Mysuru: The Mysuru City and District Freedom Fighters Association observed the 80th anniversary  of ‘Mysore Chalo’ movement at Freedom Fighters Park in Subbarayanakere here on Oct. 24.

Speaking on the occasion, Association President Y.C. Revanna said, the ‘Mysore Chalo’ movement, launched in September 1947, was a prominent political agitation by the Mysore State Congress, demanding a democratically accountable and responsible Government in the Princely State of Mysore.

“The movement aimed to end the absolute monarchy of the Maharaja of Mysore and establish an elected, popular Government, an interim Ministry, a Constitutional Committee and the release of political prisoners. The campaign gained major traction around Sept. 4, 1947 following India’s Independence on Aug. 15, 1947, as the Maharaja and his Dewan (Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar) initially delayed full transfer of power. But eventually bowing to public pressure, the last Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamaraja Wadiyar agreed to the demands on Oct. 24, 1947 and subsequently, K.C. Reddy was sworn-in as the first Chief Minister of Mysore State on Oct. 25, 1947,” Revanna  explained.

Earlier, a march was taken out from the Freedom Fighters Park to nearby Ramaswamy Circle, where  tributes were paid to Ramaswamy, a high school student who tragically lost his life in Police firing when crowds gathered at the spot.

Association Working President Yogananda E. Narayan, Secretary Ravi, Kannada Pandit Aradhya and others were present.