Rai Bahadur Rao Narayan Meghaji Lokhande (1848–1897)

     History of getting Sunday holiday .                    

   Rai Bahadur Rao Narayan Meghaji Lokhande  (1848–1897)       

                          ( A Dalit Hero who struggled hard to get sanctioned Sunday as public Holiday)

Nothing on this earth has ever been obtained without struggle particularly when it is for a larger interests of a community. Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar said “ All things have a bill of costs attached to it, you cannot get it without paying the price”. However very well meaning persons of vision have struggled for matters of common causes. One among such persons who showed  more concern for suffering millions laborers without caring for his personnel comforts was Narayan Meghaji Lokhande.  The Indian employees then had to work  all seven  week days without getting any beak or rest time time. For Christians Sunday is a  day of religious observance and abstinence from work. The Jews observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a prayer and rest day . Christians attend Church services to Pray in Church on every Sunday. So, Sunday is holiday in Christianity terming it as God’s day , the sign of a new creation, beyond the week Jesus. Christ on crucification on a cross.  rested in the grave on the Sabbath and rose the following day, beyond the end of the week. So for Christians the day following the Sabbath became known as “the Lord’s day” which was Sunday.

 Rao Bahadur Narayan Meghaji Lokhande (1848–1897) struggled hard to get one day weekly off with full pay perks to Indian workers  . He was Dalit being born in Fulmali or florist,a Hindu untouchable  caste.  Florists  grow flowers besides performing other agriculture based jobs.   He being contemporary and prominent colleague of   another social and education Revolutionary  Mahatma Jyotirao Phuley (11th April 1827 to 28th Nov.1890) of Poona(now Pune). Both belonged to mali caste now classified as Other Backward Caste. Both worked in unison in Satya Sodak Samaj movement and organized  labour to fight for their rights.

Meghaji Lokhande was convinced that labour needs weekly at least a day’s rest .This way they can look after their  family affairs for which they  toil hard.So he approached the British government of India in 1881 with a written request  to give weekly  a day’s off  from work to workers. But the government did not agree with his suggestion and the Indian workers continued  to work seven days a week without any break. However in UK Sunday officially had became an off day since 1843.  When the British Indian Government refused to accede to his  suggestions for Sunday as holiday for Indian workers too, he started a campaign for it. His struggle gained strength with every passing day. This campaign continued long, for eight years. When Narayan Megaji Lokhanday’s struggle for the cause of toiling Indian workers gained strong momentum the British Government declared Sunday as holiday in 1889. The success of the movement launched and guided by Shri Rao Narayana M. Lokhanday was not only a big relief to the labourers but an encouragement for Indian to launch more such movements for mass benefits. Ever since protests, agitations, non cooperative movements became an tool in Indian public hands to get their human rights enforced from the British rulers.           

 Meghaji Lokhande  was a pioneer of the labour movement in India and Mahatama Phuley utilizing his wife’s services opened 18 schools in and around Poona, many for girls. Education to girls and untouchables was  banned in Hindu shastras, particularly Manusmirity.  To organize mill workers Meghaji Lokhande  founded the Bombay Mill Hands Association  

( BMHA).He was its first President too. Mahatama Jyotirao Phuley also addressed the meetings of the textile workers in Bombay. It is significant that before Lokhande , Jyotirao and his  another colleagues Bhalekar had  tried to organize the peasants and the workers, hardly anybody else or any organization had made any such attempt to redress worker’s  grievances.

 Lokhandaye  is remembered not only for ameliorating the working conditions of textile mill-hands in the 19th century but also for his courageous initiatives on caste and communal issues. He was founding father of  “Mumbai Kamgar Sangh”. He was appointed associate member of the Bombay Factory Commission in 1890. Meghaji Lokhande is acclaimed as the Father of the Trade Union Movement in India so  was awarded title of “ Rai Bahadur”  by the British Government for his exemplary work of labour welfare.

Some of the rights mill workers got because of  Rai Bahadur Rao Narayan Meghaji Lokhande’s  labourious efforts  were:

 Mill workers got a weekly holiday on Sunday.

In the afternoon, workers should be entitled to half-hour recess.

The mill should have fixed working hours  and should start working from 6:30 in the morning and close by sunset.

He demanded that the salaries of the workers should be given by the 15th of every month.

