Jaya Gopal, popularly known as ‘Andhra Periyar’, passes away in Visakhapatnam

Jaya Gopal, popularly known as ‘Andhra Periyar’, passes away in Visakhapatnam. Family members donate body to Andhra Medical College; founder of Atheist Society of India and Scientific Student Federation, Jaya Gopal was the first recipient of ‘Brave Mind’ award in the country.

Family members of Jaya Gopal, popularly known as ‘Andhra Periyar’, who died at his residence at Arilova here on Wednesday, handed over his body to the Andhra Medical College on Thursday.

Family members, friends and followers of Dr. Gopal took the body in a procession from his residence to the medical college, where the medical staff received it for research and study purposes of the medicos. His eyes were donated to an eye institute, the family members said.

Founder of the Atheist Society of India and Scientific Student Federation, Dr. Jaya Gopal was the first recipient of ‘Brave Mind’ award in the country.

On February 13 in 1972, he had founded the Atheist Society and worked for the spread of the atheist and rationalist movement not only in unified Andhra Pradesh but also in eight other States.

Dr. Jaya Gopal had taken up several movements against attacks on Dalits and worked for elimination of superstitions. “His efforts brought some changes in society,’ the family members said.

V.S. Krishna of Human Rights Forum condoled the death of Jaya Gopal.