VIJAYAWADA: Goparaju Lavanam, the leader of atheist movement and a social reformer passed away in the city Friday morning at the age of 86 years.
He was admitted to a corporate hospital about two weeks ago, after he complained of ill-health. He was on ventilator for the last few days. After the doctors pronounced him dead, his body was taken to Nasthika kendram near Benz Circle for his followers and admirers to pay homage.
Lavanam was a fighter for change in the society. A Gandhian, he preached humanism and fought for social reform. He was greatly influenced by leaders like Mahatmna Gandhi, JP, Vinoba Bhave and Sir Herman Bondi. He preached humanism, atheism in international forum and fought for removal of caste-conflicts in society. All his life, he was a crusader for removal of social inequality.
Born on October 10 in 1930, he led an eventful life. As he was born during salt Satyagraha, he was christened ‘Lavanam’ (meaning salt). His father Goparaju Ramachandra Rao, known as Gora, was a freedom fighter. Following in his father’s footsteps, he took part in the struggle when he was still in teens. Lavanam married dalit poet Gurram Joshua’s daughter Hemalatha. His brother Dr G Samaram is a noted sexologist and former president of IMA.
Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu mourned Lavanam’s death and said that in his death, not only the atheist world but the entire state suffered a huge loss. He recalled that Lavanam had taught people to question, a requisite trait lacking in many.