 The Deenbandhu  a Marathi-language newspaper  was founded by Jyotirao Phule and K. R. Bhalekar in 1877. It was the first newspaper in India published from Bombay ( Now Mumbai) to cater explicitly for the labouring people.  It served as an outlet for Phule's Satyashodhak Samaj too. Nara yan Meghaji Lokhande, took over the management of Deenbandhu published from Bombay. He had already been writing for it from 1880 and was selling 1650 copies per week in 1884, thus making it the second-highest circulation Marathi or Anglo-Marathi newspaper in Bombay Presidency, after Kesari another Marathi paper founded in 1881 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

While Lokhande published the Deenbandhu from Bombay, Vithhal Marutrao Nawle, an admirer of Phule, bought the rights to publish an edition in Pune. He imported a printing press from Ohio that continued to produce the newspaper until it ceased publication in the 1970s. (Wikipedia)

 The Government of India issued a postage stamp with his photograph in 2005. He was the force behind forcing the British Crown to order weekly paid  Public Holiday on  Sunday for workers in India

Let us all salute the sweet memory of the Dalit Hero Rai Bahadur Rao Narayan Meghaji Lokhande becaue of whom Indian Labourers and workers including employees are enjoying weekly Sunday as paid Holiday.

Er.H.R.Phonsa Jammu

Contact:-hrphonsa@gmail.com             Mobile:-+919419134060

(Ref:-By Coursty of Wikipedia

 Economic and Political Weekly. 32 (7): 327–329. JSTOR 4405089 from)

Personalities who influenced Dr.B.R. Ambedkar the most

Personalities who influenced Dr.B.R. Ambedkar the most

( Paying Revered Tributes on 128^thBirthday of Dr.Ambedkar falling on 14^th April,2019 )

                                                        By:-Er.H.R.Phonsa

The life storey of Bharat Ratana Baba Saheb  Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar   is a saga of great struggles and achievements. Dr Ambedkar used to compare himself with Moses, who ( Moses) wanted to relieve the Israeli’s from forced labour and their unending servitude so led his peoples to Palestine. Dr Ambedkar led his peoples to break the yoke of religious, political social and economic barriers imposed by Hindu un-natural laws framed against his peoples called Shudhars,  Ati Shudras untouchables, Namashudras etc. Dr Ambedkar catalogued, expanded and interpreted the code of laws of his country. He was opposed to Mahatma Gandhi in many ways, still keeping in view the   Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions for the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi described him as a man who has carved out  in society a unique position for himself and he is not a man to allow himself  to be forgotten. Perhaps he was born to cut the age old caste shackles of his peoples, which had reduced their life to even below of those of animals.

 Life Sketch :-

Bharat  Ratana Baba Saheb  Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar  was born on 14 th April 1891 at Mhow to  revered  Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal and Mata Bhimabai in  Mahar Community. It is said that Mahars were the rulers of Marashtra (Mahar + Rashtra ) but because of  Hindu agony  and caste based  values, they were reduced to the level of Untouchables, Sudras, Ati sudra, whose only shadow was considered enough to pollute an upper caste Hindu. He personally faced worst type of caste hate Ambedkar worked over 18 hours a day and at times sky was his roof and the earth his floor,. Bhimrao was married to Ramabai at the tender age of 17 years when his spouse was only of 9 years.  Mata Ramabai stood like a rock by her Sahib  till her death on May 27,  1935. Due to handwork of duo father and son  Bhimrao earned world’s Highest academic  Degrees of D.sc ( London ); PhD and LL.D  (Columbia ); M.A ; D. Lit ( Osmania )  Bar –at- Law (London ) . Dr Ambedkar knew ten languages Marathi (mother tongue), Hindi, English, Gujarati, Pali, Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian, French and German. He could speak fluently seven languages. According to his autobiography ‘Waiting for a Visa'. Ambedkar wrote  that he wrote Pali  to English Dictionary( Quora).  Dr Ambedkar also served  on highly prestigious positions  as Labour member of Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942-46 ) ; First Law Minister Of Independent India and earned the distinction of selection as Chairman Of the Constitution Drafting  Committee to draft Constitution for free India and is so called “ father Of Indian constitution.” Some called him Mother of Indian Constitution as well. He proved an emancipator for Dalits, a torch bearer for the liberation of slaves’ world over and an insurmountable rock for his opponents. He contributed for the freedom of India, but more for the Dalits, who were slaves to the slaves of British India.  He was highly praised by those who understood his odious cause for the liberation of his Dalit community persons, but also abused as traitor by those who never appreciated his mission of life and wanted to maintain status-quo in social, political, educational, economic and religious spheres even after independence. He was for change and offer said” Consistency is a virtue of an ass”

