Memorial Tribute
Mumbai | 28 August | Rayat Samachar
Today, 28th August, marks the death anniversary of veteran leader of the Communist Party of India, freedom fighter of the Goa Liberation Movement, a prominent warrior of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, and a strong leader of Mumbai’s working-class struggles – Comrade G.L. (Gangaram Lakshman) Reddy, affectionately known as “Anna.”
Participation in Goa Liberation & Samyukta Maharashtra Movement:
He bravely participated in the liberation of Goa. Joining the CPI contingent that liberated Dadra and Nagar Haveli, he launched satyagraha in Goa, facing brutal assaults and imprisonment by Portuguese soldiers. Later, he emerged as a prominent leader in the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, fiercely resisting Morarji Desai’s repressive regime and enduring jail terms in various prisons of Maharashtra.
Fearless Fighter & People’s Anna:
Fear did not exist in his dictionary. Known for directly confronting the police in struggles and fiercely opposing strike-breakers, yet he was also trusted by the same police officers to help resolve their grievances. Whether inside prison or on the streets, he remained a source of strength and inspiration for workers and the masses.
Corporator, Labour Leader & Social Fighter:
Elected as a corporator from Mumbai’s Kamathipura area, he contributed significantly in the BEST Committee and Garden Committee. He led the historic 75-day-long Bidi Workers’ Strike. He was active in the tailoring workers’ union and BEST workers’ union. He organized slum-dwellers and tenants, fought for water supply, photopass, and basic housing rights.
Historian of Movements:
Though his formal education was only up to matriculation, he had an immense appetite for study. His home preserved countless clippings, articles, and rare photographs of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. His archives even aided in engraving martyrs’ names on the Hutatma Memorial.
Link with Dalit Panthers:
His militant friendship with poet Namdeo Dhasal is well known. With Dhasal as corporator in Kamathipura and Reddy alongside, their homes became the hub of the Dalit Panther movement. He was jailed for his role in the Worli riots and the Namantar (renaming) movement.
People’s Support System:
His close association with Dr. Ravi Bapat and his constant efforts to provide medical help to activists made him a true support system for the people.
Life in Prison, Home as a Movement Hub:
He spent nearly 9–10 years of his life in jail – during the freedom struggle, Goa liberation, Samyukta Maharashtra movement, and Mumbai workers’ agitations. While in detention, he married Comrade Tara Korlekar. As Acharya Atre described – “One blazing flame and one glowing ember.”
Simplicity & Ideological Integrity:
He lived all his life in a small 10×16 room of CPI chawl in Khetwadi, without even a bank account until he received the Goa freedom fighter pension. He proudly insisted on writing “Indian” under the religion-caste column.
Voice Against Injustice:
One of his most inspiring quotes still echoes among activists –
“Whether the oppressor is one or fifty, I will confront him head-on – and tear his spare parts out, right into his own hands!”
Such was the fearless, simple yet militant personality of Comrade G.L. (Anna) Reddy – a pillar of people’s struggles. On his death anniversary, we pay our humble Red Salute.