Prof. Mahantha Devaru Nanjundaswamy (13 February 1936–3 Feb 2004) was a Gandhian leader, scholar and India's leading activist, who advocated for the farmers' rights. He is one of the founders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) in 1980. He was a strong critic of multi-national companies in India and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In 1996, Nanjundaswamy protested the opening of the first McDonald's in Delhi. He also led the ransacking of newly-opened Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in Bangalore.[1] He is an Indian rural activist and anti-globalization campaign leader.[2]

Early life

Prof M. D. Nanjundswamy was born in Mysore to M. N. Mahantha Devaru and Rajammanni. His father was a farmer-turned-lawyer from Madrahalli village in T Narsipura taluka. He was the fifth child of the couple. He was credited to be the first post graduate from Mysore State.[3] After finishing his B.Sc. in Life Sciences in the Mysore University, he pursued graduation in Law at Karnatak University but wanted to become a doctor like his brother, who later became an ENT specialist. As he failed to secure a seat, his parents sent him abroad to the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands to complete his post-graduation in Law. Then he went on to study Constitutional Law in Germany and France before returning to Indian in 1964. Later, he became a professor of law at the University of Mysore and Bangalore University.[4]

Farmers' Movement

As president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (Karnataka State Farmers' Association) he led campaigns against agricultural patenting by multi-national corporations, which he called "Western biopiracy".[5]

On his birth anniversary on 13 February 2023, Prof Yogendra Yadav, founder of Jai Kisan Andolan, remembered Prof Nanjundaswamy and gave a speech about his farmers' movement led by the late leader in Chamarajpet District in Karnataka, where a main road in the central road was named after him.

References

  1. ↑ Cooper, Kenneth J. (4 November 1996). "IT'S LAMB BURGER, NOT HAMBURGER, AT BEEFLESS MCDONALD'S IN NEW DELHI". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  2. ↑ Vidal, John (5 February 2004), "MD Nanjundaswamy", The Guardian.
  3. ↑ "Prof M D Nanjundaswamy". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  4. ↑ Vidal, John (6 February 2004). "MD Nanjundaswamy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ↑ Assayag, Jackie (2005). "Seeds of Wrath: Agriculture Biotechnology and Globalization". In Jackie Assayag, Christopher John Fuller (ed.). Globalizing India: perspectives from below. Anthem Press. pp. 71–73. ISBN 978-1-84331-195-9.


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