Seventy-nine years ago, a 17-year-old boy stood defiantly with the Indian tricolor in his hands—and paid for that act of courage with his life. On Sunday, Mysuru paused to remember Banavara Ramaswamy, a young martyr whose death became a catalyst for democracy in a region still under royal rule.

Year of Death1947
Age17
LocationMysuru

A Defiant Stand for Freedom

On September 13, 1947, Ramaswamy—a student at Hardwicke School—joined protesters at what was then called Five Lantern Circle. They were part of the ‘Mysuru Chalo’ movement, demanding independence from the Mysuru Kingdom, which had not yet joined a free India. The district collector ordered Ramaswamy to drop the flag. He refused. He was shot.

Even as India celebrated independence on August 15, Mysuru remained a royal province. The tricolor had not flown here. Ramaswamy’s death intensified the struggle, leading to the end of Mysuru’s administration on October 24, 1947.

Legacy of Courage

Five Lantern Circle was later renamed Ramaswamy Circle in his honor. His story isn’t just history—it’s a lesson in bravery. As AIDSO’s Swathi noted, his courage should inspire today’s youth to speak against injustice.

On Sunday, representatives from AIDSO, AIDYO, and AIKKMS gathered to honor his memory. They stood where he fell, remembering the boy who held a flag and changed a city.

In MemoryA young life lost, a democracy gained—Ramaswamy’s legacy endures in Mysuru’s streets and spirit.