Udupi: Freedom fighter and Gandhian, Bantakal K Laxminarayana Sharma(97) passed away at his residence on Wednesday, October 21 after a brief illness.

A farmer and a Hindi teacher, K L Sharma, as he was known, plunged into the freedom movement and took active part in Non Co-operation movement and in Quit India Movement. He was even imprisoned for six months after the Quit India Movement in 1942 and then for nine months after his arrest in Bengaluru. He had taken part in Tiranga Movement and was imprisoned for 15 days.

The 97-year-old was cremated on Wednesday with full state honours. Udupi district in-charge minister Vinay Kumar Sorake was present during the last rites of the veteran.

On his return to Katpady in 1949, he joined Shirva Hindu Junior College as a Hindi teacher and served the school for 26 years. However, he took active part in Vinobha Bhave’s Bhoondan movement and donated a part of his landholding in support of the movement.

In 1972, he received honour at the hands of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He was also awarded Udupi district Rajyotsava award.

He is survived by three sons including Ramakrishna Sharma, district president of Udupi Raita Sangha and five daughters.