Karnataka - Belgaum   

Annu Guruji's birth centenary in January

Staff Correspondent

He was a revered freedom-fighter in north Karnataka

Belgaum: The centenary celebrations of freedom-fighter the late Annu Guruji (B.Y. Deshpande) will be organised by Belgaum District Freedom Fighters' Association here on January 12.

The celebrations will commence from Pachapur, his native village in Hukkeri taluk in the morning. A "freedom fighter jyoti" will be brought from the village to Belgaum, which will be received at Fort Circle by city MLA Ramesh L. Kudachi. This will be followed by a function to be held at Nagnoor Rudrakshi mutt premises, which will be presided over well-known freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy.

Briefing about the celebrations, the former Mayor Siddangouda Patil, BFFA's Belgaum district President S.A. Malagali said the Association has proposed to set up an institution in the name of Annu Guruji to carry forward his campaign against alcoholism and other social evils in this part of the State.

Annu Guruji (January 12 1905 - July 24 1990) was one of the highly revered freedom-fighter in north Karnataka and was known for holding a very high degree of patriotic and moral values and commanded very high respect among the members of public and his followers. He had actively participated in civil disobedience movement and along with the late Ramachandra Wadavi and Baburao Thakur organised meetings and processions, sold contraband salt in different parts of the district and courted arrest in April-May 1930.

Of the 16 underground the emerged during that time, Annu Guruji was heading the Pachapur and Akkatangerhal units. The British regime had announced a reward of Rs. 5,000 for his arrest.

Before his death, Annu Guruji was associated with social services in the field of education and social reforms and advocated equal rights to Dalits. Along with late Jayadevrao Kulkarni, he led a padayatra with five volunteers in different parts of the district.

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Annu Guruji's birth centenary in January

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