Vandemataram Ramachandra Rao passes away

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 28. Renowned freedom fighter, writer and former MLA, Vandemataram Ramachandra Rao, breathed his last here on Wednesday. The death came in his sleep some time around 1 a.m., according to the family members. He was 84. He leaves behind wife, a son and a daughter.

Vandemataram was born in Kyatur Village of Mahbubnagar District and had his schooling in Gadwal. He shifted to Hyderabad when he was 16.

Attracted to Arya Samaj principles, he joined the movement soon to fight the autocratic rule of the seventh Nizam.

Ramachandra Rao got the 'title' Vandemataram following an incident at Osmania University. He was arrested on February 7, 1939, while participating in a satyagraha at Abids and later lodged in Chanchalguda jail. The then DGP of Prisons, S.T. Hollins, an Italian, prohibited singing of, 'Vandemataram' delivering a warning that whosoever did so would be shot dead.

An angry Ramachandra Rao burst out ``Who can stop us from doing so?'' The result was a slap followed by flogging. He was stripped and his hands and legs were chained and a hardened criminal, Dawood Pahelwan,delivered a first stroke with a lathi soaked in water.

The second strike drew blood but did not deter the young determined man from crying 'Vandemataram'. The flogging and the slogan followed each other 24 times.

It was Veer Savarkar who, at a public meeting at Pandharpur, gave him the title ``Vandemataram,'' after coming to know of the incident. Since then, it had become his surname.

He was also involved in the counter-intelligence operation, collecting and passing strategic information to India's agent general in Hyderabad, K.M. Munshi and the Indian Army.

Ramachandra Rao later became the chairman of the International Sarvadesika Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.

Another instance of his popularity was the defeat of Marri Channa Reddy, former Chief Minister, in elections from Medchal in 1962 at his hands.

CM condoles: The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, laid a wreath on the body of Ramachandra Rao and consoled the family members. He said the services of Ramachandra Rao as in independent candidate in the Assembly and head of the Official Language Committee were remarkable. His name was synonymous with nationalism he said recalling his contribution in the struggle against the Nizam.

The State unit of the BJP also condoled the death. In its message, the party said Ramachandra Rao was a valiant soldier of freedom struggle and after liberation of the country and Hyderabad too he struggled to rejuvenate Arya Samaj. Mr. B. Dattatreya, Union Minister for Urban Development, also visited his house at Gosha Mahal and placed a wreath.

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