Mangaluru: The 166th birth anniversary of social reformer Kudmul Ranga Rao, a torchbearer for Dalit empowerment, was commemorated at his memorial in Babugudda, Attavar, by members of the Kudmul Ranga Rao Education Trust and BJP Mangaluru South.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta and Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath paid floral tributes, hailing Rao as a trailblazer who peacefully led a strong social transformation in coastal Karnataka.
Kamath highlighted that Ranga Rao, born into a Saraswat Brahmin family, stood against caste-based discrimination and dedicated his life to educating and empowering Dalits, often at great personal risk. He noted that Mahatma Gandhi himself had once referred to Kudmul Ranga Rao as his guru in matters of social reform.
“Despite fierce opposition, Ranga Rao opened schools for Dalits, promoted equality, and championed dignity for the marginalised,” Kamath said, adding that Rao’s ideals are more relevant today than ever.
The BJP MLA criticised the Congress-led state government for what he called a “complete neglect” of Ranga Rao’s legacy. He alleged that the current government had not organised any official observance and had halted the Rs 3.5 crore memorial upgradation project started under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana during BJP rule.
He said many Dalit communities expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to honour a man who had devoted his life to their upliftment.