Bulusu Sambamurti

Bulusu Sambamurti
President of the Madras Legislative Council
In office
July 18, 1937 – 1942
Preceded by B. Ramachandra Reddi
Succeeded by U Rama Rao
Personal details
Born (1886-03-04)March 4, 1886
Dulla, Andhra Pradesh
Died February 2, 1958(1958-02-02) (aged 71)
Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Nationality Indian
Political party Indian National Congress
Profession Politician
Religion Hindu

Bulusu Sambamurti (March 4, 1886 in Dulla, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh) was an Indian lawyer, politician and freedom-fighter who served as the President of the Madras Legislative Council from 1937 to 1942. He was popularly Known as Maharshi Bulusu Sambamurti.

Early life

Sambamurti was born on March 4, 1886 in the village of Dulla in Godavari district, Madras Presidency.[1] His father Subbavadhanulu was a Vedic scholar. Sambamurti had his schooling in his native village and graduated in Physics from Maharajah's College, Vizianagaram. He worked for a short period as a lecturer before pursuing a course in law. Sambamurti graduated as a lawyer in 1911 and immediately enrolled in the bar at Cocanada.[2] When the Non-Cooperation movement broke out in 1920, inspired by a speech by Konda Venkatapayya Pantulu, he gave up his profession and plunged into the Indian freedom struggle.

In the Indian independence movement

Sambamurti adopted Gandhian principles and ways of life. In 1923, he became a member of the organising committee of the Cocanada session of the Indian National Congress. He became one of the first leaders to demand Purna Swaraj (complete independence).

In April 1930, he participated in a Salt Satyagraha at Chollangi near Kakinada and was arrested on April 18, 1930 and sent to Vellore jail. He stood in the 1937 Madras assembly elections and was successful. The Indian National Congress won the elections and Sambamurti was made President of the Madras Legislative Council.[2] He served from 1937 till 1942 when he resigned due to the outbreak of the Quit India Movement.[2][3]

Bulusu Sambamurti was also connected with the Andhrodyamam (Andhra movement) being a hard and active advocate for a separate Telugu Province comprising Telugu areas in Madras Presidency. When Potti Sriramulu decided to fast unto death at Madras in 1953 on the issue of formation of Andhra province, nobody was prepared to give shelter. Then Sambamurthy placed his residence at his disposal, though all others became beneficiaries later. Potti Sriramulu fasted to death for the state of Andhra.[2] Sambamurthy took to loin cloth discarding shirt in the true Gandhian style.

Having lost his wife and position in public life, he spent his last days in penury at his hometown of Kakinada. Those who adored him earlier, avoided and even ignored him. Hearing about his plight, Govind Ballabh Pant, the then Union minister rendered financial assistance. He died as a neglected patriot. When his daughter applied for financial assistance, powers-that-be in the Secretariat wanted to know who Sambamurthy was.

Death

Sambamurti died on February 2, 1958 at Kakinada at the age of 71.

Government offices
Preceded by
Chair Created		 Speaker of Madras Legislative Assembly
July 15, 1937–July 25, 1942 		Succeeded by

See also

List of Speakers of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly

Notes

  1. ↑ "Stamp on Bulusu Sambamurthy released". The Hindu. March 6, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 S. Muthiah (September 18, 2006). "A bit of hidden history". The Hindu.
  3. ↑ C. R. Narasimhan (1993). Rajagopalachari, a biography. Radiant Publishers. p. 85. ISBN 8170271568, ISBN 978-81-7027-156-7.
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