Mata Rama Bai Ambedkar

It is rightly said, “There is a lady at the back of very successful man”.it was so in the case of Goswami Tulsidass, Shatrarpati Shiva Ji Maharaj, Tilak, Gandhi Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Baba Sahib B R Ambedkar and may other personalities, who made history of sorts. The success of Dr. Ambedkar had incalculable contribution of his noble wife Smt.Rama Bhai Ambedkar, She was intelligent, kind, poise, obedient, chaste, religious, possessing high character, besides having simplicity of style and taste. This saintly lady although lived in extreme poverty but without a whisper of complaint on her face. Always turning her eyes towards God for the safety and prosperity of her husband. She was gentle by temperament, sober in manners, weak in constitution but modest in speech. Revered Ramabhai a sober and good girl came of a good but poor family. She was the second daughter of Bhiku Walandkar, a resident of Walang village near Dapoli in Konkan in central India. He worked as porter at Dopli. He used to carry fish loads on his head from sea side to the bazaar. His earning was so meager that he could hardly make both ends meet. Dapoli is a place where child Bhim was admitted in his first school, when he was 5 years. Old, as his father Subedar Ramji Sakpal had migrated after his retirement. Rama bhai was born in 1898. her childhood name was Ramibhai and she has two sisters Gorabhai and Meerabhai and one brother named Shanker Dhutrey. Shanker Dhutrey also called Shanker Walangkar worked in a press. These unfortunate children lost first their mother & after some time their father too in childhood so were brought up by their maternal and parental uncle in Bombay (now Mumbai). Bhiva later called Bhimrao Ramji Dass Ambedkar and Ramibhai (later Ramabhai) were married when they were 16 years and 9 years old respectively: The marriage was ceremonised shortly after Bhim had passed his matriculation examination. The marriage pandal was an open shed of the Byculla Fish market in Bombay, after the days market was over. At night the bridegroom and his relatives were lodged in one spacious corner of the open shed and that of with her relatives in another corner. The small stone plate forms in the market served as benches, where a small gutter of dirty water flowed underneath their feet. The marriage place was vacated in the early morning before sunrise to enable the merchants to carry their daily business. The marriage was ceremonies with religious rites and jollity. Ramibhai was renamed Ramabhai after marriage and later earned the distinction of being called Mata Ramabhai Ambedker.

Rambhai Ambedker was illiterate at the time of her marriage but her husband later taught here simple reading and writing. Educationally there was world of difference between the two but they loved and respected each other from the core of their heats. Love, faith, sincerity, sacrifice and understanding links, between the two persons formed unbreakable chain to live happily, despite  both being ducationally poles aparts. Bhim used to call his wife affectionately as “Ramu” and she called him “Sahib”. She was deeply proud of her husband and Bhim respected here immensely. As Dr.Ambedkar was always busy in reading & could devote very little time for house hold affairs. At times she used to press here sahib’s feet in the evening, when he was reading & slept on the floor under his feet. But Ramabhai ensured that nobody disturbed him during this study or working. She cared for the health and welfare of her husband by all means.

When Ambedkar was in America, she lived a life of destitute but without any regret. It is rare historical example of courage & conviction of a wife (Ramabhai) who used to make  cowdung cakes and carry bthe same on her head, to use them as cheap household fuel, despite tauntingremarks from neighbouring women folk, when her husband (Dr B R Ambedkar), also in acute financial crisis was struggling to obtain world’s highest Academic degrees including Doctorate of Science in foreign lands. Despite financial crisis for studies and at home. . Dr Ambedkar became Barrister reinforced by a London Doctorate of Science, an American Doctorate in Philosophy and Studies of Bonn University, which reflected immense sacrifices of his wife. When Ambedkar was preparing to go to America for higher studies, the neighbouring women advised Ramabhai to stop her husband from going abroad, as he may marry a Mem (English lady) and desert her. But Ramabhai had unflinching faith on her sahib and replied to those ladies that’ she knew her husband well and he cannot do so”.

Despite Ramabhai‘s little education she was an expert housewife and knew well to run her house hold affairs. On getting money for monthly household expenses from Ambedkar she used to divide the money into 30 parts keeping  each part separately. Daily she opened one part and used it, so as not to run penniless on last dates of the month. Her economical habits and faith in her  husband, enabled the couple to get constructed their palatial house namely, Rajgrih in Bombay. But even after moving into Rajgrih, it did not affect her simple habits.

The wedlock of this ideal couple was blessed with four sons and one daughter, Out of his four sons namely, Ramesh, Gangadhar, yashwant and Rajratna and one daughter Indu only one son namely Yashwant Ambedkar (Father of Sh Parkash Abmedkar MP) survived, others died mostly in fancy. This gave the couple great pains and sorrows. On the death of his youngest son Rajratan on Ist July 1926, Dr Ambedkar wrote on 16^th August to one of his friends, “There is no use pretending that I and my wife have recovered from the shock of our Son’s death and I don’t think that we ever shall. - - - - - - - with the loss of our kids the salt of our life is gone - - - - “ After a long period of mourning & on the insistence of his well wishers, Dr Ambedkar settled down on the work for emancipation of down trodden but Ramabhai Continued in grief. This acted upon here health badly and she fell gravely ill. She being highly religious even during illness, she continued observing fasts on Saturdays, took only water and black gram, worshipped God for His blessing on her husband. Her thoughts, mind and eyes were devoted to the service of her Sahib. At this she would say,’Sahib what is there in having so many Degrees, cannot we live happily with lesser education perhaps she did not know that the emancipation of million of untouchables was possible only with knowledge of order which Dr Ambedkar acquired before plunging into the war to breake the age old chains of slavery of his brethren.

On Ramabhai’s insistence and life long Dr Ambedkar took Ramabhai to Pandharpur for pilgrimage of Bithal Ji Maharaj, in whom she had lot of faith. But being untouchables they were not allowed to go near the temple, so they had to stand at a distance from the temple idol to offer prayers. It irritated the self-respecting Dr Ambedkar and he said “What of that Pandherpur, which prevents its devotees from seeing the image of God, by our own virtuous life, selfless service and spotless sacrifice in the cause of downtrodden humanity, we shall create another Pandharpur. Another Pandharpur ! He kept his promise by leaving Hindu religion and embracing Buddhism and re-establishing Buddha in His motherland after centuries. Illness at last over power the weak body physique of Rama Bai Ambedkar. She was even taken to Dharwal Bai Dr.Ambedkar for change, but this to did not help in improving her health. No medicine could give her relief and at last on 27^th May 1935 unfortunate happen. She passed away at her residence.

Thus came the end of the nobility of mind and purity of heart. But fortunately Dr Ambedkar was by the side of her death bed. About 10,000 people rich and poor, educated and illiterate, important and common attended here funeral procession. Her son Yashwant Ambedkar preformed all Hindus ritees at the bidding of a Maha priest Sambhoo More, who was Baba Sahib’s colleague since their school days. After the death of Ramabhai, Baba Sahib was a completely broken person. Over a week he kept weeping like a child and it was difficult to console him. He put on a dress of a hermit and got his head tonsured. The saintly saffron robe indicated a hermit with world negating attitude. On the repeated requests & advice of his trusted friend and well – wishers he again took in his hand  the oar to sail across his suffering fellowmen and to cut their age old chains of slavery.

                  

 References

 1. Dr Ambedkar & His Mission By Danajay Keer

 2. Shoshit Samaj Ke Krantikari Pravertak ( Hindi) by C.S. Bhandari Publishars: Samyak Prakashan  32/3 Club Road Pashim Puri N Delhi 

SAVITRIBAI PHULE

The first women known in the Indian history which lived and died for the social upliftment of down trodden was born on 3^rd of January 1831 in Naya Ganj , Tehsil Khandala ,District Satara of Maharashtra. Her name was Savitribai. Her father’s name was Khado Ji Nevse Patil.  At the time of her birth , no body could realize that the small ray of light which had descended on the earth in the form of Savitribai shall become a torch bearer for many, who were suppressed, illiterate, ill fed , ill clothed and a lightening for suppressors and oppressors inflicting tyranny in the name of caste and sex, on millions belonging to their own country and religion .

