Damodaram Sanjivayya holds many distinctions—India’s first Dalit Chief Minister, first Dalit President of Congress party and the youngest Chief Minister of any Telugu state, a record unbroken till date. On May 8, on his death anniversary, tributes poured in for the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.
The official handle of Indian National Congress put out a post, “Remembering Damodaram Sanjivayya, the first Dalit Congress President and former CM of Andhra Pradesh, known for his visionary leadership. He broke barriers and remained deeply committed to empowering marginalized sections and addressing the challenges faced by India’s working population.”
Sanjivayya was born in 1921 in Kurnool district in the backward Rayalaseema region of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. Struggles shaped his life right from an early age as he lost his father at a very young age. His family was steeped in poverty and couldn’t afford a proper uniform. Even then, he excelled in education at every level and went on to participate in freedom struggle. Sanjivayya graduated in law from Madras Law College. Known for his integrity, strategical mind and intellectual prowess, he soon stepped into politics. In 1960, he rose to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, at a very young age of 38.
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As CM, he introduced a slew of progressive welfare measures like distributing land for the landless people, promoting Telugu literature, improving health and education infrastructure and introducing policies that helped the downtrodden and the SC’s and ST’s. His national role also tested his mettle. He also held important portfolios like labour and employment as a union cabinet minister.
At a time, when the country is locked in a conflict with its neighbour with Operation Sindoor underway, Sanjivayya’s temperament and his contribution during a similar crisis of the past becomes relevant. In 1962, Sanjivayya was elected as the first Dalit president of the Congress at a time when the party was steering India through a volatile terrain. He was helming the party when the India-China war broke out and he rallied the Congress cadre and the population behind Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, calling for national unity and sacrifice in the face of Chinese aggression. He ensured that the party didn’t falter even when the country grappled with one of its toughest military challenges. Congress continues to count him as timeless icons of the party. He died while serving as the president of the party for the second term.
However, the irony of his legacy is hard to miss. His grandson, Sridhar Gandhi, made headlines in the recent past as he was featured and interviewed by a wide section of Telugu media. He worked as a private security guard in Kurnool. In a video that went viral, he was seen in uniform, calmly stating that he is content with his simple life and has no political aspirations. Simplicity and dignity seems to run in the family as Sanjivayya was also known to simply take walks or immerse himself in literature in his free time without worrying about amassing wealth or holding on to power. In today’s world of politics where pomp, show and wealth is a marker of a powerful politician, Sanjivayya’s family stands out as a rare breed.
