The Urs Era NS Shankar The Urs Era Tr: SR Ramakrishna, SN Deepak D Devaraj Urs Birth Centenary Committee Department of Backward Classes, Devaraj Urs Bhavan III Floor, Millers Tank Bed Area, Vasantanagar, Bengaluru- 560 052 The Urs Era 1 The Urs era- a biograhy of D Devaraj Urs written by NS Shankar Translated by SR Ramakrishna and SN Deepak Published by: D Devaraj Urs Birth Centenary Committee, Department of Backward Classes, Devaraj Urs Bhavan, III Floor, Millers Tank Bed Area, Vasantanagar, Bengaluru- 560 052 Book Design: NS Shankar Pages: 114+4 First print: 2018 © Department of Backward classes Disclaimer: the views expressed in this book are author’s alone. Either the government or the D Devaraj Urs birth centenary committe or the Department of backward classes are in no way to be held responsible. The Urs Era 2 ¹zÀÝgÁªÀÄAiÀÄå «zsÁ£À¸ËzsÀ ªÀÄÄRåªÀÄAwæ ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ-560 001 ¢£ÁAPÀ: 12.07.2016 ¹JA/¦J¸ï/120/2016 Preface In celebrating the birth centenary of former Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs, it is the intention of the government to introduce to the new generation, the life and achievements of that illustrious leader who strove for the over all progress of the state. Seminars, publication of books, training camps for youth, plays, ballets- these are all planned for a whole year as part of the centenary celebrations. Devaraj Urs was a mass leader who emerged from among the people. Though he did not experience untouchability, inequality and humiliations first hand, he willed to uproot this inhuman system and succeeded. He firmly believed that unless the doors of power, wealth and opportunities were opened for everyone, development was not possible. That was why he handpicked leaders from backward classes, Dalit and minority communities and nurtured them politically. He achieved equitable distribution of wealth through land reforms. He ensured greater representation to deprived classes through reservation in jobs and education. Many elders’ philosophy has inspired me and guided my political career. D Devaraj Urs occupies a special position The Urs Era 3 among those elders. Like him, I am also a son of Mysuru soil and this is a matter of pride to me. Karnataka has a long history of social justice. Starting from Basavanna to Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar and Devaraj Urs, several great souls have drawn this chariot of justice this far. The onus of taking this further lies on my government and me as Chief Minister. Social justice is a principle close to my heart. I am experiencing how difficult it is to carry the commitment for social change in practical politics. Whenever I feel disheartened, I recall the difficulties faced by Urs and steel myself to move ahead. Devaraj Urs has been a role model to anyone interested in building the state, beyond party or caste. The birth centenary of his that we are celebrating is a tribute paid to him by the entire state. Siddaramaiah Chief Minister The Urs Era 4 ºÉZï.DAd£ÉÃAiÀÄ zÀÆ.¸ÀA. 080- 2235 3104 ¸ÀªÀiÁd PÀ¯Áåt ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 2203 3988 »AzÀĽzÀ ªÀUÀðUÀ¼À PÀ¯Áåt ¸ÀaªÀgÀÄ ºÁUÀÆ PÉÆoÀr ¸ÀASÉå: 340/340/J avÀæzÀÄUÀð f¯Áè G¸ÀÄÛªÁj ¸ÀaªÀgÀÄ 3£Éà ªÀĺÀr, «zsÁ£À¸ËzsÀ ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ-560 001 ¸ÀASÉå: ¸ÀPÀ&»AªÀPÀ¸À:5652/2017 ¢£ÁAPÀ : 20.07.2016 Message D Devaraj Urs was one of the most illustrious chief ministers of the state. He was known as the harbinger of social justice. He identified communities that had no voice and brought them to the mainstream of society. He was a rare visionary who created a new awakening through the Havanur report. When the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi set out to implement programs to empower Dalits, the suppressed, exploited and backward classes through her 20 Point Program, credit should go to Urs for realising her dream. Karnataka was one of the states that implemented the program in a meaningful way. He eradicated many social evils by making land owners of tillers, banning manual scavenging and bonded labour. His revolutionary actions, his social commitment, and his dreams of improving the lot of the suppressed attracted the attention of the nation. I am fortunate I am minister for the welfare of the backward classes during the birth centenary of such a great leader. We are bringing out a series of books to introduce the life and work of Urs to the people of the state, particularly to The Urs Era 5 the future generation. Several distinguished writers, thinkers and achievers have written these books. I express my thanks to all writers, editors, officials and personnel of the department who have helped us in bringing out these books. H Anjaneya Minister for Social Welfare Government of Karnataka The Urs Era 6 From the Centenary Committee Chairman D Devaraj Urs was not just a great