D R Bhagat
The Harijan Mandal of Jammu And Kashmir, which had its headquarters at R.S.Pura was struggling for the human rights of dalits which were otherwise denied to them by the so called upper caste people of Hindu society. Some of the prominent members of this organisation were Bhagat Chhajju Ram, Mahasha Nahar Singh, Mahasha Shanker Das and Daulat Ram advocate. By dint of its sincere and hard struggle, they were able to get some of the demands conceded like Abolition of the law of forced labour, getting the ownership rights of government land allotted to them and the provision of scholarship and free uniform to children of their community admitted in the schools. After India became republic on 26th January 1950, the reservation in Government service for scheduled castes incorporated by Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in the constitution of India came into force in India along with other Indian states barring the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The constituent assembly was formed in J&K in 1950-51 to draft the constitution of the state. By this time, the Harijan Mandal had been merged with National Conference and Shekh Abdullah had assured that the provision for reservation for SC/ST would be kept in the constitution. However, when the constitution of J&K came into force no reservation for these communities was available there. There was a great resentment among the dalits who decided to fight tooth and nail to achieve their right of reservation. Many leaders of the community united to start the agitation. Among these leaders, the contribution of Bhagat Amar Nath is the greatest.
Bhagat Amar Nath was born on 27 September 1918 in a village Champa near Batote as a son of shri Moti Ram and Smt. Janki Devi. In the early days of his life, he was deeply concerned towards worst plight of the downtrodden. He decided to work for improvement of their condition. After completing his education, he took interest in social work and started working for the needy and downtrodden people of his area. He then shifted to Jammu and became a member of the Depressed Classes League started by Babu Jagjiwan Ram in the centre. He met many prominent leaders of dalit community who were already woking hard for the problems faced by the community like Babu Parmanand, Bhagat Chhajju Ram, Mahasha Nahar Singh and Babu Milkhi Ram. He organised many processions and public meetings in which the problems of scheduled castes were highlighted alongwith the core issue of reservation. He also started a paper’ Pashmandgi’ in 1968 through which he mobilised his people by his inspiring articles and highlighted their issues to the government. Another paper ‘Mazloomon Ki Awaz ‘ started by Pishori Lal also found place for his articles which showcased his pro downtrodden thoughts. He also worked for the settlement of the poor people especially in the Reshamghar calony in Jammu.
The struggle started for reservation was intensified in 1970. There were large scale meetings and processions in entire Jammu province including some villages also. However, the hostile government was not ready to pay any heed. Hence, an ultimatum was issued to the government to concede to the core demand of reservation and if the same is not conceded the other drastic steps shall be taken by the community leaders. But the Government did not respond positively. It was decided by Bhagat Amar Nath and others to sit on hunger strike in front of secretariat at Jammu. The date fixed for the purpose was May 21, 1970. In addition to Bhagat Amar Nath the other leaders and members of scheduled caste community who participated in the hunger strike were Pishori Lal, Chaino Ram, Munshi Ram, Simer Das, Mijra Singh, Sant Ram, Sheru Ram and Punnu Ram. Out of these Sh. Chaino Ram and Sh. Simer Das are still alive and they are the witness to the entire agitation. After some time when there was again no response from government side, it was decided to convert the hunger strike into fast-unto death. Bhagat Amar Nath offered himself for the sacrifice. Some efforts were made to persuade him to break his fast but he remained adament on his demand and took nothing to eat or drink. His position deteriorated further and Dr. Mahas, a prominent doctor was sent to examine him. He refused to take any treatment and his health continued further deterioration and at last he died on June 1, 1970. Sensing more trouble, his body was hurriedly cremated by the government by calling his family members alongwith his wife Shanti Devi. Thus Bhagat Amar Nath became a martyr for the cause of downtrodden sections of the society.
After some deliberations the reservation was announced by the government in favour of scheduled castes in legislature and government services. To give it a legal form SRO 272 of 1972 was issued by the government and the reservation implemented in 1973. Hence with the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Amar Nath, the chapter of reservation for scheduled castes was written in the history of Jammu And Kashmir. The goal of reservation for scheduled castes of India which was achieved by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was achieved by Bhagat Amar Nath for the state of J&K by taking inspirations from the father of the Indian constitution. He lived and died for the cause of downtrodden. But it is a matter of concern that he is not being remembered and revered as he deserved by the members of the Dalit Samaj for whose diginity and welfafe he sacrificed his life.
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