79th martyrdom day of Banavara Ramaswamy observed in Mysuru

The 79th martyrdom day of Banavara Ramaswamy, who fought and died for the establishment of democracy in Mysuru, was observed in the City on Sunday. On September 13, 1947, Ramaswamy, a 17-year-old boy, was shot by the then District Collector for defying his orders to drop the tricolour he was holding in his hand.

According to a statement by AIDSO, Ramaswamy, then a student of Hardwicke School, was part of the protesters, who had gathered at the then Five Lantern Circle demanding the release of the leaders arrested as part of the ‘Mysuru Chalo’ agitation demanding independence from royal rule.

Even though the entire country got independence, the then Mysuru Kingdom did not get independence on August 15 and the tricolour had not been unfurled on the day of Independence, the statement said. Mysuru Chalo was launched in protest against the ‘Kingdom of Mysuru’ remaining an independent province.

After Ramaswamy was shot by the then District Collector, the Five Lantern Circle was renamed as Ramaswamy Circle in memory of the brave boy, the statement said. AIDSO’s Mysuru District vice president Swathi, in a statement, said administration of Mysuru Kingdom ended on October 24, 1947 after the struggle took an intense turn.

“Ramaswamy’s courage and brave struggle should be an inspiration for today’s students and youth to raise their voice against injustice,” she said. On this occasion, Basavaraju of AIKKMS farmers organisation, Ranjith and Poornima of AIDYO youth organisation, and AIDSO office bearers Chandana, Chandrika, Hema, Disha, Anjali, Deeksha, Teju participated.