Jagjivan Ram, popularly known as Babuji, was a Dalit icon who dedicated his life for betterment of the untouchables. Today is his 112nd birth anniversary. He holds a world record of being a parliamentarian uninterrupted for a record 50 years between 1936 and 1986. One of the most revered Dalit leaders, he served as defence minister of India during the India-Pakistan war of 1971. He later served as deputy prime minister of the country between 1977 and 1979.
Babu Jagjivan Ram was an active participant in the country's independence struggle and also founded the All-India Depressed Classes League in 1935 that worked towards getting equality for the untouchables.
For his proficiency in Sanskrit, he was invited to join Banaras Hindu University by its founder Madan Mohan Malviya.
His daughter Meira Kumar served as the Lok Sabha Speaker between 2009 and 2014.
On his 112nd birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Remembering Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji on his Jayanti. Babuji not only contributed to the Freedom Struggle but also to the development of independent India, especially in agriculture, labour welfare, railways and defence. He worked tirelessly for the poor and down-trodden," he said.
"Tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram, freedom fighter and social activist, on his birth anniversary," Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.
His daughter Meira Kumar and other leaders paid tributes to the great leader.
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