B.S.A. Swamy

Bokka Sri Atchuthananda Swamy (July 11, 1942 - July 24, 2008), well known as B.S.A. Swamy, was a social justice activist who in his entire life strived for the upliftment of downtrodden sections of Andhra Pradesh people particularly backward classes, Scheduled castes, and Scheduled Tribes through social justice and reservations in politics, judiciary, jobs, and education.

B.S.A. Swamy, a Goud by caste belonging to backward castes in Andhra Pradesh was also the former justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court between 1995 and 2004. During this tenure, having seen the domination of forward castes in judiciary of Andhra Pradesh with just 5 or 6 judges belonging to backward castes prior to him in spite of 55% Andhra Pradesh population belonging to backward castes, he initiated and started Andhra Pradesh Backward Castes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes Advocates Association as a President and instrumental in implementing rule of reservation in appointment to the post of Law Officers in the state of Andhra Pradesh. [ [http://hc.ap.nic.in/ahc/bsasj.html B.S.A Swamy as President of A.P B.C, S.C, & S.T Advocates Association] ]

He was the editor of Mana Patrika magazine. Through this magazine he spread the importance of social justice and reservations for backward castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes of Andhra Pradesh. To spread the message of social justice, and the importance of reservations in education, politics and judiciary he procured a specific vehicle and toured the entire Andhra Pradesh state to reach the weaker sections of the society.

He was also the founder of B.R.M. Memorial Education Society in memory of his father Sri. B.Rama Murthy (B.R.M) to give opportunities for poor and weaker sections of the society for getting educated. [ [http://skmcollege.org/aboutus.htm B.R.M Memorial Educational Society] ]

He was the disciple of Sardar Gouthu Latchanna(Indian freedom fighter who also fought for the upliftment of oppressed and weaker sections of the society) and was chief patron and virtual backbone for starting Gouthu Latchanna Organization For Weaker Sections(GLOW). [ [http://glow-india.org/ B.S.A Swamy chief patron of GLOW] ] . He is also influenced by Narayana Guru, Periyar, Kanshi Ram, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Dr.B. R. Ambedkar which led to the launch of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule institute for Social Justice. Though they were rationalists and were not closely associated with Hindu religion, justice B.S.A. Swamy remained and worked within the boundaries of Hindu religion till he died.

Personal Details

B.S.A. Swamy was born on July 11, 1942 at Mukteshwaram village of Ainavalli mandal in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India.

He did his Bachelors in Science(B.Sc) from S.K.B.R college at Amalapuram and Bachelors in Law(B.L) from Andhra University at Waltair.

He died of a massive heart attack at Nizam institute of Medical Sciences on July 24, 2008 who had earlier undergone a heart bypass surgery. He was survived by wife Smt. Jayalaxmi and one daughter Smt. Sabita Kumari. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/25/stories/2008072559970400.htm Justice B.S.A. Swamy passes away] ]

Career Details [ [http://hc.ap.nic.in/aphc/bsasj.html HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE B.S.A. SWAMY Profile Details] ]

*B.S.A Swamy, after finishing his Bachelors in Law enrolled as an advocate of Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1976 at Hyderabad. He did his apprenticeship in the office of Alladi Kuppu Swamy(former chief justice of Andhra Pradesh high court). He later worked in the chambers of P. Shiv Shanker(former judge of High Court of Andhra Pradesh and also the governor and union minister of India).

* He started his independent practice in High Court from 1974 and worked in all the branches of law ranging from constitutional, civil, labour, company matters, and criminal. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/25/stories/2008072559970400.htm The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Justice B.S.A. Swamy passes away ] ]

*He was the Founder and President of Andhra Pradesh Young Advocates Association between 1970-75 and instrumental in improving their working conditions in the profession.

*He was Legal Advisor to A.P.S.S.I.D.C. between 1975 and 1983.

*He was the general secretary of Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocates Association for 2 Terms between 1976-77 and 1977-78.

*He was the member of Disciplinary Committee, Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh between 1978 and 1983.

* He was the Administrator & Official Trustee of Andhra Pradesh between 1982 and 1983.

*He was the member of Regional Direct Taxes Advisory Committee, Hyderabad between 1983 and 1985.

*He was the member of Telephone Advisory Committee, Hyderabad Telecommunications between 1986 and 1988.

*He was the member of Andhra Pradesh High Court Legal Aid Committee since August, 1992.

*He was the judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court from May 2, 1995 to July 11, 2004.

*He was the general secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party political party in 1990 influenced by Kanshi Ram and Dr.B. R. Ambedkar. Later on, he kept himself away from active politics and started Mahatma Jyotirao Phule institute for Social Justice to move forward as social justice activist to seek and strive for the empowerment of the poor and the weak belonging to backward castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes. [ [http://www.karuthu.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2789&PN=1&TPN=6 B S A Swamy ] ]

* He was also associated with various social and cultural organizations.