At the tender age of 9 years in 1840, she was married to a great social revolutionary Jyotirao Phule, who was then 13 years old. The union of two small lights later emerged as a big Light House for millions of their fellow countrymen and pulled them out of their ignorance, illiteracy and ill treatment meted out to them by upper caste Hindus. They jointly fought for   the down trodden people of India to live with dignity keeping spine erect. Jyotirao Phule, later affectionately  called  Mahatma Jyotirao Phule proclaimed that illiteracy the ill of all ills causes lack of intellect which in turn causes lack of moral which results in stagnation, promoting   further  loss of riches  and fortune which caused fall of Shudras. So ban of education to Shudras in Brahminical literature caused their all round degradation, so he gave preference to impart education to Shudras for their over all upliftment.

The Education to Savitribhai was imparted at home by her husband, who had passed his Secondary Education Examination in 1847 from Scottish Mission High School Poona and  had decided not to accept any job under the government.  On reading Paine’s famous book “The Rights of Man” revolutionized the young mind of Jyotirao Phule and he in turn influenced the tender mind of Savitribhai, who also took oath to help her husband for Social Revolution even at the cost of her life and comforts.

They jointly opened the very first Girl’s School in 1848 against the vicious campaign launched by orthodox upper caste Hindus for such an act of the Phule couple, as education to girls was coded as unlawful in the laws of orthodox Hindus, although they claimed to possess the most knowledgeable books called “VEDAS” but practically treating Shudras & women worse than animals. No upper caste Hindu teacher came forward to teach in this newly opened Girl’s School in which untouchables girls , besides Hindu Girl’s were admitted. Therefore, Savitribai was appointed as Headmistress of this school on I ^st January 1848 by Jyotirao Phule. This school was run from the house of a Brahmin in Budhwara Peth, with majority of Brahmin girl students. The orthodox Brahmins raised a great hue & cry against carrying on women education including those of Shudra girls, which stood banned by the Hindu scripture. As soon as Savitribai came out from her house to go to school, people would throw on her cow dung and mud spoiling here dress, which she washed at the school and at her residence. But ill treatment meted out to her by upper caste Hindus did not deter her from her strong convictions and she carried on with the noble cause for the social change. She, instead , opened another school on 15^th May 1848 in untouchable’s colony and it was run by her widowed sister –in-law (husband  ‘s sister) Smt. Suganabai. On this again the reactionaries, raised objections and threatened Govinda Rao (Jyotirao ’s father) with dire consequences, if, he failed to dissociate himself from the activities of his son & daughter-in-law.So he asked the couple to leave his home as both of them refused to give up their missionary  endeavor. Both shifted to a Muslim Mian  Usman Sheikh’s house. Smt. Fatima Sister of Mian Sheikh known as first Muslim women teacher of 18^th century, started educating Dalit children in this school opened by a Dalit couple. This was an extremely difficult task during those days of Brahmin domination in government and social circles, but Savitribai did it by dint of her courage, determination, intelligence and her commitment to the cause of Dalit upliftment through spread of Education the only road to their empowerment.

Jyotirao Phule blamed the British Government for spending profusely a large portion of the state revenue on the education of the higher castes, which resulted in monopoly of all higher offices under the Government by the Brahmins. The dedicated couple wanted to break this monopoly so as to prepare the down trodden masses for struggle of having equal rights as human beings in their own motherland. Jyotirao Phule for the first time , made strong demand in memorandum submitted to Hunter Commission in 1882  for free & compulsory education to all. This plea was accepted on the instance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and incorporated in the Constitution of Free India in 1950.  

Widow re-marriage was banned then and the child marriages were very common among the Hindus including Brahmins. Many Hindu widows resorted to Sati (burning of the bride with the dead body of their husbands) in full public view.  Many women got windowed in their young age and not all of them could live in a manner in which orthodox people expected them to live. Some of the helpless widows resorted to abortion or left their illegitimate children to their fate by leaving them on the streets. Out of pity for them Jyotirao Phule established on orphanage, possibly first such Institution founded and funded by a Hindu. The Phule couple gave protection to pregnant widows and assured them that this orphanage would take care of their children and Savitribai Phule Shouldered the responsibility of managing the orphanage. It was in  this orphanage where a Brahmin widow named Kashi Bai gave birth to a boy in 1873 and the Phule couple adopted new born as their son and heir giving him name as

 Yashuwant, who was given education to become a qualified doctor. During 1876-77 famine she feed and cared about 200 children with the help of her doctor son free of cost. She was a great source of strength to her husband.

Savitribai was not only an educationist but a great philanthropist, social revolutionary, writer and poet. Perhaps she was the first Indian woman revolutionary who worked against all odds for the emancipation of week and downtrodden women & children. Her poetry book first published in 1854 was titled as “KABYE PHULE” In one of her poems she makes out that the British succeeded in establising their rule in India due to denial of Educational opportunities by the Aryans to the original inhabitants of India. During various invasions the 85% of the population were made mute spectators when their  motherland was occupied forcibly by   the foreign invaders, for which nobody else but Brahmins and caste system  were responsible. When she was told by her brother to follow the path shown by Bhats (Brahmins) she rebuked him by telling that she was following the just path being followed by her husband and she could not be blind follower of Brahmins like her brother. She also tauntingly said to him, “Go and love the cow and the goat and offer milk to snakes on Nagpanchmi,, even then the Brahmins shall turn you out of Puja Sathal branding you as untouchables. This shows her strong conviction and  will power, when actually she was very poised lady having her heart filled with love for all.

After the death of her husband in November 1890, she successfully managed for seven years the affairs of “SATYA SHODAK-SAMAJ” established by her husband to look after the needs of unfortunate children.

During the spread of Cholera in Maharashtra in 1897 she opened a number of helping centers for all sufferers in rural and urban areas. She used to carry patients personally to the clinic of her son Yashuwant, who cured hundreds of them free of cost.

While carrying personally a cholera ridden Mahar boy to the clinic of her son and to get him admitted there, she got infected from the Mahar boy and she died of cholera on the 10^th of March 1897.

We salute the iron lady who struck hard  to break the shackles of religious progeny, caste and dynasty to establish social order of Universal Brotherhood. She was first Indian women leader, who worked for the upliftment & dignity of women & children and was a staunch opponent of orthodox laws including Untouchability. She was mother to helpless orphans, a teacher to illiterates and solace to ill and suffering masses. She deserved to be honored as “Mother of Women Education in India”

She is even now a source of inspiration for establishing a rule based on equality, justice and fraternity. Let us draw inspiration from her life& works and re-dedicate ourselves for the service of down trodden and Dalits besides those sections of society who are deprived of equal opportunities of life.

