Kadidal Manjappa

Kadidal Manjappa (1908–1992) was the third Chief Minister of Karnataka (then, Mysore State) for a short period of time in 1956 (19 August 1956 – 31 October 1956).

Kadidal Manjappa

He hailed from the village of kadidal in the nature rich Tirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district from a Vokkaliga Community.[1] He did his graduation from the Maharaja's College, Mysore and obtained his law degree from the Poona Law college.

Manjappa was a freedom fighter and a true Gandhian who led many struggles in the state for probity in public life.[2] He served as a minister in various central and state governments for 32 years. He played an important role in initiating land reforms in the early 1950s by introducing laws related to the abolition of absentee landlordism and recognition to the right of cultivators. He is remembered for introducing the Tenancy Act. Several other progressive acts like the Inam abolition act came into being because of vision. He joined protests against emergency excesses in 1976 and later, headed the Karnataka state unit of "Congress for Democracy" floated by Babu Jagjivan Ram.[3][4]

Manjappa had also penned three novels and an autobiography titled 'Nanasagada Kanasu' (An Unrealised Dream). The Former Langford Road in Bengaluru has been renamed as "Kadidal Manjappa Road" in his honor. His centenary celebrations were held in 2008.[1][5]