Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Even at 90, he is ready to lead an agitation

Stoic: Sharanappa Adivappa, one of the founders of the Communist movement in Hyderabad Karnataka region.

GULBARGA: Advancing age or fading energy has not taken away the undying commitment and fire in the eyes of veteran communist leader Sharanappa Adivappa, who is one of the founding fathers of the communist movement in Hyderabad Karnataka region, in the early 1940s.

A veteran of many movements and fondly called “comrade Adivappa”, he has fought injustice and oppression during the Nizam rule and was in the forefront till recently in all public movements against injustices in post-Independence India.

The 90-year-old communist was instrumental in launching the communist movement along with another veteran communist leader late Srinivas Gudi in a tiny house in Brahmpur locality, incidentally owned by Mr. Adivappa himself.

Although Communist Party of India leaders in the district consider him as a father figure, they have stopped involving Mr. Adivappa in agitations because of his failing health and advanced age.

“I am ready to participate in any agitation and will be the first to get arrested... but my comrades have decided to keep me away from all these movements due to my age,” he said. Mr. Adivappa belongs to the old guard of the communist movement which does not believe in sacrificing principles and the philosophy of the party.

“I still believe we should not buckle under the pressure of capitalist-oriented governments which put down people’s movements or undermine movements through inducements of power and money.”

Mr. Adivappa said, “The communist movement has suffered a setback in the district and it is not the same CPI it was two decades ago. We need new blood which is committed to the cause of the downtrodden and the voiceless.”

Mr. Adivappa is yet to get recognition as a freedom fighter. “To get freedom fighter pension or other benefits, I have to “grease palms” of bureaucrats and middlemen...which is against my principles.

I do not have any regrets for not getting these benefits. Also, I had not fought against the Nizam for any personal benefits...it was a war against an oppressor and aimed at protecting the people.”

Mr. Adivappa still lives in his modest three-room house built with boulders and limestone mortar several decades ago and his only income is Rs. 2,000 he gets as rent from a portion of his house.

“I am happy with whatever I have and fortunately, all my children are of good character,” he said.

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