References:-

1. The Nagmay Sanskriti     Ujjain (MP) Dated 8-7-1997.

2. Slavery By Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (Vol I) Translated by Prof.P.G. Patil, Education Deptt.   Govt of Maharastra Bombay 1991

3. Jyotiba Phule (Hindi) By Durga Prasad Shukal NCERT April 1991

4. Dr Ambedkar & His Mission - by Danajay Keer

5. Shoshit Samaj Ke Krantikari Pravertak ( Hindi) by C.S. Bhandari Publishars: Samyak Prakashan  32/3 Club Road Pashim Puri N Delhi 

KANSHIRAM - Dalit Empowerment Hero

It is a foregone conclusion that after Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram was tallest personality on Indian political scene, who kept the flame  of Dalit Empowerment burning for  over four decades with the same motto, strength ,vision and dedication. Dr B.R. Ambedkar uprooted the centuries old orders and created ways and means for the Indian Dalits to achieve heights in all spheres of life. He fired constitutionally the priestly class man made obstacles created in their social, political, religious, economic, educational spheres. He restored to the Dalits what was snatched away by deceit from them.  Baba Sahib’s early death marooned his cherished dreams to see once again the original habitants of India to rule the state and gain their lost  prestige and privileges. Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram watered this idea with is life long sacrifices and gained much of the lost grounds. He made the Dalits conscious of the privileges enjoyed by Rulers and subjects. On 14 ^th April 1965, he took the oath “ I will complete the unfinished mission of Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. I shall look after the welfare of my samaj”. He declared Dalit Samaj his family, all Dalit women his sisters & all Dalit men his brothers, he vowed to remain bachelor through out his life & not to acquire any property in his name. He said good bye to his family, family life, family comforts for the sake of cutting slavery chains of his fellow brethren. This he kept as a Buddhist Monk’s word. He got converted to Buddhism To achieve the goal of making Dalit masses a united electoral force to acquire political power and  to educate them  Sahib Kanshi Ram traveled through out the length & breath of India on his bi- cycle along with his trusted lieutenants.

The ground so prepared through life long suffering of Baba sahib would have become again barren, had Kanshi Ram not ploughed  it with full vigor, sown seeds of politico-socio-economic revolution, watered it with his sweating toil and  guarded it with day & night  bi- cycling. He challenged socio-cultural values of religion dominated order & gave Dalits Samaj a vision to get rid of false religious dogmas, discriminatory religious books & even false man made gods. Kanshi Ram was a great public mobilizer; he understood values of self-respect &   collective wisdom of communities to gain political power to use it to their advantage.

Shri Kanshi Ram worked to educate the  85%  Indian  population comprising of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Back ward Classes and  religious minorities to gain their  rights to ruleover India. While arousing the inner conscious of Dalits   Shri Kanshi Ram coined value based slogans from time to time to give directions to Dalit masses; one such was “Jiski Jitni Sankhaya Bhari, uski utni Bhagidari”. He was perhaps one leader, who kept his promise, proved true to his words. He lived & died as a leader, with out any immovable or moveable property, any bank account, house, land plot or flat in his name. To achieve his set goals, he lived as an ordinary Dalit, took meals in small hutments, wayside dhabas( rural road side eat houses), slept on floor. Once he was seen  sleeping night long on stone mettle kept for road paving.He used to keep awake for days & nights to equip him with literary knowledge, assimilate it into practical thoughts & to devise ways to use it for the advantage of his peoples, many of whom were ill fed, ill dressed, naked, illiterate, exploited and miss guided.   Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram emerged on Indian political horizon as most luminous star, when Dalits were feeling leaderless & direction less, after the untimely death of revered Baba Sahib Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Baba Sahib by dint of his hard labour, scholarly research and political vision prepared ground for Dalit liberation from the yoke of upper caste domination, challenging hate culture of superstitious upper caste Hindus against their Hindu religious brethren, so called Shuders & Ati- Shuders.

Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram was born on 15^th March, 1934, in Ramdasia or Chamar Sikh family, an untouchable caste of Brahminical caste division. He was one of the seven children of his father Shri Hari Singh & mother Shrimati Bishan Kour. He was born at village Khawaspur in Ropar District of Punjab State. In his family, he was the only graduate. He joined service in Poona city of Maharashtra State in Ministry Of Defence, the Explosive Research and Development Laboratory ( ERDL). Here he came in contact with one Dheema Vana, a suspended class IV Dalit employee of his office. Late shri Dheema Vana demanded Holiday on  Dr .Ambedkar & Budha Jyanties. Then the ERDL had ordered cancellation of the holidays on account of Birthday of Baba Sahib and Budha Yyanti and replaced it with the Tilak Jyonti  besides declaring a holiday of Dewali. Later Shri  Dhemma Vana’s both these demands were acceded to and he was reinstated.  Shri Dheema Vana’s heart was filled with faith & love for Dr. Ambedkar. After getting inspiration from Dheema, Kanshi Ram studied literature on & by Dr. Ambedkar. It is said he read “Annihilation Of Caste” several times in single night. He then resigned from service to carry forward, the mission of uniting millions of Dalits, bond them  through brotherhood bonds  reminding them of their centuries old  slavery &  sufferings.  He shook them to wake from their deep slumber so as to consolidate them into a force to be reckoned with. He single handedly awakened in Dalits a sense of empowerment.       

Those close to him tell how hard he worked to built up his first social & educative organization of  employees of all SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s & minorities named BAMSEF  on 6^th Dec. 1978  & then prepared them to launch   their Youth’s sangarash Simiti ( Agitational forum) “ DS-4” on 6^th Dec. 1981.  

To prepare solid ground to get right share in political power, he launched his Bahujan Samaj Party on14^th April, 1984.Kashi Ram shook the conscious of those who are under represented in our Parliamentary system and were craving for a change. There by he consolidated masses to work for their own political organization BSP,  many voluntaried to work for BSP as  “Mission Ka Kaam” His message was so inspiring for his peoples, that once a BSP volunteer  was always so.  Due to Kanshi Ram’s political vision soon BSP became a National Party & attained third position, leaving far behind many political parties, who were formed decades earlier.  Sahib Kashi Ram himself won twice ( 1991 & 1996) for  Lok Sabha. But in 1998 he promised not to contest for any political  office till he gains strength to win from at least 100 Lok Sabha  constituencies .  The election winning spree flourished  and  in UP assembly it won66 seats out of 162 it contested in 1993. Kanshi Ram’s political maneuverability made Behan Mayawati chief Minister of UP thrice in coalition with other parties, but  he did not yield to undue pressure from them even at the cost of loosing CM’s. Gadi 

The graph of winning seats in Lok Sabha elections also rose dramatically :

Seats                       Lok Sabha

zero                          8^th 

04                             9^th

03                             10th 

11                             11^th 

05                             12^th

15                            13^th & 14^th 

Lok Sabha His continuous efforts in  this direction  bore fruits  of winning clear majority in 2007 in UP  Assembly elections with 208 seats, standing Second on 111 seats& loosing other 60 seats with a margin of less than 5000 votes. Behan Mayawati, now National President BSP was sworn in as Chief Minister of UP State with clear majority.  But alas Sahib was not lucky to see the day of farming his BSP government in Uttar Pradesh on its own strength.                       

With the demise of Sahib Kanshi Ram vested interests have found ways to penetrate in BSP, the brain child of Sahib Ji who nourished  it with his Daily blood dose. The glaring example can be quoted of J&K State, where once it won four seats in the State Assembly and now has been reduced to zero. The oft repeated Chamcha Raj by Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram is gaining grounds day by day for getting his sacrifices.  During the period of 24 years since the formation of BSP, the INC Govt programs of multinationalisim & New Economic order under late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, or Rath Yatra Of Sh. LK Advani culminating in demolishing of Babri Masjid on 6^th Dec 1992, could not  sway away Dalits from Kanshi Ram’s Programme of gaining political power to have share in running the affairs of union of India.  Credit goes to Kanshi Ram that Dalits having over 85 % Indian  population forming SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s or other minorities, have not challenged the Constitutional arrangements, avoided violence against the  state or other ethnic groups. Kanshi Ram’s formula that numbers, not violence work in democratic India is no mean achievement for which we all  bow to Kanshi Ram.

