Source: PIB
Subject: History
Context: The nation paid rich tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 119th birth anniversary. Dignitaries, including former President Ram Nath Kovind and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, gathered at Samta Sthal (his memorial) in New Delhi to honor his legacy.
About Babu Jagjivan Ram:
Who He Was?
- Popularly known as Babuji, Jagjivan Ram was a towering national leader, a veteran freedom fighter, and an unwavering crusader for social justice. He holds the record for being a Union Cabinet Minister for 35 years—the longest tenure in Indian history—and served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India.
Early Life:
- Birth: Born on April 5, 1908, in Chandwa (Bihar) to a Dalit family.
- Education: Despite facing severe caste-based discrimination, he excelled academically. He attended Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and later Calcutta University, where he organized students against social inequalities.
- Social Awakening: In 1935, he was instrumental in foundation of the All India Depressed Classes League, an organization dedicated to attaining equality for untouchables.
Key Contribution to Indian Freedom Movement:
- Civil Disobedience: He was actively involved in the Quit India Movement (1942) and was imprisoned by the British for his participation.
- Organizational Role: He served as a bridge between the Dalit community and the Indian National Congress, ensuring that the struggle for independence was also a struggle for social reform.
- Interim Government: In 1946, he became the youngest minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s interim government, handling the Labour portfolio.
Key Contributions to Post-Independent India
- Green Revolution: As the Minister for Food and Agriculture (1967–1970), he is credited with successfully steering the Green Revolution, making India self-sufficient in food grains.
- 1971 War: As the Defence Minister during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, his leadership was pivotal in India’s victory and the subsequent birth of Bangladesh.
- Labour Reforms: He introduced several landmark legislations for workers’ rights, including the Minimum Wages Act and the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme.
Last Days:
- In 1977, he resigned from the Congress and formed the Congress for Democracy, eventually joining the Janata Party alliance.
- He served as Deputy Prime Minister from January 1979 to July 1979.
- He remained an active parliamentarian until his passing on July 6, 1986.
