Amara Sullia Rebellion should be considered India's first freedom struggle: MLA Vedavyas Kamath

Mangaluru: It is unfortunate that the Amara Sullia Rebellion against the British in 1837 has not been recognised as India’s first struggle for freedom, opined MLA Vedavyas Kamath.

He was addressing the Tiranga Yatra held on Sunday, August 14 as part of the 75th year of independence celebrations at Bikarnakatta, where the revolutionaries of the Amara Sullia rebellion were hanged.

Talking about the rebellion, Kamath said that the Amara Sullia revolutionaries defeated the Bristish and hoisted the first flag at the Bavutagudde for 13 days. Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda, Guddemane Appaiah Gowda, Kattimane Appaiah Gowda, Subraya Hegde, Kalyanappa, Bangarasu, Manjaiah emerged as the leaders o f the rebellion.

The Amara Sullia revolutionaries were later defeated in the subsequent fights. Kalyanappa, Bangarasu, Manjaiah, Beeranna, and Muthana who led the struggle were gruesomely hanged at Bikarnakatta. Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda was exiled abroad. Guddemane Appaiah Gowda was hanged in Madikeri. Kattimane Appaiah Gowda was a martyr, MLA Kamath said.

Similarly, Rani Abbakka of Ullala, who fought against the Portuguese for freedom, should also be remembered, he added.

Vedavyas Kamath said that the British had tried to suppress history by passing a gag order about the mention of Amara Sullia Rebellion anywhere and in any form. But necessary steps are being taken to ensure that the forgotten memories and sacrifices of Amar Sullia rebellion to immortalized. A statue of Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda will be installed in Bavatagudde soon, he said.