Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath (27th Sep.1918 to- 1st june1970). (Martyr For Reservation in J&K State for SCs, whose Anniversary falls on1st June 2026) Compiler: Er. Hem Raj Phonsa, Jammu Contact +91 9419134060 This is the story of struggle and finally martyrdom of a marginalised say a Scheduled Caste (SC) child born at village Champa near Batote Tehsil Ramban Distt Udhampur (Now Ramban) The son of the soil, Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath was born on Friday the 27th Sep.1918.The child was in a Bhagat or Megh family now one of the 14 of Scheduled Castes. His parents were respected Shri Moti Ram and Shrimati Janki Devi After completing his school education up to Middle standard; he joined service in NAC Batote and later in the health department. He got married to Shrimati Shanti Devi at a young age. She continued to live at Champa with her children and led a Samajic life, while her husband Bhagat Amarnath Ji lived even at Jammu to work for upliftment of his Dalit Samaj. Sadly, Shrimati Shanti Devi also has passed away on 15th March,2025, at a ripe age. Bhagat Amarnath family lived at Champa, Batote. Bhagat Ji first faced from child hood humanity’s worst treatment due to his low caste, the caste hates vagaries including hateful treatment under untouchability Davil. The Bhagat (Megh), even Kabirpanthi, fell in the category of Ati-Shudra as per classification of Hindu religion Law Book Manusmriti. However , Manusmriti classified Aryas, later Hindus into four Vernas and per projected, the division into Vernas was on the basis of the division of work, to get effective services to the society. The Vernas and their work division in nut shell were as: a)Brahman—To get educated, spread education and conduct all systems in Vedic Vidhi’s -- वैदिक विधि (Vedic defined ways through Mantras) b) Kshatriyas: Warrior and rulers to rule and defend the national territories, keep arms and take/give martial training, give award for Gallant -rial jobs and ward punishments for faults committed by individual. C) Vaishya: To conduct business, arrange supply (Import and export) of things for public utility and necessity, agriculture etc. d) Shudras: Unskilled, skilled workers to perform service to all the four Verna persons in all possible ways. They had no rights to keep property. As Verna was not birth based, say the verna of parents, so persons from a, b, c Vernas could fall down even up to Shudras and reverse of it was also possible. Vamik a Shudra, said to be a robber in his early life, when refined himself became writer of Ramayana Epic, which normally a Brahmin should have done, as per their duty charter. Supach Rishi from Shudra Verana, gained spiritual powers by his Bhagti, Supach is a caste lowest of low of all castes. when took meals in Ashvamedha Yajna (अश्वमेध यज्ञ) of Pandvaa conducted by them after Maha-Bhart Epic war, the Conch sound was heard. The presence and taking meals in Ashvamedha Yajna by 88 thousand sages, 33 crore deities, 9 Nathas, 84 perfected beings, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, all the invited guests had food. Shri Krishna also ate at the feast, but the conch was not blown. ( Ref Gita Chapter 3:13 and https://www.jagatgururampalji.org/hi/great-devotees/supach-sudarshan/ Ved Vyasa was son of Satyavati, a fisher woman and Rishi Parashara became author of THE Mahabharata, Bhagwat Gita and many Hindu religious books (Wikipedia). The pleasure of being in Verna (a, b, c) and curse of serving as Shudra made the division lives permanent and Verna at birth of a person. So, the heart burning started. Clean job -related Verna by and by became power points and permanent slavery of Shudra called Verna persons. The rules, rituals and dogmas related to division of jobs became hard, at times impossible to carry by poor persons, so they were declared as out castes, so Vernas changed in Castes, and Untouchability bases hate born to supress Shudra Caste persons for all times to come. Resistance to such unfortunate situation was bound to come, it came and with it came unrest in the society of Aryans, who were said to have reached this continent as raiders over 2500 years ago. This unrest is continuing. Although the reservation in services and Elected Houses for the S/C’s, S/T ’s on the basis of population percentage of these castes, is inked in 1932 Poona Pact but affected in services from 1944 as per Act of 1935.It was duly reinforced with the enactment of the Indian Constitution 1950. But it remained elusive in J&K state till 1970, putting all blames on Article 370. But unfortunately, even with revoking of Art.370 from 5 August 2019 from J&K, nothing better has been achieved in