored by so-called upper castes who have written history according to their own will. We must preserve our history and celebrate those heroes who have worked for Dalit-Bahujans.

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