Like every one else, he had to leave the mortal frame of body, although it is painful for those who are left behind to bear the shock. So happened with Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram Ji. He was not keeping good health for quite some time, but the brain stroke he suffered in Hydrabad during a meeting on 15^th March, 2003 proved fetal. He was shifted to New Delhi Batra Hospital and remained under expert treatment for over three years. The unfortunate end came on Monday the 9^th October, 2006 at 12. 20 at 11, Hanuman Road New Delhi, the official residence of Behan Mayawati. National Personalities like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha L.K. Advani. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Lalu Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and other paid their homage to the Messiah of Dalits. His funeral was attended by lacs and he was cremated at Nigam Bodh Ghat New Delhi on 9-10-2006. He left behind his wish that his mortal remains be not immersed in any river but kept in BSP Party HQ at Delhi & Lukhnow. He qualified his birth and  death as per the hymn of Kabir Sahib, a great Mystic “Jab Ham Aye Jagat Main, Jag Hansa Hum Roay, Aisi Karni Kar Chaloo, Hum Hansain, Jag Roay” (On child’s birth, child cries but locality celebrates birth with joy, One must work for the good of the society, so that at the time of death the locality mourns but the person dieing feels joyous )    

Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram prior to death made Behan Mayawati as his heir & National President of BSP on 18-09-2003. Let us see how far she is able to see the masses united, as many fights have stared appearing in the BSP, and to plug these loop holes. Labour and suffering of Kanshi Ram needs to be kept in mind & his tested formulae of unity followed. If his comrades slip from his ideals, it shall be a sad commentary & bad luck for his now united masses. Sycophancy or Chamchagiri should be kept away from the Dalit affairs. Behan Mayawati shall have to strengthen the party with the same  dedication as  of Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram pulling it  out of present day mess of Chamchagiri or sycophancy.   

Sahib Shri Kanshi Ram shall be long remembered for his visionary saying “NUMBERS, NOT VIOLENCE WORK IN DEMOCRATIC INDIA” Dalits should win race to New Delhi Gadi by democratic means only, leaving no space for violence against any ethnic group. Let us encourage the anti- status -quo forces to gain National unity.                                  

Babu Milkhi Ram (1926-1989)

Babu Milkhi Ram Ji was an uncompromising crusader for social justice. Despite heavy odds in his personal and social life, he carried on his campaign of mass awakening and building up pressure on the Government of granting the Dalits their rights to reservation in services, allotment of land with  ownership rights to the landless poor. He declined the tempting offers of the berth of a Finance Minister in the State Cabinet of the J&K State under Prime Minister ( As was then designated), Bhakshi Gulam Mohammad, so preferring  a life of poverty and suffering , sharing the joys and sorrows of the milieu he  spouted from. He fought a relentless fight, both within and outside the legislature, against the discrimination meted out to the Dalits especially in the affairs of the State administration, imparting them quality free education

As Baba Sahib, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Babu Milkhi Ram too did not enjoy very big personnel successes in the literary sense of the term, but the mark made by him on the people’s  psyche is indelible, indeed. People, old and young, and socio-political leaders, irrespective of their political leanings, remember him with a sense of reverence.

Born on 14 June, 1926 in a family of a cobbler or  shoe maker Shri Rohlu Ram of Jammu, young Milkhi Ram was physically strong and mentally alert. He played football and Kabaddi and was also very found of wrestling and kiting. He was a great lover of sweets and pakoras ( A black gram flour Fried with  vegetables dish). A sense of purpose and firm conviction were reflected in his thought, action and speech.

He passed his Matriculation Examination in 1944. He married to a Middle Standard (8^th Class) pass lady, Smt. Ishri Devi, in 1947 at the age of21 years. Shri Rohlu Ram was ditched by business associates/ partners at Jammu, so he migrated to Kashmir leaving young Milkhi Ram and otheer family members  under his care back home. Shri Rohlu Ram never returned back and breathed his last in Kashmir. Milkhi Ram bravely shouldered the entire responsibility to run the family as an undergraduate, by carrying on tuitions and working in shoe making shop.. To eke out a living and meet his educational expenses, Milkhi Ram Ji  worked as a shoeshine boy and made rubber chapels from worn out Tyres which were then  popular among the poor hilly people of J&K.

Influenced by the teachings of Swami Jai Gopal Gir Maharaj of Palouta Sahib (Ramgarh, Samba tehsil of then Distt. Jammu ) , a Dalit  saint  and  a staunch follower of Sant Guru  Ravi Dass. Palouta area has   a large population of Chamars also called as Ravidasias . Shri Milkhi Ram chose the path of service of poor, the downtrodden and rid them of the curse of social discrimination meted out to them in various walks of life. Despite heavy odds throughout his life, he did not budge from his set goal of “Service to masses is service to God” . The life and mission of Baba Saheb, Dr. B.R. Ambedker influenced Babu Ji to whom Babu Ji met in Punjab sometime in 1951-52. Their meeting changed still further the life’s motto of Babu Milkhi Ram, so he dedicated his whole life for the just cause of the deprived, depressed, neglected, illiterate half fed peoples of J&K State. In  later years Babu Milkhi Ram was greatly influenced by the working & teaching of Babau Jagjivan Ram and both used to have close contacts & intimate interactions on all matters pertaining to welfare of the Depressed classes peoples.

On the advice of Mr. William, then Principal of a private school,  Babu Ji served as a teacher for a while as Babu Milkhi Ram was a trained teacher as he  had already passed the B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) Exam. After a considerable gap of time , he felt the necessity of providing legal assistance to the penniless people from the villages so he perused his Law studies at Delhi and earned LL. B Degree in 1964. He practiced as lawyer at Jammu, which helped the poor peoples to get justice. But he charged very very nominal fee at times even free of costs.

In 1950, he founded Harijan Mandal (Central) in contradiction with the already existing organization of the similar name, viz. Harijan Mandal (founded in 1940 by the Harijan elite after dissolving a single caste organization called Megh Mandal) whose protagonists were pro-establishment. After completion of his graduation, he contested the first Assemble election in 1952 which lost. He, however, won the 1957 Assembly poll but found him self alone as a Dalit leader amongst the opposition.

Thereafter, he contested almost all Assembly elections till 1987 but lost with a lower vote percentage in each successive poll. But, paradoxically, his popularity, both among the masses and in the political and Government circles, rose day by day. That was, perhaps, due to the extraordinary qualities of leadership he possessed. Undeterred by his election failures, Babu Milkhi Ram ji continued to hold high the flag of the Dalit Movement in the Jammu region of J&K. He offered resistance, led demonstrations and organized rallies and strikes in protest against the discriminatory behavior of the establishment towards the Dalits.

He provided leadership to the Dalits agitation in Marhin and Chhann Rodian in Kathua Distt in 1956. Unfortunately, meeting at both these places were disrupted by a Dalit Patwari who, obviously, was misled by certain unscrupulous elements from amongst the non-Dalits who didn't approve of the Dalits’ Unity and restoration to them their legitimate rights.

Following this, on 26 July 1956 a team of eleven volunteers went on a hunger strike which continued fro five days, till the Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohd. Came thee and assured of justice to the Dalits in J&K. He commended Babu Milkhi Ram as a true leader and offered him he berth of Finance Minister in his Cabinet provided he merged his Harijan Mandal with National Conference. Later, on 15 November, 1956 a rally was organized at Karan Park Jammu, where the same conditional offer was repeated by the Prime Minister. But he declined the offer both in favour of betraying the movement he had started in 1950, although many that he could have served the Dalits more effectively, had he joined the J&K Govt. as Finance Minister.

Consequent upon bowing down by the Government to the demands of the strikers, many of the miscreants were who had stone pelted the meetings were put behind bars. A couple of them went underground and became Sadhus to avoid detection. 165 pounds of the strikers’ blood lost thus bore fruit in the form of Babu ji’s entry into the J&K legislative Assembly in 1957 and many others became officers and ministers in the later years. He continued raising the reservation and farmers’ tenancy rights issues-with the result the Government of J&K issued an order of reservation for SCs in public services in 1971.

As a precursor to his joining National Conference under the leadership of Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah, in 1975, he participated in the meeting of Democratic Socialist Forum organized by the latter on 2 December,1974. In 1979 he joined Mirza Afzal Beigh’s Revolutionary National Conference and was nominated its provincial president (Jammu).