       It is difficult to count the persons who influenced the life of a life long student. Baba Sahib owned one of world’s biggest personnel libraries having nearly 50,000 books. As Baba Sahib was an author of large number of Books, essays and had  attended many world class Universities, researched in many museums, Libraries, remained in association of  many learned teachers ,politicians, religious leaders so it is difficult to count or have details of all those personalities who influenced the his life. A visit to him was a visit to to a walking museum so said one of his biographer.  It was therefore difficult to know about all those  great personalities who influenced his life .An attempt here has been made to find out some personalities who  directly or indirectly  who influenced shaping of life of  Bharat Ratna Baba Sahib Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s life and personality.

         Some of the Personalities who influenced Dr. Ambedkar’s life the most:-

A)      Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal (1849-1916AD): - Honesty, Hard working, dedication, urge to get higher education ,  honesty and boldness in his conduct and to work for elevation of his fellow untouchables was learned by Ambedkar from his father subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal.

B)       Guru Ravidas( 1398-1540 AD):- Dr. Ambedkar held in high esteems Shri Guru Ravidas Ji. Perhaps the rationale of equality, brotherhood, Republic democracy, socialist, individual dignity is borrowed from the philosophy of Shri Guru Ravidas.

C)          Kabir (1440-1518 AD) :- Dr. Ambedkar’s family belonged to the devotional path shown by  Sadguru Kabir ji a great  Dalit Saint  Devotional songs of Kabir Ji were daily sung with love by the family, which effected the tender mind set of child Bhimrao. Kabir Ji’s verses including “Jat Pat Pushey Na koye, Har Ko Bhaje so Har Ka hoi” i.e Caste does not decide your fate, but your devotion to Lord is supreme. Kabir Ji was taken as Ambedkar’s Second Guru, first being Budha.

D)      Budha( 563-480  BCA):- The Budha philosophy influnced Ambedkar the most. He like Budha revolted against Vedas, Upnishadas, un-natural Brahminical division of the humans.  He studied Bhudha deepely, so like Budha he always adopted just ways of his conduct negating Brahminical  ways of salvation as religious rites, rituals, religious ceremonies,and sacrifices . He was firm believer like Budha that every individual  was the maker or spoiler of one’s destiny. Budha never proclaimed himself as God, Avtar or His incarnation, so influenced the inner mind of Dr. Ambedkar. When he got convinced that Hinduism was immune to reform. He brought back Buddha to India by embracing Buddhism on 14 ^th   October 1956 along with over three Lacs of men and women. Dr. Ambedkar lived for 22 days after conversion to Buddhism and during this small period over Five Lacs Dalits got converted to Buddhism. Dr. Ambedkar in his last days wrote a Master Book of 599 pages on Buddhism “Buddha and His Dhamma”

E)          Jyotiba Phule(1827-1890 AD):- Jyotiba Phule was the greatest Shudra of modern India, who made Hindu Untouchables conscious of their slavery to the Upper  Caste Hindus. He gave the gospel that in India Social democracy was more vital than independence from foreign rule. Phule started 18 school in Poona for girls against stanch opposition from the caste Hindus as education for women was sin in  Hindu Manu Laws.  He is considered as political Guru Of Dr. Ambedkar and both were convinced that all men are equal  by birth so need to be provided equal opportunities for progress in all spheres. Both fought through out their lives to break social and economical barriers erected to segregate men on their castes at birth.

F)       Booker T. Washington( 1856-1915): - During Dr. Ambedkar’s American stay, he was influenced by the Constitution of  U.S.A. and its fourteenth Amendment  declaring freedom to Negroes. He was also influenced most by the life of Booker T. Washington a great revolutionary, educator reformer Negro leader, who founder and remained  President of Tuskegee Institute, which disseminated among Negroes the gospel of education of the head, heart and hand and thus broke the  barriers of bondage through which Negroes were crushed for ages physically, educationally, mentally , socially and spiritually. Booker T. Washington died in 1915 when Dr. Ambedkar was in America and passed his M.A. degree. Dr Ambedkar learnt from the life story of Booker T. Washington the spirit of fight for the cause of freedom of his brethren untouchables, who were treated even worse than Negroes, in Indian society.

