Rahul pays tributes to socialist leader Jagjivan Ram on anniv

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid floral tributes to prominent socialist leader Babu Jagjivan Ram at his memorial here on his 118th birth anniversary, which is commemorated as ‘Samata Diwas’ across the country.

“Respectful tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram ji on his birth anniversary. Babuji dedicated his life for the rights of the deprived, exploited and Dalits. He strengthened the democratic and constitutional values of the country by strengthening their rights and participation. His thoughts and struggle will always inspire us,” Rahul Gandhi said on social media.

Born in a Dalit family, Jagjivan Ram from Bihar’s Bhojpur faced discrimination early in life and this fuelled his determination to fight against social injustice.

Popularly known as ‘Babuji’, Jagjivan Ram was a national leader and freedom fighter who championed the rights of the downtrodden in society.

It was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who recognised Jagjivan Ram’s organisational skills and in 1935, he played a key role in establishing the All-India Depressed Classes League. He joined the Congress and was lauded as a powerful spokesperson for the depressed classes.

When Jawaharlal Nehru formed the provisional government, Jagjivan Ram became its youngest minister. After Independence, he was appointed the country’s first Labour Minister. He also held various other portfolios including railways, food and agriculture, transport and communications, irrigation and defence. He was the Defence Minister during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

Jagjivan Ram served as a Member of Parliament for nearly 50 years from 1936 to 1986 without interruption.