Irrespective of his political affiliations, Babu ji pursued the Programme of forging and strength the SC- BC unity rather relentlessly.  As a step in that direction, he started a news-paper SUBH-E-Jammu in 1980 and presented a 25 point charter of demands to the Government. In 1982 he was nominated as Vice Chairman of the J&K State Scheduled Castes Advisory Board. But, on the fall of Dr.Farooq Abdullah’s Government in 1984 he resigned it and preferred to return home walking instead of using the official car. Thereafter, he founded the SC-BC Federation and became its President.

Once a confidant of Babu ji told him that the people considered him a fool, as he worked for those who worked against him. His reply was, “if you are not satisfied with my way of working, you may also abandon me, but I will continue working for them irrespective of their being my friends or foes”. Such was the greatness of that saintly figure of the Dalit Movement in J&K.

Babu ji breathed his last on 7 May, 1989. Although he is no more with us, physically, but Dalits still cherish his memory. He will be remembered for his straight forwardness, righteousness and his concern for the poor and the meek. He will continue to serve as a beacon for us for centuries to come.

Note

Although the above accounts, based on a write up from one of the close relatives of Late Babu ji, is supposed to be most authentic and comprehensive’ still, as there is always a scope for improvement, readers and his contemporaries and devotees may send more entries on the missed out important points, if any, for publication as supplements to the above articles in the next issue of Samatavadi Bharat. In addition to English, such entries received in other local languages shall be adapted to Hindi or English.

More such entries from other parts of India are invited for publication in the series “Unsung Heroes of the Dalit Movement in India” in the future issues of Samatavadi Bharat.

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule

Ever since the Hindu religion got divided into castes rigidities and society got divided into low and upper castes, it has increases the miseries of the low caste people termed as untouchables or Dalits.All doors of progress, social, economical, educational, cultural were closed for the Dalits.They were denied the normal human dignities by their own brothers and sisters, who always looked towards them for all comforts of life but denied them the same. The Hindus offered milk to snakes; rice with sugar to ants; worshipped tress like Tulsi, Pipal, and animals like cows but got polluted by the shadow of a Dalit, who are non-else but the creation of the same God for whose realization Hindus observe extreme austere like living in lonely forests, undertake long journeys to 68 places of pilgrimage, observe fasts etc..But God is great and it sends its messages from time to time to show the masses the just path of love for all and hate to none.

A similar personality took birth on 11-4-1827 to revered couple Govindarao and Chimnabai in village Khanbari of Poona, who was named Jyotiba. He earned the title of Mahatma and title of Bukar T.Washington (American President and a great leader against acts of slavery & apartheid).Since

 Gobindarao and his two brothers served as florists under the Pashwas, so they were called Phules.Chimnabai died when Jyotiba was 9 months old..Gobindrao wanted his son to get a higher education so as to spread the Gyan Jyoti for the humanity at large and Dalits in particular. But all relatives of Gobindarao were against the education of Jyotiba and so Jyotiba was taken out of school after he passed his primary school at the age of 9 years. Despite this Jyotiba continued working in fields during day and reading at night by lighting kerosene lamp. On the insistence of Goffar Beig Munshi ( A Muslim )and Latiz Sahib(AChristian) as both had great influence on Gobindarao who  got admitted his son in Scottish Mission High School at Poona in 1891.Jyotirao completed his secondary education in 1847 and decided not to accept any government job but work for the upliftment of downtrodden and deprived section of society and to spread education among them.

One day when Jyotibrao accompanied the Barat of his Brahmin friend, but was insulted and abused by relatives of his friend as how a Dalit dared to take part in Barat( Marriage Party ) of a Brahmin. After this incident Jyotiba made up his mind to defy the caste system and decided to serve the shudras and women who were deprived of all of their human rights under the caste system.Jyotiba was married in 1840 to Savitribai.Savitribai Phule worked as the true disciple and co-missionary of her husband. They changed the history by opening a school on 1-1-1848 for girls in Poona where Savitirbai was admitted as first Student along with four Brahmin girls, one Maratha girl and sixth a shepherd family girl.Jyotirao Phule continued this school despite opposition from orthodox Hindus, who considered this act against their religion, as Hindu scriptures considered educating girls & Dalits as a great sin. Savitirbai received more education at home from his husband, who appointed her Headmistress of one of his schools. Even parents of Jyotiba did not co-operated & they turned him along with Savitribai out of their parental house, when the couple did not agree to desist from their chosen path. They opened 18 such schools including some having co-education.

Feeling pity on the condition of orphans Jyotiba Phule opened   orphanage, perhaps first such institution by a Hindu. Jyotiba Phule gave protection to widows & assured them that orphanage shall take care of their children.  It was in this orphanage that a Brahmin widow gave birth to a male child in1873 and Jyotirao Phule adopted him as his son naming him Jaswantrao Phule & educated him to become a qualified doctor. To earn his livelihood & to run his schools & other institutions he worked as contractor in PWD.  He termed this department as hotbed of corruption.

He published his controversial book “Slavery,” in 1873 ,in which he declared  his manifesto  that he was  willing to dine with all irrespective of  their caste, creed, or country of origin Jyotirao Phule  formed “ Satya Shodhak Samaj on 24 th September 1873 & in 1876 it had 316 members. The main objectives of this organization were to liberate the Shudras, Ati Shudras & to prevent their exploitation by the Upper caste Hindus. He refused to regard Vedas as sacrosanct & denounced Chaturverna & instead published his book “Satya Dharma Pustak in 1891.  According to him all men & women were equal & entitled to enjoy equal rights & it was a sin to discriminate between human beings on the basis of sex or caste & creed Wodow remarriages werw banned and child marriage was very common amongthe Hindus Society Jyotirao opposed both & worked to benefit them and  got re married one Shayani caste widow on 8th march 1890 against  strong protests

He opposed the evil customs so on the death of his father he did not call his caste people for meal instead he distributed meals in beggars, distributed pencils, writing wooden planks ( Patties )  & books to children which became annual function to remember his father.  He opposed the tyranny of landlords & money lenders , so he organized a protest Dharna in Poona District where  farmers joined in large number 7 burnt the recorde of the money lenders. He got a marriage  ceremonised on 25 th December 1873 without the participation ob any Prohit. In the marriage feast the was only Pan & Supary nothing else. He edited  a weekly news paper “ DEEN BANDU ,” from 1st January 1877. This became a very popular paper & Jyotirao Phule varied through it his mission of guiding his fellow persons against the evils of the society Jyotirao Phule helper getting released in1881 from jail Lok Manaiya Ganga Dhar Tilk &Goda Adkar who were sentenced for writing in their papers “ The Kesri & the  Maratha ,”  against the policies of the British Govt.

For the life long service to the Dalits & other deprived section of the society Jyotirao Phule was awarded the Title Of MAHATAMA.  On 19 th May 1888. The function was attended  by degneties like Justice Ranade, Dr. Bhandarkar , Tukaram Tatiya , Lokhande, Dholey & Bharkar besides . Jyotirao Phule was  addressed by  Saya Ji Rao Gaikwardas Bukar T Washington in his letter to the president of the function.

Jyotirao Phule got his right hand incapacitated in an illness, so he stated writing with his left hand & wrote a book titled as “ SARIVJANIK SATYA DHARAM , “ After ceaselessly working for over 63 years Jyotirao Phule passed away on 28 th November 1890 about 138 days before the birth  of Dr. BR Ambedkar another luminary, Father of free India’s Constitution , & worked lifelong for the emancipation of Dalits , depressed, week  & women Jyotirao Phule shall be remembered for the centuries to come for the  good work he did for the Dalits & Depressed peoples of society.

