Sainath celebrates unsung freedom fighters in ‘The Last Heroes’

Author has a special word for social reformer from Ganjam, Muslim Vellori, remembered for his fiery oratory and lifelong activism

Bengaluru: "In the book, there are Hindus, Muslims, atheistic infidels, so to speak, like Mallu Swarajyam – representing the entire spectrum of Indian society. It was a freedom struggle unlike anything you can imagine in its scale, scope and diversity,” said P. Sainath at a programme on his book The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom in the city on Monday.

The book is dedicated to telling the stories of lesser-known Indian freedom fighters, such as Mallu Swarajyam, a woman from a landowning family in Telangana who fought against the zamindars under the rule of the Nawab; Mohammed Baji, a Congressman who headed the Anti-Cow Slaughter Society in Odisha; and Captain Bhau, a revolutionary who led a train robbery for the Toofan Sena, which supported peasants and workers.

Sainath, while highlighting the diversity of backgrounds and ideals among the freedom fighters, emphasised that they were united in their struggle to free India from British rule – “all except the RSS,” he said, “which ridiculed both the Constitution and the Indian flag after they were proposed.” “Doreswamy was the only educated person – the only one who completed college and became a teacher.

Another, Sankaraiah, was the top student at American College, Madurai. He was jailed fifteen days before his final exam and released only a few hours before independence at midnight,” Sainath recalled. When asked if Sankaraiah regretted missing his exams, he reportedly said, “No, I was very proud to go to prison for my country’s freedom.”

The programme also featured four readings from the book and a video showcasing some of the figures profiled, including a photograph of Mallu Swarajyam holding a rifle. The event additionally saw the launch of a book on Muslim Vellori – born Mohammed Abdul Wahid Khan – a freedom fighter from Ganjam near Srirangapatna.

A well-known figure in the city, he was recognised as a fiery orator and social worker. Written in English by his granddaughter Shakira Khanum, the book recounts his life, his contributions to India’s freedom movement, and his active participation in various social causes. Vellori was also a member of the Mysore Legislative Council.

The event concluded with a question-and-answer session during which Sainath was asked about the history of Constitution-making, inequality and the state of the Left in India. He said that several freedom fighters believed in a socialist, secular and democratic republic, noting that the Directive Principles are deeply socialist in nature.

He added that Dr B.R. Ambedkar did not consider it necessary to include the word “socialist” in the Preamble, as it was self-evident. Sainath further observed that the Left had contributed significantly to the country’s democratic evolution – citing the farmers’ struggle, which he described as the largest movement for justice in the past thirty years, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and initiatives such as the Kerala government’s drive to build libraries in every ward of every panchayat.