Socialist, activist Pa Mallesh dies at 89

Mysuru: Socialist thinker, activist Pa Mallesh passed away here on Thursday. He is survived by three daughters and a son. He was 89.

According to Kannada activist and his close associate SR Sudarshan, Mallesh was at Nrupatunga school till 2.30pm discussing various developmental issues and later returned home for lunch where he complained of uneasiness.

Even though he was rushed to a private hospital, he breathed his last.

His final rites will be held on Friday. His body will be kept at Nrupatunga Kannada school, Ramakrishnanagar between 9am and 10am for public homage, said Sudarshan.

Mallesh, who originally hails from Rangapura in Chitradurga, pursued MA in Kannada from the University of Mysore.

He was actively engaged in socialist movements in Mysuru and was instrumental in bringing Lokanayak Jayaprakash Narayan to Mysuru. Mallesh was also associated with various progressive movements, mainly Dalit and farmers movements. He fought for Kannada language and Karnataka and was at the forefront of agitations related to Kannada language in Mysuru. He was also actively involved in environment and secular movements in Mysuru. In 1989, he had contested the Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully.

Former CM Siddaramaiah condoled his death. In a tweet, the Congress leader stated that he is shocked by his sudden demise.