The life size statue of Jyotirao Phule was installed in the compound of Indian Parliament on 3rd of December 2003, near the Statue of Baba Sahib Bhimrao Ambedkar 

Jyotirao Phule said illiteracy the ill of all ills that lack of education causes lack of intellect which in turn  causes lack of moral resulting in stagnation promoting   further  loss of riches  and fortune which caused fall of Shudras. So ban of education to Shudras caused their all round degradation

CHHATRAPATI SHAHU JI MAHARAJ

(1874-1922)

Rajarshi Chhatrapati ShahuJi Maharaj was king of the Indian princely State of Kolhapur  known to be a great social reformer of his time. Shahu Ji  was a staunch follower of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and great admirer of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Shahu Ji belonged to Oil presser “Teli” caste but devoted his life for the upliftment of the  Dalit society. He challenge the Brahmanical supremacy in administration and on 26^th July 1902 by sanctioning 50% Reservation for the backward Classes in Kohlapur StateServices  This was  against the tough opposition from upper caste  Brahmin Ministers who numbered

 over 98% in administration against 3% share in population of Brahmins in the state.  He assertedhis full authority over his kingdom and took a number of welfare schemes for the depressed class peoples   As per his renowned biographer Shri A.B. Latthe “He was greatest Maharaja that ever sat on the thrown of Kohlapur and one of the powerful men that the nation ever produced in its long& Brilliant history”. Chhatarpati Sahu Ji Maharaj’s concern for good administration can be judged from his statement “Although I am on the throne of Kohlapur, I feel proud to call myself as solider, farmer or labourer . while addressing  meeting in Madras he said “ I am here not as king but friend to those whose pitiable condition  shall melt even a stone hearted person . He passed laws to allow training of non-Brahmin men as temple priests along with declaring religious places properties as Kohlapur State properties. He ordered that the appointment of Shankaachariyas in future shall be with Kohlapur State authority.  He abolished Kulkarni system and appointed Kshatra Jagadguru ringing a bell of reasons and secularism for  His subjects. He approved conducting of marriages with out a Brahmin priest.  He promoted inter caste marriages among his subjects. However it created ill will towards Maharaja by irrational thinking superstitious Brahmins who were supported by Lokmanya Tilak and some others. While opposing right of higher Education to Bachward Classes, Tilak is on record to have said in one of his speech dated 11November,1917( Javatmal Maharathtra) “ would the tailors use sewing machine, the peasants their plough and the merchants the scale of balance in the council”  Tilak & congress party  was for the Bachward classes peopled to follow their ancestral trades, where only elementary education needed. Determined to implement his egalitarian thoughts  so was prepared to face all his adversaries opposing them. On 15 April,1920 Chhatarpati  Sahu Ji Maharaj replied thus to Tilak, “ Tilak would have been ashamed of expressing  such thoughts in his speech Brahmin V/s Brahmantra. Tilak advised untouchables not to take secondary education after primary educatioin. He wanted them to learn them to learn the crafts of their castes, thus he believed in constitution of the caste profession for the untouchables and not in giving them the higher education to them “However Maharaja was not against Brahmins but Brahmanism and Brahmanical ways and their half hearted reforms. so many good hearted Brahmins   like V.D. Topkhane, Gopal Krishan Gokhale, Rajaram Shastri supported the progressive efforts.

Shahu Ji was born on 26 July in the year 1874 as Yeshwantrao Ghatge. He was the eldest son of Narayan Dinkarrao Ghatke also called Appasaheb Ghatge and his wife Radhabai,. Narayan Dinkarrao Ghatke was the head of Kagal and his wife was the daughter of the Raja of Mudhol that's in today's Karnataka state.. Narayan Dinkarrao Ghatke was Regent to Kohlapur State, so lived in Laxminivas Palace in Kohlapur where Yeshwantrao Ghatge was born.

Sahu Ji Maharaj lost his father at the age of 12 years and his mother when he was only three years. Shahu received his earlier education under the care of his father. As luck would have it Yeshwantrao Ghatge when a child of only 10 years, he was adopted by Anandibai, the widow of Chhatarpati Maharaja Shivaji IV (  Narayanarao) of Kolhapur on March 17^th, 1884.  He ascended to the throne of Kohlapur Chhatrapati and was given the name as  Chhatar Pati Sahu Ji Maharaj.  Grown up Sahu Ji Maharaj was over five feet and nine inches in height and bore majestic appearance of a real Maratha king. Wrestling was one of the favorite sports of Chhatrapati

Shahu Ji Maharaj was married to Laxshmibaisaheba on 1^st, April1891 then only  11 years old bride. She was daughter of a Maratha nobleman Shri Meharban Gunajirao Khanvilkar from Baroda having blood relation with Chhatrapati of Satara .Sahu couple was blessed with four children.

The Maharaj  came in cotact with Dr B.R. Ambedkar when they were introduced by Dattoba Pawar and Dittoba Dalvi  (artist) and their association lost till the sudden end of shahu Ji Maharaj in 1922. Sahu Ji was greatly impressed by his revolutionary ideas. Maharaj Ji   always lent helping hands by all means to any body from untouchables found in distress. He met Dr B.R. Ambedkar a number of times during 1917-1921. When Dr Ambedkar expressed his desire to start a fortnightly newspaper to bring about an awakening among Dalits Sahu Ji Maharaj denoted Rs2,500.00 for this noble cause. Dr Ambedkar started “ Mooknayak” (Leader of the  Dumb) on 31^st January ,1920. Also when Dr Ambedkar faced financial problems in completion of his for studies in September 1921. Sahu Ji sent Rs750.00 with assurance to Dr Ambedkar that he can write for any such help to him any time. Again Sahu Ji Maharaj sent a cheque worth Rs1500.00 to Dr Ambedkar at his London address on 5^th October 1921. When Mooknayak landed in financial distressed Shahu Ji Maharaj pulled it out by donating Rs750.00 in January 1921and Rs1000.00  on 21^st Febuary,1921.  The first conference of untouchables was organized under leadership of Shahu Ji Maharaj (21-22 March) 1920 at Mangaon Kohlapur , Dr Ambedkar was Chairman. The Maharaja told the gathering that they had found a leader in Dr Ambedkar who will work for their amelioration.

Shahu Ji Maharaj’s qualities of head and heart earned him honorary LLD from Cambridge University and ; G.C.S.I; G.C.V.O; G.C.I.E; titles from Queen Victoria,  Duke of Co naught & Empiral Darbar Respectively. As per the law of the nature who so ever has born is to die. Some people live for others and they are remembered ages after their demise. Satarpati Ji Maharaj suddenly passed away on 6^th May, 1922 at a prime age of 48 years.  He has left indelible mark in the history of India. He worked with dedication, strength, intelligent and exerted his authority despite many hurdles. He shall go in the history of Indian Dalit empowerment

Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan 

"Khamoosh Hazrat Khamoosh Hasmat    

Agar Hai Jajba Wattan Ka Dil Main ,

Saza Ko Pohnchain Ge Apni  Beshak

Zo aaj Hamko Mitta Rhe Hain,

Bujdiloon Hi Ko Sada Moyt Se Darte Dekha

Goo  Ke Soo Bar Unhain Roz  Hi  Marte Dekha,

Wattan Hamara Rahe Saj Kam Aur Azad

Hamara Kaya Hai Agar Hum Rahe Na Rahe Na Rahe ,

Kass Lee Hai Kamar Ab To Kush Kar Ke Dekhain Ge

Azad Hee Hoo Leinge Ya Sar hee Kata Deinge" 

This is the Urdu poem composed by Ashfaq Ullal Khan, who earned the supreme distinction of being the first Muslim youth to be hanged for the cause of the freedom of Mother India. Ashfaq Ullal Khan imbibed the spirit of Patriotism, Unity, Communal Harmony & supreme sacrifice for the country. He falls in the of great revolutionaries & martyrs like  Amar Sheed Bhagat singh, sukhdev,Rrajguru , Jatinder Nath Dass,  Rani Jansi , Veerangini Jalkari Bhai, Virsa Munda,Mangle Panday,Dulia Dhobi,Mangal Mochi, Kammon kesri Khushi Ram ,Jatra Bhagat , Udham singh , Neta ji subash chander bose,  Veeragini Mahaveeri devi & lakhs other  unknown heroes of Indian Independence Movement.

