HAVERI: : Mailara Mahadeva of Haveri was the only representative of the then Mysore (Karnataka) state who had participated in the historic ‘Dandi March’ led by Mahatma Gandhi. He achieved martyrdom when the British shot him on April 1, 1943 along with Tirakappa Madivalara and Veerayya Hiremath in Haveri.
Mailara Mahadevappa was born on June 8, 1911 in Motebennur village in Byadgi taluk in Haveri. His mother was a great patriot who had been imprisoned for the cause. Locals in Haveri say Gandhi invited Mahadeva to be a part of ‘Dandi March’.
“The main object of Satayagraha was truth, non-violence, patriotism, purity, control, steadfastness and sacrifice. Gandhiji saw all these qualities in Mahadevappa and invited him to his Sabaramati Ashram for his historic ‘Dandi March’ from Mysore that he undertook in 1930. Gandhiji personally selected 78 young men from all parts of the county and Mahadevappa was one of them and the only representative from Karnataka. He took part in the Satyagraha at the age of 18 years and went to jail along with Gandhiji,” said a senior teacher from Haveri.
Mailara Mahadeva was killed while his group attempted to loot British treasury at Sri Veerbhdreshwar temple in Hosaritti village in Haveri taluk.