16th Dr. K. Balagopal Memorial Lecture held at the KU Senate Hall
WARANGAL, OCTOBER 08, 2026: Students should critically reflect on how human relationships and values are gradually being eroded in society, said renowned social scientist, distinguished academician and committed social activist Prof. G. Haragopal.
Addressing the 16th Dr. K. Balagopal Memorial Lecture held at the KU Senate Hall on Thursday (October 8, 2026) under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Acharya K. Pratap Reddy, Prof. Haragopal spoke on “Relevance of Balagopal’s Writings” after paying floral tributes to Dr K. Balagopal.
Prof. Haragopal described Dr Balagopal as a multi-faceted personality and observed that while values should be passed on from one generation to another, they are gradually declining in contemporary society. Values, he said, are fundamental to human development and an integral part of civilisation, and Balagopal’s writings provided a clear direction in this regard.
He said justice was central to Balagopal’s thought and stressed the need to institutionalise his vision of equality, including equality between men and women. At a time when values, human relationships and social justice are increasingly under question, Balagopal’s writings continue to serve as a guiding light to society, he said.
Human rights, he observed, should not be viewed merely from an individual-centred perspective but also from a society-centred perspective, with universal standards. He emphasised the importance of connecting theory with practice and urged students not merely to read Balagopal’s works but to put his values into practice and think about what they could contribute to society.
Describing Balagopal as a committed human rights activist, Prof. Haragopal recalled his dedication to social welfare and his willingness to set aside his professional career for the larger interests of society. He called for greater social awareness, moving beyond outdated ideologies and embracing contemporary thinking.
Balagopal Laid the Foundation for Human Rights Advocacy Four Decades Ago: Talla Rohith
Talla Rohith, IT professional and HRF activist from Hyderabad, said that Dr. K. Balagopal had laid the foundation for human rights advocacy nearly four decades ago.
Speaking on “Relevance of Balagopal’s Writings”, Rohith said Balagopal viewed welfare and development from a distinct perspective. Welfare, he noted, should not be seen merely as government expenditure but from the broader perspective of development. Welfare is not charity but a right, was one of Balagopal’s clear messages, he said.
Rohith stressed the need to recognise and question human rights violations, inequalities and forms of oppression. He urged the younger generation, particularly students, to study Balagopal’s writings and understand their social relevance. His books, he said, continue to attract readers and connect with new generations.
He further observed that Balagopal had a deep understanding of the problems and living conditions of displaced people affected by development projects. His writings and activism highlighted the importance of protecting people’s rights, livelihoods and dignity in the development process.
Balagopal’s Legacy Continues to Inspire Society: Prof. V.S. Prasad
Former NAAC Director Prof. V.S. Prasad described Dr. Balagopal as a human rights activist and an inspiration to people across different sections and fields. He said the organisation Perspectives was established in his memory to continue spreading his ideas, while his writings and speeches are being brought out in book form.
He also appreciated Kakatiya University for continuously organising the 16 Dr. K. Balagopal Memorial Lectures, providing an opportunity for students and other stakeholders to engage with distinguished thinkers and scholars.
Presiding over the programme, Vice-Chancellor Acharya K. Pratap Reddy said Dr. K. Balagopal remains an inspiration for the present generation. He said KU has so far organised 16 memorial lectures in his name by inviting eminent personalities and representatives of reputed institutions from across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that similar memorial lectures are also being organised at the University and urged students to make effective use of such opportunities to broaden their knowledge and perspectives.
Registrar Acharya V. Ramachandram said it was a matter of pride for Kakatiya University that Dr. K. Balagopal, a human rights crusader, was a former faculty member of the University. He described Balagopal as a multi-faceted personality who made significant contributions not only as a mathematician but also through his social engagement and writings.
On the occasion, the book “Human Rights in Everyday Life” was released. Dr. Balagopal’s wife Vasantha Lakshmi, along with several dignitaries, faculty members, non-teaching staff, researchers and students, attended the programme.
University Public Relations Officer Dr. Pruthvi Raju Vallala coordinated the programme.
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