• Capt. Praveen Davar

Babu Jagjivan Ram was one of the outstanding political figures of modern India who devoted his entire life to the service of people, especially the weaker and vulnerable sections of society. He was the country’s longest serving Union Minister and also the first Dalit Minister who represented the Parliament and Central Legislature for an uninterrupted period of half a century - from 1936 to 1986. A distinguished Defence Minister twice, he was also the Deputy Prime Minister of India in 1979.

Babuji, as he was endearingly called, passed away at the age of 78 on July 6, 1986. His statue was unveiled in Parliament House in 1995 by the then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma in the presence of Vice President KR Narayanan, Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Speaker Lok Sabha Shivraj Patil and Smt. Meira Kumar (later Speaker and Union Minister). Later, in 2005, a Babu Jagjivan Ram commemorative volume was brought out by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. This article is based on some of the tributes paid to Babuji by his contemporaries and eminent public personalities who figure in this archival material.

The foreword of the commemorative volume by the then Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee itself captures the essence of Babu Jagjivan Ram’s stature and immense contribution to the nation: ‘A Parliamentarian of eight consecutive terms, which covered the formative years of our Republic, Babu Jagjivan Ram shone brilliantly in our public life and came up to be a leader of eminence...He was one of the titans who symbolized the dawn of a new era of assertion, equality and empowerment for the depressed classes... Babu Jagjivan Ram always maintained a dignified demeanor in the Parliament and outside. He is still remembered for his calm and composed disposition even amidst the stormiest moments in the House. He was known for his logical arguments, persuasive power and debating skills and for his ability to carry all sections of the House with him... Jagjivan Ram, undoubtedly, was one of the brightest examples of success amongst adversity. His humble background could not deter him from standing up against the age old caste and community prejudices. Rather, he fought his way and earned his place of distinction in the annals of social reforms in India.’ Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was the Prime Minister when the volume was brought out, wrote in his message: ‘Mahatma Gandhi described him as a priceless jewel and wrote “My heart goes out in respectful admiration to Jagjivan Ram for his having emerged as the purest gold out of fire.” His passion for social justice and social change was reflected in the numerous decisions he took and several legislations he piloted as a Minister in the Union Cabinet for more than three decades. Combining the vision of Mahatma Gandhi with the modern approach of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he remained a forward-looking leader and excelled as an able administrator. Shri Jagjivan Ram’s vision of a casteless society and his emphasis on a mental revolution to wipe out caste prejudices is of abiding relevance for our time.’

The 13th President of India Pranab Mukherjee who was the Defence Minister (2004-6) recalled the outstanding record of Babu Jagjivan Ram as a Union Minister: ‘In his long ministerial career, he proved to be one of the best Ministers the country had ever produced. He dealt with various portfolios ranging from Labour, Communications, Railways to Agriculture and Defence where he made his presence felt by sheer competence. As Defence Minister, he was always a source of inspiration to the officers and jawans. I still remember during the Bangladesh War when the US establishment threatened to send the 7th Fleet to the Bay of Bengal in order to embolden Pakistan, the bold and famous utterances of Babuji that the 7th Fleet will be sunk in Bay of Bengal, which not only demonstrated courage and conviction of a nation, but also helped in the freedom struggle of a neighbouring country.’ This is corroborated by former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar who was the Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs in 2005: ‘He managed the affairs of the Defence Forces during this period with great efficiency. He used to frequently visit the jawans posted in the far-flung areas and boosted their morale by impressing on them that it was the man behind the machine which made a difference. Through his calm resolve and intelligent observations, he also won admirations of the Generals and Commanders... The welfare of the jawans was very close to his heart. He evolved many beneficial programmes for their resettlement - like medical treatment at Army hospitals and employment opportunities for the disabled, education and family pensions for the families of the deceased.’ On Babuji’s massive contribution to food production, Shri Sharad Pawar highlights: ‘In January 1967, Babu Jagjivan Ram took over as the Minister for Food and Agriculture...His years in the Ministry proved to be a boon for the country...the production of wheat increased from 12 million tonne to 23 million tonne.

Such near doubling of production of wheat in about four years’ time was not witnessed even in developed countries like the United States and Canada. In fact, the total production of food production of food grains increased from 74 million tonne to 98 million tonne during his tenure as the Food and Agriculture Minister. ‘

According to former Union Minister Mohan Dharia, Babu Jagjivan Ram was a great humanitarian who firmly believed that a society based on caste has no place in modern secular India. It is not a crime to take birth in a particular family belonging to any caste, sub- caste or religion. It is all decided not because of the faith of any individual, but because of his or her birth in a particular family. For such an act beyond the control of any individual, a society that penalizes the individual cannot be a just society; it is tantamount to penalizing humanity itself. Throughout his life, Babu Jagjivan Ram stood firmly so that one’s fate should not be decided on the basis of birth.’

A few days after his death, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi led the nation in paying rich tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram in the Lok Sabha on July 17, 1986: ‘He was amongst the tallest in his generation- first as a freedom fighter and then as a builder of modern India... He commanded respect from all sections of our society. He was not limited just to Bihar or to Harijans; he was a leader of India. His personality, his mastery of expression, his formidable political and parliamentary skills, his administrative capability - all led to the building and structuring of India, of bringing our societies together, of joining our country and strengthening our country. Throughout his career, he held many demanding portfolios and did tremendous work in any area that he was in. This House will remember and miss his vision, his vast experience, his never failing humour and humanity.’

Exactly three decades ago, on August 25, 1995, a statue of Babu Jagjivan Ram was unveiled in Parliament House at the entrance hall of the Lok Sabha Lobby by then Rashtrapati Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma in the presence of Vice President KR Narayanan, Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and Speaker Lok Sabha, Shivraj Patil who had taken the initiative of having installed the statue in Parliament. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma stated: ‘It is not easy to appreciate today what effort it must have required to have overcome the hierarchical barriers of a caste ridden society. It took a fighter like Babuji to break out the shackles which had enslaved so many of our brethren... Jagjivan Ramji soon established himself as the authentic spokesman for the suffering and the oppressed...Even the colonial power acknowledged Babuji’s position as an outstanding representative of the weaker sections...His achievements are the story of the change which has taken place in our society in this century, one which is still taking place and which, it is our duty to carry forward.’

Shri PV Narasimha Rao explained how Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had abiding faith in Babuji’s abilities: ‘ Pandit Nehru recognized his administrative acumen and entrusted to him Ministries which would provide basic infrastructure for the development of the country...His most outstanding achievement was as Agriculture Minister and then Defence Minister under the Prime Ministership of Mrs. Gandhi. He ushered the country into the Green Revolution laying the foundations of self-sufficiency in food. He used his pragmatic approach to increase the agricultural production and gave remunerative prices to the farmers. As Defence Minister, he provided excellent leadership in the 1971 conflict and was a major source of support to the dynamic leadership of Mrs. Gandhi.’

It is a matter of immense pride for the Indian National Congress that an outstanding political leader like Babu Jagjivan Ram, a national icon who excelled in every portfolio he held, rose from its ranks

(The writer is a former Secretary AICC and Editor, The Secular Saviour)