the reservation sector for the reserved category people. In the J&K state like other states and UT’s, protests against atrocities against SCs, STs, OBCs along with the caste hate acts of individuals and collective have been raised at different times by these caste leaders and associations. A public meeting was organized in village Rattian Miran Sahib, Tehsil R.S Pura, Jammu, where over 1,00,000 public representatives are reported to have participated. Religious leaders of Sikhs, Muslim, Christians and Hindus were invited to explain them, agony of hate, suffering from untouchability practice with Harijans by the upper caste Hindus. On getting very favourable response from all other religious leaders, for the suffering Harijans, if the Harijans join their religions. But the Hindu representative attending conference, asked for 90 days’ time in replying Harijan’s demands. On this the conference proceedings came to halt, with request to all delegates, that they will be again called after 90 days, if reply of the Hindu leaders was not favourable. But the Hindu leaders asked for 90 days’ time to respond on demands of Harijans. A deputation of Megh Samaj met the Galaxy Commission in 1931 to explain their poverty ridden conditions with request for redressal of their miseries. The Commission was formed by Maharaja Hari Singh to study the reasons of unrest prevailing in the state and also to give suitable recommendation for the needed rectification including formation of Praja Sabha, for greater public participations in the government administration. In line with the recommendations Jagat Ram Aryan was nominated to Praja Sabha in 1932. He put forth demands of welfare of his people, which were supported by some good-hearted Hindu leaders also. These efforts succeeded in getting some relief under Maharaj’s Hari Singh’s orders for Harijans viz. opening of entry to temples, water well and tanks, public places, admission of their children in schools with grant of Scholar ships to school going Harijan children. But no respite was given in services to these slaves to the British Slaves and they got only small jobs. Babu Milkhi Ram and many others Harijans also joined the team of Dalit leaders. For the first time the Dalits in J&K organized fast unto death thrice, first at Chhan Arorian, Tehsil Hira Nagar in 1955, later in Parade Ground & third time in Karan Park Jammu in 1957, against excesses being perpetuated on them by upper caste peoples and government under their control. The main demands were to stop dispossession of SC farmers from their allotted agriculture land , provision for reservation in services, scholarships to students pursuing education courses and provisions for free education up to post graduation. On their own strength they won 1957 on their own party “Harijan Mandle” . Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath blew the bugle for the finishing struggle in May 1970 which created a strong wave in J&K forcing the J&K State to issue circular instructions to provide Reservation in services in 1969 and 1970. This struggle continued for 63 years in one form or the other & finally J&K Legislature passed law in 2004 giving legal teeth to the Rules of Reservation in services by issuing Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 Dated19/23 March, 2004. The struggle continues to get promotions as per roster approved by the government through protests, court cases for denied promotions etc. Bhagat ji resigned from the Govt. job and joined social service. He joined Congress party and was elected as Congress Block President and later was made the Secretary. To full fill his dreams of uplifting and betterment of the depressed classes educationally, socially, economically, he came to Jammu from his native place with an explicit motive, and to work to secure justice for Dalit Samaj of J&K in particular. He worked in Bhartiya Depressed Classes league, an all-India Origination founded in 1935 by Babu Jagjivan Ram, union minister and later Deputy Prime Minister. The organization was as unit of INC and had spread its wings all over India for the welfare of the depressed classes’ peoples. Bhagat Amar Nath was made President of this Organization in J&K. Its HQ was established in two Municipal Corporation shops on Jogi gate Road, Shahidi Chowk Jammu. Its General Secretary was Choudhary Guran Ditta Mal an MLA and Vice Chairman of S/C’s Welfare Board. All other Dalit leaders including M.L.A’ s , Ministers of J&K were members. A Weekly Urdu News Paper named “PASMANDGI” was started from Jammu to raise a forcefully voice against denial of the just rights of depressed Classes peoples in J&K State. The write ups in the “Pasmandgi” paper helped