The Andhra Pradesh government recently paid tributes to Sri Potti Sriramulu on his 123rd birth anniversary in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
About Sri Potti Sriramulu:
- Potti Sriramulu was born on March 16, 1901, in Madras Presidency (present-day Nellore, Andhra Pradesh).
- He pursued higher studies at Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, and the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute in Bombay (Mumbai), earning a Diploma in Sanitary Engineering.
- Initially employed in the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi to join the freedom struggle.
- He participated actively in movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), Salt Satyagraha (1930), Individual Satyagraha (1941-42).
- He was arrested by the British during the Quit India Movement (1942).
Socio-religious movements:
- Sriramulu contributed to socio-religious reforms, participating in village reconstruction efforts in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
- He joined the Gandhi Ashram in Komaravolu, and advocated for Harijan rights through fasting.
- He undertook three fasts to support Dalit (Harijan) entry rights to holy places including Venu Gopala Swamy Temple in Moolapeta, and Nellore.
- He fasted again to receive favourable orders, passed by the Madras government, to further uplift the Dalit community.
- He used to walk wearing placards supporting the downtrodden, in the middle during summer without wearing slippers.
Post-Independence:
- Potti Sriramulu became a pivotal figure in the struggle for a separate Telugu-speaking linguistic state.
- He embarked on a hunger strike in 1952, demanding the creation of Andhra Pradesh, separate from the Madras Presidency.
- He had undertaken fast unto death (‘Amarajeevi’) at Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurthy’s house in Madras on 19 October 1952.
- After the Andhra Congress committee disapproved of his hunger strike, he died on 15 December 1952 at Mylapore.
- After his death, the Prime Minister announced the formation of Andhra Pradesh on 19 December 1952, while given statehood on November 1, 1956.
- The Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District (SPS Nellore) was named after him in 2008.
Ref:Source
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