| P. I. Belliappa | |
| Birth Name: | Pandyanda I Belliappa |
| Birth Place: | Kodagu (Coorg), India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Occupation: | Freedom Fighter, Politician |
Pandyanda I. Belliappa (or Pandianda I. Belliappa) was a Gandhian, a freedom fighter and politician from the erstwhile state of Coorg.
Belliappa entered politics in 1921 as a member of the Coorg Planters' Association.[1] He later joined the Congress Party and became one of its members.[2] A staunch Gandhian, satyagrahi and freedom fighter he courted arrest during the freedom struggle. His wife Pandyanda Seethamma Belliappa was also a freedom fighter who courted arrest.[3] He was also the editor of a periodical called the 'Kodagu'.[4] At his invitation, Mahatma Gandhi, his secretary Thakkar, the President of the Dalit Sangha, a German journalist, Miss Jamnalal Bajaj and others came to Gonikoppal in Coorg.[5] [6]
In 1952, he separated from the Congress along with others and fought the Coorg state elections as independents while floating a new party called the Takkadi ('justice scales') party. The issue they fought against was the proposed merger of Coorg with Mysore. They lost the elections to the Congress, led by C M Poonacha, but won nine of the Assembly seats. The Takkadi party was a dominant political force and voice in Coorg with its anti-merger plank.[7] [8] [9] [10]