G)      John Dewey( 1859-1952): - John Dewey was his mentor at Columbia University, whose philosophy helped shape Dr. Ambedkar towards a critical analysis of the hard problems facing the society. He advocated dynamic and pragmatic approach to drive the humanity out of the troubles it was confronted with. Both criticized the old philosophers, who advocated idealism and other obsolete things. John Dewey methods of inquiry had influenced Ambedkar to deal with hard and painful situations. Both were practical political scientists, so paid pointed attention to practical rather than mere academic politics. Ambedkar learnt from Dewey’s emphasis on education as means to change the world and not only to understand it. Both believed that Education should be capable of creating human values having universal application. Both established them selves on everyday life of an average man in their respective country. Dr. Ambedkar  association with John Dewey provided the basis for a systematic  study and analysis of problems relating to politics, economics, society religion and history . Ambedkar concluded that a society is equally if not more, aggressive and tyrannical than the Government is based on deep study of these subjects.

H)         J.S. Mill ( 1806-1873): - Dr. Ambedkar was greatly influenced from the writing of Mill, a British philosopher, political economist, and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of classical liberalism, he contributed widely to social theory, political theory, and political economy.  He had advocated freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of action. Mill’s philosophy molded the political philosophy of Ambedkar.

I)           Justice Ranade ( 1842-1901): - Life and work storey of Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, father of Indian Socio- political revolution casted a great influence on Dr Ambedkar. Dr Ambedkar was called upon to deliver 101 birth anniversary address of Justice Ranade which fell on 18^th January1940. Dr Ambedkar learnt about Ranade, when he retrieved from the old papers of his father, a petition drafted by Justice Ranade against banning recruitment of Mahars into Indian Army in 1892. Philosophy of Justice Ranade was summed up Dr. Ambedkar himself as

A) We should not hold ideals purely imaginary.

B) In politics sentiments and temperaments of the people are more important than intellect and theory.

 C) In political negotiations the rule should be what is possible, that does not mean that we should be content with what is offered.

 Why Ambedkar agreed with the terms of Poona Pact of 1932 with Mahatma Gandhi and other Caste Hindus by sacrificing the benefits of the Communal Award can be accessed from his above said political philosophy.

I)     Karl  Marx (1818-1883AD):-  Dr. Ambedkar was also immensely  influenced by Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle as he was aware of the    merciless exploitation of the poor all over the world. But in India poor were exploited both by rich and Higher Caste Hindus alike. While explaining difference between Class and Caste Dr Ambedkar observed    “Downtrodden peoples of India are first to be fired and last to be hired”. Dr Ambedkar was of the firm view of uniting of the exploited peoples and make them realize being slaves, so they shall revolt against it. But Dr Ambedkar differed with Marx on the point that suffering was not only from the economic factors but from social factors as well. Ambedkar had experienced religious tyranny more severe and organized than state tyranny and poverty ridden upper caste Hindus were equally or even more cruel to wards poor untouchables

Crusader of Dalit Education:-Ambedkar was convinced that education besides being means of live hood was a powerful weapon to liberate the Dalits from ignorance and to strengthen their fight against injustice and humiliation.   He considered education as prequalification for any organization and movement of Dalits. So he gave his Golden  slogan to Dalits “Educate , Agitate and unite”  To prepare his peoples to safe guard their Human Rights through spread of  his message more effectively he  started Journals namely  Mook Nayak( Leader of the Dumb), Bahiskrit Bharat( Excluded India), Samta ( Equality) Janta (Peoples) . He picked up lessons from the strong note  of Bernard Shaw ,” Honest education is dangerous to tyranny and privilege; the system like Capitalist system kept in vogue the popular ignorance, Churches which depend upon it for priestly authority, privileged classes and ambiguous conquerors and dictators, who have to instill royalty and  romantic hero worship, all use ignorance and education as underpinning for general faith in themselves as rulers” So  to negate the ill effects of illiteracy of his peoples and to equip them with quality  education he opened Mallind Mahavidhalaya Aurangabad( Maharasthra,  );Sidharath College Of Commerce And Economics Bombay; and Siddhartha Law College Bombay. Ambedkar built his house “Raj Girah” in Bombay to house a library. 

