Left organisations mourn Nityananda Swami

Members of several Left associations and labour leaders have expressed condolences over the death of Nityananda Swami who led farmers movements in Nargund and Saundatti in the 1980s.

He died in a private hospital in Bengaluru on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 78.

“We worked with him in demanding that the government take away additional lands from zamindar and inamdar families in Belagavi district and distribute it among landless. He provided an academic discipline to the movement,” said Krishik Samaj leader Sidagouda Modagi.

Activist and writer from Dharwad Siddanagouda Patil recalled Swami’s contribution in the historic Nargund-Navalgund farmers agitation against betterment levy in the 1980s. He led the movement that led to the creation of a permanent agitation committee for the interests of farmers.

“Swami set up a study circle in Saundatti to encourage the youth to study various ideologies that shaped the world. We participated in the discussions on comparative philosophies and debates at the centre several times. He was a committed leader, passionate activist and curious student of philosophy,” said activist and his long-time friend Dilip Kamat.

Labour union leader G.V. Kulkarni and others have expressed their condolences.

Born in a Christian family in Kalyanpur near Udupi, Swami took his vows and joined the Snanika Aruppanavar Virakta Math in Deshnur of Belagavi district, a Jesuit church, as a monk.

He supported various social movements while involved in the church activities, while wearing saffron robes and embracing Indian culture. He moved away from the church and became a full-time farmers and labour activist.

He was involved in the agitations of farmers and workers in Hangal, Dharwad, Navalgund, Ramdurg, Kittur and Saundatti. He worked with Dalit groups in Gangavati and in other places. He was jailed after a protest in Hangal.

He also served as a leader of the Karnataka Pradesh Raitha Sangha (KPRS), State president of the Karnataka Pradesh Agricultural Workers Union, CPI(M) State Secretariat member, CITU leader and editor of the party magazine in Bengaluru.