Bhagya Reddy Varma (Telangana)

Bhagya Reddy Varma (1888–1939) was a pioneering social reformer and Dalit leader from Hyderabad State, India, who devoted his life to fighting caste oppression and promoting social justice. Born into a marginalized Dalit community, Varma experienced firsthand the hardships of untouchability, which inspired his lifelong commitment to equality. He organized communities to challenge caste discrimination, advocated for Dalit education, and encouraged self-respect and social mobility among the oppressed.

Varma was instrumental in forming the Adi-Hindu movement in Hyderabad, which sought to unite Dalits under a common identity and work toward social reform. He championed inter-caste marriage, access to public spaces, and the eradication of untouchability, emphasizing dignity and equality for all humans. His advocacy extended to promoting literacy and political awareness among Dalits, laying a foundation for their participation in broader social and political life.

Though not formally associated with the global humanist movement, Varma’s emphasis on rational social reform, human dignity, and equality places him firmly within a humanist tradition. His work inspired subsequent generations of Dalit activists and reformers, leaving a lasting legacy in the struggle for social justice in India.