Shri. L. Kalappa is an acknowledged social activist since his student days. He was one of the student leaders who lead an anti-EXPO 70 strike in the year 1970 and then became a Trade Union leader.

Shri. Kalappa participated in various seminars and workshops as a Trade Union leader both at National and International level. He was one of the leading delegates in an international workshop organized by HMS (Hind Mazdoor Sabha) & ILO (International Labour Organisation) in the year 1983 in Delhi for a period of one month.

When Mr. George Fernandes former Defence Minister founded the ‘Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat (HMKP) a Trade Union Organization in 1983, Shri. L. Kalappa was chosen as it’s secretary by Mr. George Fernandes, later he became a close associate of Mr. George Fernandes.

Besides commerce degree he did his law degree in the year 1985 and enrolled as an Advocate in the Karnataka State Bar Council.

Mr. Kalappa turned into a full time Trade Unionist after having attended an International course on ‘the role of labour movement in the National Development’ held at Tel Aviv, Israel in 1997 (45 days course).

Travelled extensively in USA, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and European countries, participated twice in the World Kannad Conference Organized by AKKA in Detroit (2002) and Chicago (2008) USA.

He is involved in organizing various struggles and agitations against injustices caused to both workers and farmers both at state and national level under HMKP (Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat) and also filed so many cases including PIL’s against the Government and other authorities.

After the demise of Mr. George Fernandes former defence Minister Shri. L. Kalappa has been elected recently to the post of National President of Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat which was earlier occupied by Mr. George Fernandes and later by his brother Mr. Michael B. Fernandes.

Mr. Kalappa is also President and legal advisor to more than 20 state level unions and other Trade Union organizations in the state.

He is an ardent believer in the socialistic pattern of society, and actively involved in the activities of ‘Centre for Socialist Studies’ in Bangalore, He is also managing a school (BMV – a charitable Trust) for the rural poor and under privileged in Bhaktharahalli Sidlaghatta Taluk, Chikkaballapur District for the last three decades.