in uniting the Dalit masses. An All India one day convention of the Bhartiya Depressed Classes league was held in 1968 in Parade ground Jammu which was presided over by Babu Jagjivan Ram and was attended by over 20,000 peoples. Among others Bhagat Amarnath, Pandit Trilochan Dutt addressed the gathering. Bhagat Amaranth spoke forcefully pleading for granting due rights to the Depressed Classes persons in recruitments and promotions in services, grant of scholarships to the deserving students up to all levels of education including university level, stopping illegal dislocation of small farmers from their rightful possession and many more problems faced by common people. By this time Bhagat Ji had developed close contacts with Jammu’s Harijan leaders and also government officer in government departments. Till 1969 the J&K State SCs, with other deserving castes had no reservation in services for 37years from Poona Pact, and 19 years from adoption of Indian Constitution. However in 1969 under pressure of Dalit leaders and masses issue of circular order vide G.O No 252-GD of 1969 dated 3-2-1969 and Govt. Notification No 37 GR of 1970 dated 28th April 1970 for providing reservation in services for the SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s the state Govt. But despite this Government agencies showed lack lust interests to implement the reservation rules in services in letter and spirit. Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath, then aged 50 years took it very seriously and a comprehensive note containing detailed demands, pointing out lapses and ill-conceived intention of the state Govt. officials and officers with caste rigid politician, was submitted to the State government. When the State government failed to give positive respond, he intensified his nonstop agitation in the entire Jammu province by leading many processions, demonstrations, public meetings for the expeditious redressal of core issue including reservation. An ultimatum with deadline was given to state Govt. to take remedial measures soon otherwise he shall go for fast unto death. When convinced that the state government was not taking his threats seriously, he under took fast unto death. Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath voluntarily offered himself for the supreme sacrifice and resolved to observe silence and subsequently sat on fast unto death on 21-05-1970 in Karan Park in front of civil secretariat gate. A day before taking the extreme step of stating fast unto death by Bhagat Ji, this writer met him in Karan Park and discussed some of his apprehensions that masses were yet not prepared fully for such an extreme step and requested him to work in the field for some more time to prepare the masses for such a step, but Bhagat Ji brushed aside my apprehensions and followed his under taken pledge. Bhagat ji submitted a charter of 17 demands to the government, basis of his resentment to undertake extreme step. He also made it clear to his flowers that in case of his death, there should be no “Violent Protests”. For protests non- violent methods, be adopted. He made it clear that no member of his family shall demand any favour, compensation for his death. His health condition deteriorated so he was shifted to SMGS Hospital Jammu. But despite efforts by prominent physician of that time Dr. Manhas the condition continued to worsen. Bhagat sahib refused to take any medical treatment. Unfortunately committed son of the soil, Bhagat Amaranth achieved martyrdom on the 1st June 1970. His supreme sacrifice for the cause of the Scheduled Castes reservation and other problems forced the government to make consorted efforts to implement rules for reservation in services for the SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s. Martyrdom of Bhagat Amar Nath in 1970 proved final blow to hurdles in providing Reservation in Services in J&K State. Rules (ACT) to give the Reservation on sound legal footing is services for SCs, STc, OBCs was issued vide Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 Dated19/23 March, 2004 for which contributions of Dalit masses and leaders was force to convince the State government to heed to the just demands of the depressed classes people. Our peoples made concerted efforts both in side Assemblies and outside including life sacrifice by Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath Ji. The sacrifices of Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath Ji shall remain fresh in the minds of coming generation, who shall enjoy the benefits of his Martyrdom. Long Live Memories of Bhagat Amar Nath JI. Every year June 1st.is celebrated as a memory day of Shaheed and tributes are given with tears.

Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath (27th Sep.1918 to- 1st june1970). (Martyr For Reservation in J&K State for SCs, whose Anniversary falls on1st June 2026) Compiler: Er. Hem Raj Phonsa, Jammu Contact +91 9419134060 This is the story of struggle and finally martyrdom of a marginalised say a Scheduled Caste (SC) child born at village Champa near Batote Tehsil Ramban Distt Udhampur (Now Ramban) The son of the soil, Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath was born on Friday the 27th Sep.1918.The child was in a Bhagat or Megh family now one of the 14 of Scheduled Castes. His parents were respected Shri Moti Ram and Shrimati Janki Devi After completing his school education up to Middle standard; he joined service in NAC Batote and later in the health department. He got married to Shrimati Shanti Devi at a young age. She continued to live at Champa with her children and led a Samajic life, while her husband Bhagat Amarnath Ji lived even at Jammu to work for upliftment of his Dalit Samaj. Sadly, Shrimati Shanti Devi also has passed away on 15th March,2025, at a ripe age. Bhagat Amarnath family lived at Champa, Batote. Bhagat Ji first faced from child hood humanity’s worst treatment due to his low caste, the caste hates vagaries including hateful treatment under untouchability Davil. The Bhagat (Megh), even Kabirpanthi, fell in the category of Ati-Shudra as per classification of Hindu religion Law Book Manusmriti. However , Manusmriti classified Aryas, later Hindus into four Vernas and per projected, the division into Vernas was on the basis of the division of work, to get effective services to the society. The Vernas and their work division in nut shell were as: a)Brahman—To get educated, spread education and conduct all systems in Vedic Vidhi’s -- वैदिक विधि (Vedic defined ways through Mantras) b) Kshatriyas: Warrior and rulers to rule and defend the national territories, keep arms and take/give martial training, give award for Gallant -rial jobs and ward punishments for faults committed by individual. C) Vaishya: To conduct business, arrange supply (Import and export) of things for public utility and necessity, agriculture etc. d) Shudras: Unskilled, skilled workers to perform service to all the four Verna persons in all possible ways. They had no rights to keep property. As Verna was not birth based, say the verna of parents, so persons from a, b, c Vernas could fall down even up to Shudras and reverse of it was also possible. Vamik a Shudra, said to be a robber in his early life, when refined himself became writer of Ramayana Epic, which normally a Brahmin should have done, as per their duty charter. Supach Rishi from Shudra Verana, gained spiritual powers by his Bhagti, Supach is a caste lowest of low of all castes. when took meals in Ashvamedha Yajna (अश्वमेध यज्ञ) of Pandvaa conducted by them after Maha-Bhart Epic war, the Conch sound was heard. The presence and taking meals in Ashvamedha Yajna by 88 thousand sages, 33 crore deities, 9 Nathas, 84 perfected beings, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, all the invited guests had food. Shri Krishna also ate at the feast, but the conch was not blown. ( Ref Gita Chapter 3:13 and https://www.jagatgururampalji.org/hi/great-devotees/supach-sudarshan/ Ved Vyasa was son of Satyavati, a fisher woman and Rishi Parashara became author of THE Mahabharata, Bhagwat Gita and many Hindu religious books (Wikipedia). The pleasure of being in Verna (a, b, c) and curse of serving as Shudra made the division lives permanent and Verna at birth of a person. So, the heart burning started. Clean job -related Verna by and by became power points and permanent slavery of Shudra called Verna persons. The rules, rituals and dogmas related to division of jobs became hard, at times impossible to carry by poor persons, so they were declared as out castes, so Vernas changed in Castes, and Untouchability bases hate born to supress Shudra Caste persons for all times to come. Resistance to such unfortunate situation was bound to come, it came and with it came unrest in the society of Aryans, who were said to have reached this continent as raiders over 2500 years ago. This unrest is continuing. Although the reservation in services and Elected Houses for the S/C’s, S/T ’s on the basis of population percentage of these castes, is inked in 1932 Poona Pact but affected in services from 1944 as per Act of 1935.It was duly reinforced with the enactment of the Indian Constitution 1950. But it remained elusive in J&K state till 1970, putting all blames on Article 370. But unfortunately, even with revoking of Art.370 from 5 August 2019 from J&K, nothing better has been