A very handsome revolutionary son of Mother India    Ashfaq Ullal Khan, was born on October 22nd , 1900 at Shahjahanpur U.P. in a  respectable &   known Muslim family. His birth was celebrated with a great pump& show. from his childhood  Ashfaq Ullal Khan started taking interest  in  the Freedom Movement & the activities of the freedom fighters moved his tender mind. He was a student of the Mission High school at Shahjahanpur, one class junior to another great revolutionary PanditRam Parshad Bismil., a staunch Arya Samaji Hindu. Both of them made unparallel sacrifices for the Freedom Movement.

Ashfaq Ullal Khan left school during Khilafat Movement in 1920 to devote himself fully to educate his countrymen for the Freedom Movement. Many of his near friends advised him not to jump into freedom movement, which was full of difficulties & sufferings including jailed life & even death sentence. But Ashfaq Ullal Khan was made of different stuff, who had decided to sacrifice for the freedom of his Motherland.

To raise money for purchasing weapons for the revolutionaries it was decided (although Ashfaq Ullal Khan differed initially, but agreed with the majority decision) to loot a train carrying Govt. Treasury The train was successfully looted on August 8, 1925 between Alamnagar & Kakoi stations.  Among the train robbers were Sachinder Nath Bakshi; Rajinder Nath Lahiri; Pandit Ram Parshad Bismil & Ashfaq ullah Khan. The train robbery sent shock waves to the British administration & praises for the revolutionaries. Two close confidents of Pt. RPBismil leaked the information & got arrested some revolutionaries, but Ashfaq ullah Khan escaped  to Daltonganj in Bihar, where he succeeded in getting employment in  a school  posing as a Hindu of Mathura. But alas again a close confident of Ashfaq ullah Khan betrayed & got Ashfaq ullah Khan arrested. Ashfaq ullah Khan was brought to Lahore, tried along with Sachinder Nath Bakshi in Kakoi railway station case & sentenced to death. A day before his death he told, to his friends who came to see him in the cell, jokily that he was getting married next day.

On December 19th, 1927, the day of his execution Ashfaq ullah Khan got up early in the morning, took bath offered Namaz & read verses from the Holy Quran. At 6 in the morning he was taken to the altar platform for execution. He was walking carrying a Quran in a bag hanging from his shoulder & was reciting its verses. After kissing the noose he put it around his neck as if it was a garland of flowers. He said “I have never stained my hands with the

Blood of any man. I will get justice before God. All the charges leveled against me are wrong.” After kissing the noose he put it around his neck as if it was a garland of flowers and was hanged. His body was taken by his relatives to Shahjahanpur to perform his last rights.

Amar Shaheed Ashfaq ullah Khan was a true freedom fighter & a great secular. He saved an Arya Samaji  temple from being burnt by rioters. He said “All places of worship, irrespective of the religion, they belong to, are dear to life more than his life.” In his last prayer he prayed to God to bless Hindus & Muslims with better sense so that they don’t fight among themselves and work untidily for the Freedom Movement of the country .

References - 

Ashfaq ullah Khan, A Great Revolutionary & Freedom Fighter, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting GOI

Babu Jagjivan Ram

  Babu Jagjivan Ram was one of the brightest stars of the  Indian political horizon.  By dint of his excellent qualities of head & heart, he carried all   the assignments with distinction as political leader, parliamentarian, social reformer, administrator, Indian Union Minister, Labour & Dalit leader. The upsurge in East Pakistan against the West Pakistan suppression resulted in great influx of refugees to India, which in turn became main cause of Bangla Desh liberation war. As then Defense Minister of Indian Union, Babu Jagjivan Ram was the main architect to win 1971 Bangla Desh War resulting in carving out Independent Sovereign Bangladesh from Pakistan, formerly called as East Pakistan. This was perhaps the only war in Indian History of many centuries when India captured alive over 90,000 enemy soldiers including highest ranking commanders and successfully defaced the enemy country. He was not cowed down by the presence of American’s 7th fleet of war ships in the area for strategic support to Pakistan. Although his chances of becoming Prime minister Of Indian Union were blocked four times yet he did not loose heart and continued to serve his mother land including the disadvantaged poor and downtrodden peoples.

Babu Jagjivan Ram   was born on 5^th April 1908 in village Chandwa Distt. Bhojpur (then shahbad ) in Bihar   State. His father Mahant  Shri Shobhi Ram and mother Shrimati Basanti Devi were agriculture labourers & belonged to“Untouchable” caste namely Asprisya (chamar). It seems that the name Jagjivan has been drawn from the verse of Guru Ravidas “  Prabhuji Sangat Saran  Tihari, Jagjivan Murari” Babu Ji , as he was affectionately addressed, by his followers was born in lowest of low castes of Hindu Religion.  . Although Shudras, untouchables, or Dalits observed all Hindu Religious ceremonies on births, marriages, deaths etc, but were forced to live in poverty, & squalor  without any right to complain or to come out of man made  hell. However this did not deter child Jagjivan Ram to get educated & rise to the rank of Deputy Prime Minister of biggest world Democracy.

Many odd circumstances of life for any Dalit during those times were difficult to sumount for child Jagjivan. However he was lucky that before his birth social war to break religious shackles of prejudice against Dalits had been started in different parts of India by saints & social reformers like Mahatma Jyotirba Phule, Mata savitribhai Phule (Father & Mother of Hindu women Education in Pune, India), Chhaterpati Sahuji Maharaj of Kohlapur, Narayan Guru, Parriyar E.V. Ramaswami, Guru Ghasidas, Gadge Ji Maharaj, Soami Daya Nanad Saraswati Ji, Raja Ram Mohan Rai, Mahatama Gandhi, Soami Viveka Nanda  and many  others.

Young Jagjivan Ram was admitted in a village primary school in January 1914 on Basant Panchami day. Unfortunately his father Mahant Shri Sobha Ram expired when Jagjivan Ram was only Six years old and the responsibility of bringing him up was shouldered by hisfather,s  brother  shri Sant Lal Ji.  On passing primary school examination Jagjivan Ram was admitted in Aggarwal Middle School in 1920. Jagjivan Ram was married as per customs at the tender age of eight. But Jagjivan Ram a sharp & intelligent student took great interest in his studies against all odds and he always stood first in his class He passed Matriculation Examination in the First Division. He developed great interest in General studies as well. The Ramayana Epic was his favorite; besides this he read other famous books. He was also a regular News paper reader. In 1922 he joined Arrah Town High School. During schooling young Jagjivan had to face caste prejudices and indignities like taking water from a separately kept earthen pitcher for untouchables. He used to revolt and he broke the pitcher many times. Although poverty ridden Jagjivan Ram never applied for scholarship granted on the basis of Untouchability, as in those days there was no provision of scholarship for Dalit students, he got Merit scholarship on the basis of his Merit. Babu Jagjivan Ram completed his Intermediate in science from Banaras Hindu University. In BHU hostel, he was refused meals by the upper class cook , so he had shifted to  a out side accommodation with the help of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Due to display of good qualities in young Jagjivan Ram, Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya took interests in him when Pandit Malviya ji visited Arrah in1926. In 1931 Babu Jagjivan Ram passed his B .Sc degree from Calcutta (Now Kolkata) University. During his Calcutta stay Babu Ji is reported to have earned nearness to Subash Chander Bose a rare brain to organize Indian to revolt against Britisg Crown to  cut slavery sickles

In 1932 at 24 years of age Babu jumped into National Movement for freedom of Harijans under Harijan Mukti Sang. Babu Jagjivan Ram came in contact of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1927 .Babu Ji was uniting untouchables of Kanpur, Kanshi & Calcutta and convincing them to take part in freedom struggle. On 3^rd Feb.1928 Babu Ji along with his large number of followers boycotted the Simon commission as a congress worker. Although Babu Ji was a stanch follower of Gandhi Ji, who was not compromising for the political liberation of Dalits by granting them separate electorate, as devised by British India under the Act of 1919, based on Montague –Chelmsford Report, clearly recognized the existence of untouchables & their problem for the representation in legislatures. But when Gandhi Ji started his fast unto Death on 20^th September 1932, in Yaravada Central Prison Poona, where he was lodged, to get nullified what the untouchables had got through Communal Award, Babu Ji also  opposed Gandhi’s move, as interests of Dalits were dear to him  than  any other thing.