 Gadge Ji Maharaj (1876-1956) :- Gadge Baba’s  the father of  Indian cleanliness Drive(Swachata Abhiyan) had a great influence on the life of Dr. Ambedkar. Gadge Ji Maharaj advised Dr. Ambedkar to leave Hindu religion as it was immune to reform, but at the same time not to join Christianity or Islam. Gadge Baba  dedicated Sant Chokhamela Dharmashala, Pandharpur to Dr Ambedkar for his love for Dr Ambedkar. This Dharmshalla ( Night Sheltter) was constructed Baba Gadge Ji from the  money he eaned from his work of cleaning the villages where ever he  went to conduct Satsangs.

Words 2204

 The Author  :-Er.H.R.Phonsa can be contacted on hrphonsa@gmail.com

                                Mobile:-+919419134060

  

Indian Tolerance at its Nadir

                            Indian  Tolerance at its Nadir

                                                        By:- Er. H. R. Phonsa     Dt:-4-3-2019

 Nature created this world with interdependence of all creatures, plants, and utilities. Many plant seed do not spout if they are not circulated through digestive system of birds where as trees provide food and shelters to birds. Tolerance is key to maintain this divine association.  Long back in the process of human evolution, an idea of mutual understanding and necessity of inter dependence must have occurred in the minds of  even primitive people.  It may have   developed in their bonds to live in small groups. On finding this a useful and practical way to live  in harmony living  groups hamlets must have developed giving way to associated living. These community bonds formed societies giving rise to ancient civilisations.  Much is yet shrouded in mysteries about human journey from an ape to the present day man of global village. The world’s known oldest civilisations developed on the theme of brother hood and collective moving ,living and working .How the human mentality and psychology grew to produce  this big change is a matter of interest and subject  of further research to peep deep into it formation of civilisation as early as 3300 BCE. Since human is the only creature in this universe which fully developed brain having analytical  sense of  coordinating ideas  analysing materialising these into productive  action .   The Human tolerance to the other’s view point and life styles must have worked in cementing humanity bonds among our great grand fathers. Tolerance not only between human but also for all living beings and non living things including services like water, atmosphere, earth etc. Man  is assigned the roll of big brother. With the passage of time greed developed in the thinking of big brother and he at times becomes big destroyer. This indifferent attitude of man towards man and all other things   is pushing humanity towards extinction if not arrested in time.

 We Indian claim to be one of the oldest 10  world  civilisation and possessing the oldest religious scriptures. This all must have been possible through the dedicated and unified working of our elders. Our older generations must have worked in unison having accommodating minds for the thoughts and actions of follow actors. What the man possesses today has been gained through utmost tolerance for the fellow men and women. Sadly with the development of idea of  self in the societies, human intellect developed giving rise to greed and selfishness. The sense of self and fear of shortage of resources plays a dominating roll. Human greed and selfishness increased instinct of animality in human. It is wisely said “Nature has enough to meet our needs but not our greed’s”.  From here the intolerance to other’s view point developed.  Development of Different Religions and specific religion scriptures’ further divided humans there by complicating matter further. Now there are some 4,300 religions of the world's.Side stepping the issue of what constitutes a religious adherent divides religions into Churches, Denominations, Congregation, Religion bodies, Faith group, Tribes, Cultures, and movements(Paohow Popchavei  PhD, Quora).

According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population of India practices Hinduism ( SCs(22.2% )STs9%),OBC 42.8% included) and 14.2% adheres to Islam, while the remaining 7.37% adheres to other religions (Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism,Parsis and Iranis , Baha'i and some other ethnically-bound faiths .Many other world religions also have a relationship with Indian spirituality. Hindus are again subdivided into innumerable sub castes as with OBC’S (3743), SC’s (2000) and ST’s (1000) Sub Castes or 6743  castes.   Ramani’s Blog lists 308 castes in Islam which has population of 177 Million in India alone (Indian censes 2011). All these religious faiths revolve around numerous ways to reach out to God through various God realization routes. These religious beliefs preach different ways of worship to God Almighty and is a great hurdle in human unity.  If anybody argues or disbelieves a particular belief he or she is declared as atheist (Nastic).  Some religious  preachers and god men of these religious faiths are on record to  spread hatred towards men of other faiths so create intolerance. There goes a saying that the religions hatred resulted in deaths of more men than total killing in all wars in this world. If we preach as one Creator of this universe, then all His creations are blood relations. If God is One, goal to reach Him should also be one, routes may be different. Then where is the possibility of believers of one faith being dearer to God than persons believing in another faith.  In general more the faiths and religious beliefs more are hate and intolerance generating centres.

