HYDERABAD: Humanity and human values were the oft repeated words when speakers recalled their association with the late IAS officer, SR Shankaran, at a condolence meeting here today.
The meet was jointly organised by the Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) and the Bharatiya Gnana Vignana Samstha (BGVS).
Prof. Haragopal said SR Shankaran was a symbol of humanity. “His life was like a clinical demonstration of it,” Haragopal said while recalling his 10 years of association with the late bureaucrat and rights activist.
Retired IAS officer KR Venugopal, who was the first to see Shankaran dead when he took him lunch around 1:00 p.m on October 7, observed that Shankaran was a rare personality.
“He is an Ambedkarite, Gandhian and Marxist all rolled into one. Hindu society owes an apology to dalits for the injustice inflicted on them for ages. I can say Shankaran’s life constitutes that apology. He lived a life of penance,” he said.
He stressed the need for institutionalising the values he stood for. AP SC Welfare Association general secretary Shankar termed Shankaran the heartbeat of dalits.
BGVS national president Krishna Kumar, KVPS general secretary John Wesley, MLC Balasubrahmanyam, KVPS general secretary John Wesley and Nandagopal were among those who spoke.