* He was an advisor of the National Union of Backward Classes. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122658190400.htm Justice B.S.A Swamy, an advisor of the National Union of Backward Classes] ]

* He was also the member of Weaker Sections empowerment forum which influenced the Andhra Pradesh state politics tremendously according to Kanche Ilaiah(professor at Osmania University). According to Kanche Ilaiah, B.S.A. Swamy will be remembered as one among very few activists who strived for the social development and change among backward castes. He also said that, he always saw zeal and restless desire in B.S.A. Swamy to do something for the welfare of backward castes. He felt sad in losing B.S.A. Swamy before realising his dream of social, political and economical empowerment among backward castes including reservations in judiciary. But the days are not too far away in realising those...which will be a true tribute to B.S.A. Swamy.

* After he retired as High Court judge in 2004, he used to be a frequent participant and speaker at various seminars or protestations related to social justice and reservations.- He demanded the central government of India for reservation of Backward Castes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes lawyers in Judiciary. According to him, current judiciary system is working like a family tree where the current judges appoint the other employees of the court of the same upper class. And he said, the entire judiciary system has become the captive of two or three castes of forward castes with hardly any representation of backward castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes in Supreme Court, High Court, quasi-judicial bodies, commissions, committees or forums. [ [http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080302/899045.html B.S.A Swamy demands reservation in judiciary] ] . He also said the people should have access to the judgements pronounced by the courts.

- He was a member of a people's court jury which found George W. Bush(President of United States of America) guilty in perpetrating terrorism in the name of fighting terrorism and attacking and threatening other countries using the issue of nuclear weapons as a pretext and resorting to human rights violation and large-scale killings of people, including women and children, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq and creating a sense of insecurity in the world. Other members of the jury included human rights activists namely professor Hargopal and Rama Melote. [ [http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/27bush2.htm This People's court finds Bush guilty] ]

- Active speaker and member of Joint Action Committee for Backward Castes in Andhra Pradesh which demands for 50 % reservation for backward castes in the coming elections for Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh and members of Parliament of India. [ [http://www.khojhyderabad.com/news/fullstory.asp?q=79706 BC JAC] ]

- He expressed concerns in discriminating Scheduled Castes in law by denying equal rights to them in law. [ [http://www.mail-archive.com/[e-mail]/msg04284.html Discrimination against Dalits] ]

- He strongly opposed the deliberate inclusion of Kapu caste in Backward Castes by the state government. He criticised the action quoting "Constituent Assembly had made it clear that economic backwardness was not the only criteria to consider castes as backward castes. The caste groups should be identified by trades to qualify as backward castes. The principle of shudras and non-shudras should form the basis of dividing the castes".

He believes that castes should be recognised aS backward castes going by parameters such as poor hygiene, adherence to superstitious beliefs, lack of education, and isolation from village communities. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/26/stories/2007122658190400.htm B.S.A Swamy criticising the attempts in including Kapu caste in backward castes] ]

- He strongly objected the system where judges in India appoint other judges. He strongly lamented on the deliberate attempt of the Supreme Court in not considering the claim of eligible persons from weaker sections of the society for appointment as judges of the supreme court. [ [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/38014 B.S.A Swamy demands the appointment of judges belonging to weaker sections in supreme court] ] [ [http://www.themronline.com/200804mr/page05.html Unfair selection of judges through the system of Collegium] ]

- He never hesitated to complain to President of India, Prime Minister of India or Chief Justice of India when people with charges or inappropriate assets are appointed as Supreme Court judges. [ [http://www.tehelka.com/story_main27.asp?filename=Ne240207Brotherly_pardon.asp Justice B.S.A Swamy objects the appointment of judge in supreme court ] ]

Awards

* He was conferred with K.Veeramani award for social justice instituted by Periyar International(USA) for propagating the message of social justice tirelessly throughout his career. [ [http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/10/stories/2005011002030500.htm B.S.A. Swamy conferred with Veeramani Award] ] .

* He was also conferred with Kalaimamani award by Tamilnadu government for his efforts in upliftment of the weaker sections of society through social justice and awareness programmes.

References

*http://hc.ap.nic.in/aphc/bsasj.html
*http://www.goudsinfo.com/famous-BSASwamy.htm
*http://www.themronline.com/200804mr/page05.html
*http://periyarinternational.com/Dr.K.Veeramani.html
*http://www.bctimes.org/members/member_001.html
*http://eenadu.net/homedisplay.asp?qry1=StateNews&qry2=9&qry4=9&qry3=9
*http://andhrajyothy.com/mainshow.asp?qry=/2008/jul/24main33
*http://www.themronline.com/200804mr/page05.html