Samata Diwas: Honoring Babu Jagjivan Ram's Legacy of Equality and Justice
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Samata Diwas celebrated on April 5 to honor Babu Jagjivan Ram's birth anniversary. |
| Significance | Honors Babu Jagjivan Ram's efforts for equality and justice. Promotes awareness against untouchability, casteism, and discrimination. |
| Public Holiday | Observed as a public holiday in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Who was Babu Jagjivan Ram? | Freedom fighter, social justice leader, and politician. Member of Parliament for 50 years and Union Minister for 30 years. |
| Early Life | Born on April 5, 1908, in Chandwa village, Bihar. Faced untouchability and discrimination from a young age. Educated at Arrah Town School, BHU, and University of Calcutta. |
| Family Life | First wife passed away in 1933. Married Indrani Devi. Father of Suresh Kumar and Meira Kumar (former Lok Sabha Speaker). |
| Struggles Against Discrimination | Faced caste-based discrimination in school and college. Advocated for equal rights and social justice. |
| Work for Social Equality | Founded Akhil Bharatiya Ravidas Mahasabha and All Indian Depressed Classes League in 1934. Advocated for open access to temples and wells for all, including untouchables. |
| Role in Freedom Struggle | Participated in Civil Disobedience Movement (1940) and Quit India Movement (1942). Post-independence, served as India's first Labour Minister and Defence Minister during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. |
| Political Career | Became member of Bihar Legislative Council at 28 (1936). Served as Deputy Prime Minister of India (1977). Held world record for 50 years of uninterrupted Parliamentary service. |
| Death and Memorial | Passed away on July 6, 1986. Cremation place is Samata Sthal, Delhi. Birth centenary celebrated in 2008. |
| Message of Samata Diwas | Promotes unity, equality, and justice. Inspires society to stand against discrimination and treat everyone with respect and dignity. |