 Any particular typed species   created by nature has similarities or close resemblances subject to weather Vagaries.  So is human race. Place of birth, economic and social status make but little difference except skin colour.

 There is no difference but variety in creation of nature. Against this every religion has its own laws which has few or no resemblances with any other religion.  It the creation of greed of man which created differences generating hate misconceptions and hostility. This causes differences so generate intolerance.    True religious ignorance plays a great part. Denesh Binjola has rightly said “In India, greedy people offer partnership to God for better profits. Is it not the height of ignorance?”          ( Quora).  Human by nature are selfish with varying intensity from person to person. More instincts of animalism (preoccupation with body and satisfying its needs, lacking spirituality) in a person more selfish and intolerant the person shall be.

Indian civilisation is one of the oldest. The Hindus claim to possess the oldest religious books in the form of four  Vedas( 1900 to 1100BCE) meaning “knowledge”. It also has More than 200  Upnishadas-18 Smirities, 18 Maha Puranas (Great Puranas) and 18 Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas). Despite all this Hindus hate major chunk of their religious brethren  called Untouchables( OBC’S) and out caste( SC’S and ST’s) so generate ill will and intolerance. Excesses on these unfortunate are committed all over India in the name of religion, Cow protection, to maintain purity of worshiping place, but no sane Hindu comes to their rescue and to wipe off their agony tears. India scared Book the Indian Constitution granting dignity with equality in status and opportunity to Dalits is burnt, status of Dalit icons are broken, defaced ,their bridegrooms are insulted, rape on their fair sex including minors are being  carried in public view  many a times in the presence of govt. agencies is causing a great deal of uprising in over74% of the Indian Dalit population. With the passage of time and spread of education among dalit- mulnivasies the sense of self respect is spouting in them, so the atrocities committed on them is being resisted and aired by them.  This results into more organised atrocities and more intolerance on both sides. The overall control over Indian political   system, bureaucracy, judiciary and media  by a few upper caste Hindus generate and support  intolerance between different sections of the society which need to be arrested with judicious hands.

Different  religious faith revelries in India are on the rise .  Many religious and political thoughts are playing a great roll to achieve  their selfish goals.  To counter  this, human race will have to act  untidily. Man will have to control the worst human enemies like ego, lust, sexual instincts, attachment and greed. We have to develop more of   the humility , chastity,  Character , sacrifice and goodwill. The men in authority whether in religion, government, politics media must think of uniting and  means to persevere  the human race for its safe future.

Woman Member of Dr. Ambedka’s Karvan SMT. J. ESWARI BAI, (1920-1991)

 Woman Member of Dr. Ambedka’s Karvan

                    SMT.   J. ESWARI BAI, (1920-1991)

            ( Saluting golden hearted Lady on her 28^th Death anniversary on 24^th Feb,2019)

Smt J. Eswari Bai a Mala Caste lady was born on 1st December, 1920 in Hyderabad then ruled by Nizam of Hyderabad. The Mala caste (Boatman, fishermen) is now a scheduled caste.She was a champion of cause of SCs/STs, the weak, the poor and women. Her father Shri Balleppu Balaram was member of Adi-Hindu (Aboriginal) Jyotonaati Sabha which was committed to active social work. Madam Eswari Bai was hard working with a

sharp mind and she passed her B.A. She was greatly disturbed with the miserable poor conditions of her Depressed Classes peoples. Hyderabad was a Muslim ruled Hindu majority state and caste based discrimination was rampant. The Depressed Classes people were the worst sufferers. They firstly suffered discriminations for being classified as Hindu and secondly from Caste Hindus hands as they being Untouchable. Their fate carried only discrimination at the hands of both Hindus and Muslims. Thereafter Madam Eswari Bai decided to devote herself to social service for Dalits.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar converted the Indian Labour Party (ILP) into a full flagged political party “All India Scheduled Castes Federation" on1 8-20 July, 1942atNagpur. She joined the All India Scheduled Castes Federation from the very beginning. She worked with zeal in the SCF party. Her keen association with SFC and working for achieving its ideals reflects from the fact that she contested thrice as the SC candidate. Madam J. Eswari Bai contested in 1952, 1957 and 1962 respectively from Huzurabad (R), Jangaon (R) and from Yellareddy (R) constituencies for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. She won from Yellareddy (R) constituency for assembly seat in 1967 and got elected. Again, she got elected in 1972 from the same constituency as RPI party candidate.

