Venkataiah Srinivasa Prasad (6 August 1947 – 29 April 2024) was an Indian politician from the state of Karnataka, who was recognised as an important Dalit leader in the old Mysore region.
[8] Prasad entered electoral politics in 1974, in the by-election to Krishnaraja segment as an independent, to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
[1] He contested the 1999 election and won with a Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) ticket, before joining the Samata Party, headed by George Fernandes.
[10] In the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led union government formed by the National Democratic Alliance that his party was a part of, Prasad served as the Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, between 1999 and 2004.
Prasad denied his involvement and stated that he was in Mysore during that time and that he "had filed a suit and the news portal later made it clear that they were mistaken.
[25] The Chief Minister of Karnataka and Prasad's former colleague, Siddaramaiah, condoled his death and stated: "The departure of the leader who lived the struggle against injustice and inequality is a big setback for the political struggle for social justice in the state."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated: "He was a champion of social justice, having devoted his life to the welfare of the poor, downtrodden and marginalised.
"[26] As a mark of respect, the government of Karnataka declared a one-day holiday in the districts of Mysore and Chamarajanagar.