politician; he was a wonder in himself, an epitome of reassurance and optimism. He led the state on the path of development from 1972 to 1980. He saw power as an opportunity provided by people for him to improve their lives. The welfare schemes he formulated to provide a life of equality for all in keeping with the aspirations of the Constitution, have immortalised him in the history of the state. His tenure as chief minister was a golden period for the lower classes. His concept of social justice was unique in the entire country. He identified communities exploited for centuries and gave them special opportunities in administration. This made him a visionary statesman. The Government of Karnataka is celebrating his birth centenary through various programs. They began on August 20, 2015, and will go on for a year. The government is making meaningful efforts to introduce Urs to today’s generation. Several of his programs- like the prohibition of manual scavenging, grant of ownership to tillers, reservation of jobs for the backward classes, passing of the loan waiver Act, provision of pensions for the needy and stipends for unemployed youth- were all pioneering programs in the entire country. We are organising events all over the state to mark Urs’ birth centenary. They will help today’s generation appreciate The Urs Era 7 his contributions to the state. Several useful research works are coming out too. We are publishing a variety of books, under the tiles of Arasu Yuga, Odanadi Arasu, Arasu Angana, Arasu Munnota, Vidhana Mandaladalli Arasu, Arasu Chitrakatha Kosha, and Arasu Navayuga Nayaka. On behalf of the D Devaraj Urs Birth Centenary Committee, I thank all writers engaged in this project. Adagur H Vishwanath Chairman D Devaraj Urs Birth Centenary Committee The Urs Era 8 Book Publication Committee’s Note In the history of Independent India, 1970s can be called a significant decade. As prime minister, Indira Gandhi implemented several popular social programs. A new era was ushered in with the 20 Point Program, abolition of privy purses, nationalisation of banks and insurance companies, introduction of land reforms, and eradication of bonded labour. When we evaluate the pros and cons of the Indira era 40 years on, we have to accept it was a period of change. Her name would have shone brighter in history had she not hastily decided to declare Emergency. A great gift of Indira Gandhi to the people of Karnataka was making Devaraj Urs the Chief Minister. Urs who took charge in 1972, introduced several changes in the state over eight years. He gave priority to social justice and worked wholeheartedly for the development of the backward communities. He infused a new confidence among them. He stood for justice among all castes. He wanted to give hope to the poor of all castes and creeds. People from all castes were in his close circle. It is no coincidence that 90% of those who benefited from his social reforms were Dalits, the impoverished, people from the lower castes and the minorities. Before the reforms, 90% of land owners were from the upper castes while the sharecroppers were from the lower strata of society. It The Urs Era 9 must be noted that some beneficiaries of Urs’ land reforms were from the upper castes too. Like the land reforms, many other pro people programs were introduced in Karnataka when Urs was at the helm: abolition of bonded labour, fixing of minimum wages for labourers, waiver of loans, eradication of manual scavenging, grant of old age pensions, stipends for unemployed youths and monthly allowances for the physically challenged. A number of development projects were also implemented. Urs constituted the Havanur Commission and conducted a scientific study of the backward classes to provide reservation for them in government jobs. This was another of his achievements. He also identified able youths from among the deprived classes and made them people’s leaders, thereby challenging the dominance of the upper castes. Urs’ political vision changed politics in Karnataka. Many youths he brought to the limelight are active in the forefront of politics, to this day. He officially changed the name of the state from Mysuru to Karnataka and approved Kannada as the official language. He was instrumental in establishing several academies and providing pensions for writers and artistes. Such measures were pioneering. The tenure of Urs was a period of transition in the history of Karnataka. Society strode towards equality. It is fitting that the Government of Karnataka has decided to celebrate his birth centenary with seminars, plays, music concerts, film and video shows. The publication of books on Urs is equally important. Several books on his life and achievements have already been published. A compilation of his speeches has also come out. We have decided to reprint some of these as part The Urs Era 10 of the celebrations.