In news : Recently, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of Laxman Nayak in India’s freedom=m struggle and his Gandhian methods
About Laxman Nayak
- He was a was a tribal civil rights activist of Bhuyan tribe of Odisha
- Birth: He was born in the village of Tentuliguma in Koraput district on 22nd November 1899 in a Bhumia family
- His father Padlam Nayak was a tribal chief and ‘Mustadaar’ under ‘Jeypore Samasthanam’ in the then Madras Presidency.
- He united the tribal people against the British oppression, revolted against revolted against the authority, and unleashed rebellion
- With the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, he joined the Non-Cooperation movement at the age of 22
- As influenced by Gandhi’s principles, he carried a charkha, with the message of adult education and abstinence from alcohol to every tribal household of his area and brought about a total change in the rural scenario.
- He became the leader of mission in the Congress campaign in the Koraput Sub-division during the first ever election in 1936.
- He came in contact with rebellious leaders like Sitaram Raju and Chandra Kutia. Along with them he revolted against the local tahsildar, who was oppressing the poor farmers of the area
- In 1936, the Raja of Jeypore made lavish arrangements to welcome Sir John Hubback, the governor of Orissa to Koraput. Rice, Hens, cows were snatched from village to village, labourers were picked up to help the government party in conducting tiger hunting.
- Healthy cattle were chosen as tiger baits. Laxman was deeply hurt by this. He considered this as a plunder by the government. He accompanied friend Nilakantha Patra for an audience with Radhakrishna Biswasroy, the president of the district congress committee, and told him about the plight of the people. Biswasroy suggested them to send a letter to a news-paper
- All the matter was brought out in a news paper, and every where it aroused a sharp reaction against these illegal activities
- After this incident, Laxman became popular among those rustic villagers
- In this district wide movement in Koraput Laxman took the leadership in Quit India movement started in 1942
- Death: Being the victim of a false conspiracy lodged against him, he was sentenced to death and hanged.
Source: PIB
