E.S. Reddy: Gandhian Scholar and Anti-Apartheid Activist

Summary

E.S. Reddy Festschrift, edited by Jairam Reddy and Selvan Naidoo and published in 2022, honors Enuga Srinivasarau Reddy, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and Gandhian scholar. Born in 1924 in Pallapalli, Andhra Pradesh, Reddy developed an early fascination with Mahatma Gandhi, influenced by his family’s freedom-fighting legacy and his mother’s donation of jewelry to support Harijans. He pursued International Relations and Mathematics in the U.S. but dedicated much of his life to researching Gandhi’s role in South Africa and the anti-apartheid struggle. Reddy joined the anti-apartheid movement in the 1940s and later held key roles at the United Nations, including secretary to the Special Committee against Apartheid and director of the UN Centre against Apartheid, working tirelessly for nearly two decades to dismantle South Africa’s apartheid regime. Recognized globally, he received the Luthuli Nobel Prize in 1961 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Durban in 1995. The Festschrift includes essays from scholars like Ela Gandhi, Ramachandra Guha, and Gopal Krishna Gandhi, who praise Reddy’s intellectual rigor, humility, and contributions to global justice. His extensive research on Gandhi, including rare documents and archival materials, has been donated to libraries worldwide, including the Nehru Memorial Museum and Sabarmati Ashram. Reddy’s life and work, marked by relentless activism and scholarship, are celebrated as a testament to his commitment to justice and democracy. The book, with rare photographs and detailed research, is hailed as a valuable resource for scholars and general readers alike, deserving a place in libraries globally.