achieved in the reservation sector for the reserved category people. In the J&K state like other states and UT’s, protests against atrocities against SCs, STs, OBCs along with the caste hate acts of individuals and collective have been raised at different times by these caste leaders and associations. A public meeting was organized in village Rattian Miran Sahib, Tehsil R.S Pura, Jammu, where over 1,00,000 public representatives are reported to have participated. Religious leaders of Sikhs, Muslim, Christians and Hindus were invited to explain them, agony of hate, suffering from untouchability practice with Harijans by the upper caste Hindus. On getting very favourable response from all other religious leaders, for the suffering Harijans, if the Harijans join their religions. But the Hindu representative attending conference, asked for 90 days’ time in replying Harijan’s demands. On this the conference proceedings came to halt, with request to all delegates, that they will be again called after 90 days, if reply of the Hindu leaders was not favourable. But the Hindu leaders asked for 90 days’ time to respond on demands of Harijans. A deputation of Megh Samaj met the Galaxy Commission in 1931 to explain their poverty ridden conditions with request for redressal of their miseries. The Commission was formed by Maharaja Hari Singh to study the reasons of unrest prevailing in the state and also to give suitable recommendation for the needed rectification including formation of Praja Sabha, for greater public participations in the government administration. In line with the recommendations Jagat Ram Aryan was nominated to Praja Sabha in 1932. He put forth demands of welfare of his people, which were supported by some good-hearted Hindu leaders also. These efforts succeeded in getting some relief under Maharaj’s Hari Singh’s orders for Harijans viz. opening of entry to temples, water well and tanks, public places, admission of their children in schools with grant of Scholar ships to school going Harijan children. But no respite was given in services to these slaves to the British Slaves and they got only small jobs. Babu Milkhi Ram and many others Harijans also joined the team of Dalit leaders. For the first time the Dalits in J&K organized fast unto death thrice, first at Chhan Arorian, Tehsil Hira Nagar in 1955, later in Parade Ground & third time in Karan Park Jammu in 1957, against excesses being perpetuated on them by upper caste peoples and government under their control. The main demands were to stop dispossession of SC farmers from their allotted agriculture land , provision for reservation in services, scholarships to students pursuing education courses and provisions for free education up to post graduation. On their own strength they won 1957 on their own party “Harijan Mandle” . Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath blew the bugle for the finishing struggle in May 1970 which created a strong wave in J&K forcing the J&K State to issue circular instructions to provide Reservation in services in 1969 and 1970. This struggle continued for 63 years in one form or the other & finally J&K Legislature passed law in 2004 giving legal teeth to the Rules of Reservation in services by issuing Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 Dated19/23 March, 2004. The struggle continues to get promotions as per roster approved by the government through protests, court cases for denied promotions etc. Bhagat ji resigned from the Govt. job and joined social service. He joined Congress party and was elected as Congress Block President and later was made the Secretary. To full fill his dreams of uplifting and betterment of the depressed classes educationally, socially, economically, he came to Jammu from his native place with an explicit motive, and to work to secure justice for Dalit Samaj of J&K in particular. He worked in Bhartiya Depressed Classes league, an all-India Origination founded in 1935 by Babu Jagjivan Ram, union minister and later Deputy Prime Minister. The organization was as unit of INC and had spread its wings all over India for the welfare of the depressed classes’ peoples. Bhagat Amar Nath was made President of this Organization in J&K. Its HQ was established in two Municipal Corporation shops on Jogi gate Road, Shahidi Chowk Jammu. Its General Secretary was Choudhary Guran Ditta Mal an MLA and Vice Chairman of S/C’s Welfare Board. All other Dalit leaders including M.L.A’ s , Ministers of J&K were members. A Weekly Urdu News Paper named “PASMANDGI” was started from Jammu to raise a forcefully voice against denial of the just rights of depressed Classes peoples in J&K State. The write ups in the “Pasmandgi” paper