 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 15: The Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Bahu Fort, Jammu, celebrated the birth anniversary of Bahujan Nayak Manyavar Kanshi Ram Sahib with great respect and enthusiasm at the premises of Gurudwara Shri Guru Ravi Dass Ji Maharaj, Bahu Fort. A large number of social activists, intellectuals, and members of the community gathered to pay tribute to the renowned social reformer and leader who dedicated his life to the upliftment of marginalized sections of society.
Speakers on the occasion highlighted the life, struggle, and contribution of Manyavar Kanshi Ram, who was born on March 15, 1934, in Pirthipur Bunga village near Khawaspur in Ropar district of Punjab. They recalled that he completed his primary education from Malikpur, passed the 8th class from Islamic Madarsa Ropar in 1948, completed his matriculation from DAV School Ropar in 1950, and later obtained a B.Sc. degree from Punjab University in 1956.
Speaking on the occasion, Sham Lal Basson, General Secretary of Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha Bahu Fort, said that Kanshi Ram had qualified for the Survey of India examination but chose not to join the training in Dehradun. Later, he was selected as a Junior Scientist at the Central Institute of Military Explosives in Poona (now Pune).
Basson narrated a significant incident that transformed Kanshi Ram's life. The cancellation of two important holidays-Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti and Buddha Jayanti-by the administration led to protests by Dina Bana Ji of the Valmiki community, who was subsequently suspended. Kanshi Ram took the matter to court, after which Dina Bana was reinstated and the holidays were restored. This event deeply influenced Kanshi Ram, who later resigned from his government service in 1964 to dedicate his life to the social and political awakening of the Bahujan community.
Basson further revealed that Kanshi Ram wrote a 24-page letter to his family, pledging that he would not purchase a house, marry, attend family functions, take up a job, or open a bank account. He remained fully committed to the cause of social justice throughout his life. Dr. Rajinder Sambyal, President of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Welfare Association Greater Kailash, Jammu, said that Kanshi Ram founded the All India Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMSEF) on December 6, 1978, which later became a strong platform for social mobilization. He also mentioned the formation of Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS-4) on December 6, 1981, which organized massive cycle rallies across the country. He also highlighted that Behen Mayawati, the political successor of Kanshi Ram, went on to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times during 1995, 1997, 2002-03, and 2007-2012, carrying forward the vision of Bahujan empowerment. |
