• Dr. Shashi Kumar Singh, Ph.D., D.Lit

Babu Jagjivan Ram, former Deputy Prime Minister, Government of India was born on April 05, 1908, in Chandwa village of Arrah (present Bhojpur district), the headquarter of the then Shahabad district of Bihar province. His father Sant Shri Shobhi Ram and mother Basanti Devi were themselves simple-natured. At the age of six, in 1914, on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami, he was enrolled in the school (primary school) of Chandwa village. In the same year, his father left for his heavenly abode. The entire burden of Jagjivan Ram’s upbringing and education fell on his mother Vasanti Devi. Babu Jagjivan Ram completed his primary and secondary education in Mahajani School and Town School of Arrah. In 1925, he became a delegate in the 18th session of the student conference in Arrah. The responsibility of delivering the welcome speech of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was entrusted to him. Pandit Malviya was extremely impressed by his speech, so much so, that he invited Jagjivan Babu to Kashi Hindu University for higher studies.

After passing the matriculation examination with first division, Babu Jagjivan Ram enrolled himself in Kashi Hindu University, Banaras in July, 1926. After passing the I.S.C. examination, he passed the B.Sc. examination from Calcutta University in 1928. He wanted to become a scientist but to free Mother India from the shackles of slavery, he plunged into the freedom movement. During this time, he came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was impressed by his contribution to the freedom movement at a young age and honored Babu Jagjivan Ram with the words ‘gold tested in fire’. During this time, in 1934, he founded the Ravidas Mahasabha which was the first religious, social organization of the followers of Guru Ravidas. On June 01, 1935, he married Indrani Devi, daughter of Dr. Veerbal, a famous social worker of Kanpur who was awarded the Victoria Medal. Thereafter, he was blessed with Suresh Kumar as a son and Meera Kumar as a daughter. In 1935, he laid the foundation of Bharatiya Dalit Varg Sangh, which was the first political organization of Dalits of the country. In front of the Hammond Commission which came to India from Britain in 1935, he presented his views on the problems of Dalits’ voting rights and debated vigorously. As a result, Harijans were able to exercise their right to vote in the elections of 1936-37. Elections were held in 1937 under the Indian Act of 1935 in which Congress won in Bihar and other eight provinces. The British rulers had given all the powers to the British governors of the provinces, so Congress decided not to form the government in these provinces. The British formed a ‘doll cabinet’ in Bihar under the Prime Ministership of Yunus. A huge price was offered to Babu Jagjivan Ram to make him join it. If Congress MLAs were bought in Bihar, it would have become easy for the British to do so in other provinces as well. This would have caused great damage to the Congress and the freedom movement. Babu Jagjivan Ram rejected Yunus’ proposal and passed that ordeal. Father of the Nation Gandhiji’s magazine ‘Harijan’ praised Babu Jagjivan Ram in these words - “This person from the Dalit class has shown how high ideals can be maintained even while living in poverty. Will the so-called upper caste Hindus learn something from the conduct of this great servant of India?” During this time, in 1937, Babu Jagjivan Ram formed the Khetihar Mazdoor Sabha. This was the first leading organization working in the interest of the agricultural laborers.

Babu Jagjivan Ram’s parliamentary life is a world record. In 1932, he became a member of the Arrah Municipality. During the freedom movement, in 1936, he became a member of the Bihar Legislative Council. In December 1937, Babu Jagjivan was elected unopposed from East Central Shahabad Rural Area to the Bihar Legislative Assembly from the Dalit Varg Sangh. He also worked to ensure that 14 Dalit Varg Sangh members from the reserved category won unopposed. In the 1946 elections, he was elected unopposed from the Congress and became the Labour Minister in the interim government at the Centre. In this interim government formed on the invitation of Viceroy Lord Wavell, there were only two ministers from Bihar - Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Babu Jagjivan Ram.

Babu Jagjivan Ram was a dynamic and energetic politician. The distinction of being elected as an MP from the same parliamentary constituency (Sasaram) for eight consecutive times (1st to 8th Lok Sabha, 1952-1984) testifies his talent and efficiency. The public was always amazed by his clear vision and found that he was a Karmayogi who was completely dedicated to the welfare of the common man and especially the Dalits.

His tenure of half a century from 1936 to 1986 is perhaps a world record in parliamentary history. He started his political career as a nominated member of the Bihar Legislative Council in 1936 and was honoured with the post of Deputy Prime Minister in 1979. Till his demise on July 06, 1986, he remained a shining force in the national political scene. Working with four Prime Ministers as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of various departments, he rendered unparalleled service to the common man. He had a wonderful ability to understand the real situation and take quick decisions. Some of the programmes for the upliftment of the common man initiated by him have proved to be a milestone in achieving the goal cherished by Bapu - to wipe away the tears from every eye. In spite of his special positions and successes, he was a very humble and down-to-earth politician.

The most important contribution of Jagjivan Babu is that he had a vision of a new social order, which plays an important role in shaping the destiny of India. Babu Jagjivan Ram started a new era of protection, equality and empowerment of the Dalit classes. His life was a positive statement of the identity of the backward classes. His credibility, dedication and political strength generated self-confidence and enthusiasm among the Dalit and backward classes. His achievements can be seen as a remarkable effort towards a new social order in India. He sincerely worked for all classes rising above caste and religion, and paid special attention to those who were more oppressed and backward socially and economically. Babu Jagjivan Ram was very interested in education and learning, which is why he built Jagjivan College by donating his personal land in his ancestral village Chandwa (Arrah, Bihar). This college is currently an affiliated unit of Veer Kunwar Singh University, where students come from far-away places to pursue higher education.

On July 06, 1986, this great and extraordinary national leader and the messiah of Dalits, passed away in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi. On July 07, 1986, his cremation took place in his native village Chandwa (Arrah, Bihar). The then Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, participated in it. Apart from this, many politicians of the country and eminent people who respected Jagjivan Babu participated in his last rites.

The author is a member of All-India Congress Committee and Chairman of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (Vichar Vibhag)