helped in uniting the Dalit masses. An All India one day convention of the Bhartiya Depressed Classes league was held in 1968 in Parade ground Jammu which was presided over by Babu Jagjivan Ram and was attended by over 20,000 peoples. Among others Bhagat Amarnath, Pandit Trilochan Dutt addressed the gathering. Bhagat Amaranth spoke forcefully pleading for granting due rights to the Depressed Classes persons in recruitments and promotions in services, grant of scholarships to the deserving students up to all levels of education including university level, stopping illegal dislocation of small farmers from their rightful possession and many more problems faced by common people. By this time Bhagat Ji had developed close contacts with Jammu’s Harijan leaders and also government officer in government departments. Till 1969 the J&K State SCs, with other deserving castes had no reservation in services for 37years from Poona Pact, and 19 years from adoption of Indian Constitution. However in 1969 under pressure of Dalit leaders and masses issue of circular order vide G.O No 252-GD of 1969 dated 3-2-1969 and Govt. Notification No 37 GR of 1970 dated 28th April 1970 for providing reservation in services for the SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s the state Govt. But despite this Government agencies showed lack lust interests to implement the reservation rules in services in letter and spirit. Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath, then aged 50 years took it very seriously and a comprehensive note containing detailed demands, pointing out lapses and ill-conceived intention of the state Govt. officials and officers with caste rigid politician, was submitted to the State government. When the State government failed to give positive respond, he intensified his nonstop agitation in the entire Jammu province by leading many processions, demonstrations, public meetings for the expeditious redressal of core issue including reservation. An ultimatum with deadline was given to state Govt. to take remedial measures soon otherwise he shall go for fast unto death. When convinced that the state government was not taking his threats seriously, he under took fast unto death. Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath voluntarily offered himself for the supreme sacrifice and resolved to observe silence and subsequently sat on fast unto death on 21-05-1970 in Karan Park in front of civil secretariat gate. A day before taking the extreme step of stating fast unto death by Bhagat Ji, this writer met him in Karan Park and discussed some of his apprehensions that masses were yet not prepared fully for such an extreme step and requested him to work in the field for some more time to prepare the masses for such a step, but Bhagat Ji brushed aside my apprehensions and followed his under taken pledge. Bhagat ji submitted a charter of 17 demands to the government, basis of his resentment to undertake extreme step. He also made it clear to his flowers that in case of his death, there should be no “Violent Protests”. For protests non- violent methods, be adopted. He made it clear that no member of his family shall demand any favour, compensation for his death. His health condition deteriorated so he was shifted to SMGS Hospital Jammu. But despite efforts by prominent physician of that time Dr. Manhas the condition continued to worsen. Bhagat sahib refused to take any medical treatment. Unfortunately committed son of the soil, Bhagat Amaranth achieved martyrdom on the 1st June 1970. His supreme sacrifice for the cause of the Scheduled Castes reservation and other problems forced the government to make consorted efforts to implement rules for reservation in services for the SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s. Martyrdom of Bhagat Amar Nath in 1970 proved final blow to hurdles in providing Reservation in Services in J&K State. Rules (ACT) to give the Reservation on sound legal footing is services for SCs, STc, OBCs was issued vide Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 Dated19/23 March, 2004 for which contributions of Dalit masses and leaders was force to convince the State government to heed to the just demands of the depressed classes people. Our peoples made concerted efforts both in side Assemblies and outside including life sacrifice by Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amarnath Ji. The sacrifices of Amar Shaheed Bhagat Amar Nath Ji shall remain fresh in the minds of coming generation, who shall enjoy the benefits of his Martyrdom. Long Live Memories of Bhagat Amar Nath JI. Every year June 1st.is celebrated as a memory day of Shaheed and tributes are given with tears.