After the formation of the Republican Party of India, shejoined it. Later she was associated with the breakaway wing of RPI headed by Shri D.A. Katti. After the death of Shri D.A. Katti, then President of RPI in 1986, Smt. J. Eswari Bai was unanimously elected President of this break away group of RPI.

Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes Welfare Association said in a release dated May 15, 2008 that Eswari Bai was elected as a councilor of the Secunderabad Municipal Corporation in 1950. Eswari Bai started a fair price medical dispensary in Chilkalguda to help poor patients. She also got established a vocational 'Work

Centre for Women' in 1950 and trained number of women in tailoring, spinning, knitting and other crafts and later the trainees on their own started self-employment units. She also constructed a school at Chinta Bai, Chilkalguda, with her own funds and later donated it to the government. She served as secretary of Indian Conference of Social Welfare (ICSW) and a member of the Indian Red Cross Society. She served as a chairperson of the Women and Child Welfare department. As legislator she was instrumental in bringing legislation for free education of girl students up to higher education. Madam Eswari Bai was force behind in getting land distributed to the landless poor formers as MLA. She worked hard to protect the constitutional rights of Dalits. She used to fight against all social evils, atrocities and injustices against Dalits and women in the state. Her daughter Mrs. Dr. J Geeta Reddy (1947 born) is doctor by profession and is married to Dr. Ramachandra Reddy who is from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. Mrs. Dr. J Geeta Reddy is in the Andhra Cabinet as Cabinet Minister since 1989.    Smt J. Eswari Bai tried her luck again when she contested in 1978 (from Jukkal), in 1983 (from Andole) and in 1985 (from Andole) but failed to make it to the Assembly. She again unsuccessfully contested from Amalapuram constituency for the Lok Saba in 1977. But during all these ups and downs, she continued to dedicate herself for the Depressed Classes cause and stuck to Ambedkarite movement particularly for Dalit women empowerment. She was non-compromising Dalit leader on her committed principles. She had a strong team of dedicated comrades including Shri P.V. Manohar from Hyderabad and Shri B.V.Ramanaiah from Amalapuram. She lived and died with the flag of Ambedkarite movement. She passed away on 24^th, February 1991 at the age of 71. J Eswari Bai's statute stands errected at St John's circle in Secunderabad to keep her memories fresh in the minds of Andhra people for whom she lived, worked and died.

Source material:- Dr.Ambedkar and His Associates By Er.H.R.Phonsa

Shri Sant Ram B.A. (14th Feb, 2015 to 5th June,1988 ) A Dalit Hero.

Shri Sant Ram B.A. (14^th Feb, 2015 to 5^th June,1988  ) A Dalit Hero.                      

      Shri Sant Ram B.A. a Dalit potter who makes earthen wares (Khumhar,Kumbhkar) by caste. His caste was neither very low as untouchables nor high like Brahmins but falls in fourth category of Hindu caste classification a Shudra,which is touchable as far his work but untouchable for social status. He was born on 14^th Feburary 1887 at Puranni Bassi Hoshiarpur( Punjab). His father Shri Ramdas Gohil  was a businessman and perhaps one of the first Indian to go to trade between Ladakh to Yarkhand Turkestan in the Tarim Basin in Turkestan of the old ( Xinjiang Province of China at present) ,so he was quite rich. Sant Ram’s mother’s name was Malini and she was second wife of his father. His father had re-married after the death of his first wife . Shri Ramdas Gohil had seven sons and a daughter. Shri Ramdas had given good education to his children a rare thing for Dalits of those times. Shri Sant Ram got education in his village school, Jalander and at Lahore( now in Pakistan). He faced caste hate in a big way in his school and in college hostel. He was asked by high caste students not to dine with them while sitting on the same mat in the hostel. Sant Ram Ji was married to Gangadevi( Gango) in 1899 when he was of 12 years age They had One son named Vedbarat three daughters two of whom died in fancy. Their surviving daughter was named Gargi. Sant Ram passed B.A in 1909 from Lahore University. He stood first in his class in Persian and was awarded. He served as teacher for some time and then worked with a forest contractor at kinnaur ( HP). He was a devoted Arya Samaji sect of Soami Dayanand Saraswati. He was perhaps first Dalit journalist and  started “Usha” monthly magazine in 1914 from Lahore. Due to paucity of funds and start of first word war this magazine was stoped in April,1915. He also was publisher of Arya Samaj  Urdu monthly magazine “ Arya Musaffir”.  Between 1912 to 1963 he wrote nearly 77  books, booklets assay’s  on different subjects and was also awarded several times. He knew English Punjabi, Hindi, Marathi, Guajarati and Bengali   languages. When he wanted to start social  work for uplifting Dalits and conversion back to Hinduism to those Dalits who had converted earlier to Islam and Christianity( Shudikarn) he did not get the required support from the  Hindu Arya Samaji leaders    who wanted external dressing only  of caste system and did not want to uproot or annihilate it. Sant Ram distanced from it devoting himself for Dalit upliftment social work. To abolish caste system he worked to establish in 1922 his own organization “Pat-Todak Mandal” with some other likeminded Arya Samaji persons. It has enrollment of about 500 persons. One of the plank of his organization was to promote inter caste marriages and to get abolished caste system from within the Depressed classes also. Since Arya Samajis did not co-operate with Jat-Pat Todakl Mandal ideals too, so Sh. Sant Ram made it an independent organization to continue his efforts for achieving his set goals.