It is due to the Poona Pact signed under duress by Dr Ambedkar to save life of Mahatma Gandhi  that no Dalit MLA or MP is owning their brethren .  During freedom struggle Babu Ji was arrested a number of times & was jailed continuously for a long time in 1940.

While addressing all India Scheduled Caste Elected Representatives from all States, along with Pt. Jawaharlal Lal Nehru at Nagpur in 1952 Babu Ji said” The rights granted by Constitution Of India to Sc/ ST and other weaker sections are being ignored &suppressed, because upper caste Hindus has not transformed their look out & mental thinking in line with changed circumstances. Hindu Samaj was sitting on a dump of explosive, which when exploded shall bring disaster. The Harijans have been brought to a situation, worst of which is perhaps impossible. To day Harijans have nothing to loose than their chains”. There after a close watch was kept on Babu Ji on the instance of Pt Jawaharlal Lal Nehru and Babu Ji was eased out of Government under KAMRAJ PLAN.

Babu Ji followed principals of Guru Ravidas Ji, his Religious Guru, and started celebrations of Ravidas Jyanti. Through out his life Babu Ji worked on the ideal of Golden verse of Guru Ravidas “I wish to have a rule, where every body irrespective of his/ her caste affiliation is fed well” Babu Ji ‘s love for his poor but progressive peoples can be gauged from the following one of many such instances instance. Babu Parmanand (Ex. Governor of Haryana), during his studies at Aligarh  University wrote to Babu Jagjivan Ram for financial help and got Rs 400/bymoney order which is more that Rs40000/ as per present rates. In 1933 his first wife died and he was again married second time to Inderani Devi in 1934.

Babu Ji was elected member of Bihar Vidhan Parishad in 1936, and he continuously kept wining as Member of Parliament from Bihar right up to 1984, two years before his death. In 1937, 1946 & 1957he was elected unopposed.  Babu Ji as a member of Constitution Drafting committee member contributed immensely during the constitution framing debates. Babu Ji adorned the high Offices of First Labour Minister, Communication Railways, Defense, Agriculture, Dy Prime Minister and he   successfully brought Green Revolution (1967 ) with bumper crops, labour laws of equal pay for equal work both for men& women, Nationalization of Air Transport( 1953 ) and liberation of Bangla Desh( 1971 ). He was an able administrator and a shrewd politician. When Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister Babu Ji was given the most fearful Agriculture Ministry portfolio, as the country then was in the grip of swear draught and shortage of food grains. Babu Ji gave the slogan of Green Revolution and put pressure on traders to bring out hidden grains from their Go downs, Babu Ji’ administrative skills succeeded like success and India became food grain exporter from a food deficit country.

On division in Congress party in 1969 Babu Ji acted as shield to Indira Gandhi, who nominated him as Congress President and so, succeeded in wonning Parliamentary Elections. Babu Ji never compromised for personnel gains on national issues which to his mind were detrimental to the Indian interests. He was against hero worship, but worshiper of value based principles. Nothing was dearer to him than his country and its peoples Babu Ji was against transfer of political power on the basis of family backgrounds and resisted the ways of Sanjay Gandhi . Indira Gandhi declared state Of Emergency in India which was disliked by Babu Ji and he was put under undeclared house arrest. Babu Ji resigned from Central Cabinet on 2^nd February 1977 and formed a new party “Congress For democracy”, so he paved way for formation of Janta Dal Government after Emergency. Here too Babu Ji was deceived by his upper caste colleagues & his legitimate right of becoming Prime Minister was sabotaged.

Although both Dr. Ambedkar & Babu Jagjivan Ram suffered   stigma of Untouchability but their ways of confronting it were different. Dr. Ambedkar was radical in thinking and announced that Hinduism was immune to reforms and its ways opposed to democratic norms but Babu Ji was polite and believed that rendering   financial, educational, employment support to SC/ST peoples shall loose their  economic slavery bonds and pave way for breaking them. So he worked for their welfare day and night and got implemented to the extent possible, the rules framed for welfare of deprived sections of society. But both leaders never confronted with each other on this account.  Dr. Ambedkar wanted to break the saddles of caste-ism by all means, whereas Babu Ji remained in the Hindu fold and tried for the upliftment of Downtrodden by effectively getting implemented the rules framed for the betterment of the Scheduled castes and other disadvantageous peoples resulting in elevating their financial status.

But the  radical Hindus section never changed and the statue of Sampunanand inaugurated by Babu Ji at Kanshi was subsequently washed with  cow urine, and Ganga water  by caste Hindus, claiming that the Stone statue was polluted by the touch of Babu Ji an untouchable. In 1968 while addressing largely attended delegation session of Depressed Classes League, at Parade Ground Jammu Babu Ji said “ Roti Aur Betti Brabri May Milti Hai , Biradri May Nahi ( bread & relations are possible between persons of in equal  financial status and not in equal caste status)” This spoke volumes of the wisdom of the speaker’ mind and a guidance to all weaker sections of society to get united to fight for their rights untidily forgetting their sub  caste affiliations. This public meeting was addressed among others by Pt. Trilochan Dutt, Chowdhary Guran Ditta Mal, Bhagat Chhajju Ram, Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath, then President Of J&K unit of the Bhartiya Depressed League Of India whose president was Babu Jagjivan Ram.  I had the rare opportunity to meet Babu Jagjivan Ram thrice and listen to his valuable views on many problems confronting the country, the deprived section of the society, and his wise & considered views to solve these problems.

After the unfortunate sudden death of his only son Suresh Kumar Babu’s heart was broken and he landed into many physical & mental problems and finally this able son of the soil breathed his last on 6th July 1986 at 10 am leaving behind his widow Inderani Devi and daughter Meera Kumar (Presently Speaker Indian Lok Sabha). His wife has also passed away.

Babu Ji shall be long remembered as practical source of light & guidance for the country particularly the suppressed and deprived class of peoples. Keeping in view the life long services of Babu Jagjivan Ram, the country has decided to celebrate year long Birth Century of Babu Jagjivan Ram starting from 5^th of April 2007, and the Government Of India along with State Governments have promised to start many welfare schemes for the poor and deserving section of the society. Bestowing Bharat Ratana Award, posthumously on Babu Jagjivan Ram shall be befitting tributes to the able son of India, who by his head & heart qualities rose against all odds and adorned the post Of Deputy Prime Minister of India. 

References:-
1 Hamare Dalit Gaurav by Raj Mal Raj Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi Delhi
2 The Laws of Manu Brain K. smith& W. Doniger( 1991 ) Penguin Classic Publishers 
3 The Samtavadi Bharat April- June 2004 Baba sahib Dr. BR Ambedkar Mission of India 123. VP House Rafi Marg N Delhi 
4 Sagarsh Ke Patik Babu Parmanand Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi Delhi 
5. A note printed by Jagjivan Vidya Bhawan New Delhi-55 written by Shri Manjul Kumar