Mangalore, June 4: Veteran freedom fighter and well-known leader of the Communist Party of India B.V. Kakkilaya breathed his last in the wee hours of Monday at a private hospital in the city.
“My father breathed his last at 2:00 am”, confirmed Dr B Srinivas Kakkilaya, son of the 93-year-old legend.
Mr Kakkilaya was suffering multiple age-related diseases from past couple of years. He was admitted to the hospital on May 23 after he suffered a brain hemorrhage.
It can be recalled here that despite being unhealthy he had taken part in a protest organised by CPI on May 18 in front of the Office of Deputy Commissioner demanding the release of Mangalore University student Vittala and his father Linganna Malekudiya, who have been in judicial custody on charges of alleged links with naxalites. It was his last public appearance.
Born on April 11, 1919, B.V. Kakkilaya was a member of the Rajya Sabha, a legislator in the Karnataka State Assembly and a prolific writer. He held many important positions in the Party including that of secretary of the Karnataka State party. He was also a much acclaimed trade union leader, who built the AITUC in Karnataka, with M.S. Krishnan.
During his active political career he was keen about upliftment of the poor and backward communities of Dakshina Kannada. During the freedom struggle, he was the voice for coastal Karnataka.
He spent around six years as a prisoner in various jails in Cannanore, Vellore, Bangalore, Ranebennur, Dharwad and Kadalur.
He belonged to a prestigious family from Bevinje in Kasargod district. He joined St Aloysius College in the year 1937 for intermediate studies. He became an active member of the student movement against the British rule. He joined All India Students' Federation to voice his indignation.
He also showed his patriotism and humanism by serving selflessly in the flood-affected areas during his college days.
After the independence he was elected as MLA for two terms in Bantwal and Vittal constituencies from CPI.
When Mr Kakkilaya was the MLA in Vittal constituency between 1978 and '83, Land Reforms Act was enacted in the state. He was a member of Rajya Sabha between 1952 and 54.
He was distressed and frustrated over the communalism and other adverse developments in coastal Karnataka.
He is survived by four sons – Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya (Mangalore), Dr Venkatakrishna Kakkilaya (USA), Dr Harish Kakkilaya (USA), Dr Suryanarayana (UK). His wife Ahalya died in 1998 after a heart attack.
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