 Shri Sant Ram ji writes in his biography “ Mere Jivan Ke Anubhav” that  Jat Pat Torak Mandal deputation headed by him met Mahatma Gandhi at Lahore in 1933- 34. While talking Mahatam Gandhi supported Jat Pat ( Caste system) .He said in Jat Pat one has ease to find employment in his ancestral profession which was difficult without it. Sri Sant Ram questened why Mahatama Ji was not opposing caste system which has ruined the untouchables. Mahatam Ji in turn asked  you tell me why he ( Mahatma) was not opposing caste system directly while opposing the British regime. On this Sant Ram replied that   now not only upper caste Hindu businessmen  and  religious Mathaderaj (headmen) were supporting Mahatma’s movement by donating  Lakhs  but even Muslim and Christens are supporting you in a big way. In case Mahatma opposes caste system not a single Marvari Seth( Bussiness magnet)  will support him with a Futi Kodi ( counterfeit penny coin). During this conversation Seth Jamna Lal Bazaj and Kasturba Gandhi were also present.Countering Mahatma’s support to caste system for getting ensured parental job access , Sant Ram ji asked Mahatma why he was not engaged in selling grocery his ancestral business and instead had adopted a Brahmin’s profession of preaching. On this Mahatma .

Shri Sant Ram wrote on 28^th February  1941 a letter to Mohammad Ali Jinnah ( Later Quaid-i-Azam of Father on Nation) Pakistan)  asking him that in England there are many Christen convert Muslims like Lord Hundle. But they never claim that their economic, social and political interests including their history, language or their religious icons are different than Christians. But when a Hindu gets converted as Muslim in India next day all his economic, social and political interests including his history, language or religious icons change overnight. He says next day that his icons are Mahmood and Abul Quasim not Rama and Krishna. Why so?

Mohammad Ali Jinnah replied this in a public meeting in presence of over 20,000 audiences on 2 March,1941.When a person converts from Christianity to Islam he is nor boycotted religiously, socially, economically, even inter caste marriages continue. His inter dinning is not boycotted. But In India when  a Hindu gets converted as Muslim the next day Hindus boycott him religiously, socially, economically. His inter dinning or inter marriages are stopped completely. So the wins of Hindus are our (Muslims) defeats. Our social boycott is the reason of all out conflict of our interests with Hindus.

 Shri Sant Ram writes in biography that he was convince by the thoughts of Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar that Caste cannot uprooted till the Hindu religious motivations are not destroyed completely.  So Shri Sant Ram invited Dr. Ambedkar through his letter dated December 12,1935, to preside over  1936 annual convention  of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal to be held at Lahore and also deliver his presidential address. Dr. Ambedkar wrote the Presidential address, but the Mandal  committee wanted some changes in it, to which Dr. Ambedkar did not agree. The convention was cancelled sin die and the presidential address was published by Baba sahib as “Annihilation of Caste” in 1936 itself and this book is considered as one of the best books written by the author. It has gone into so many reprints since then. Sant Ram himself translated it into Hindi and published in the Kranti  an Urdu monthly magazine. Had Sant Ram sided with caste Hindus and Congress party  he would have got benefitted many a ways,but he preferred to side with the just  interests of Dalits  and live his life in his way. Sant Ram authored many books as well. He breathed his last on 5^th June 1988. He shall be long remembered for his fight for the cause of Dalits.