DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, jun 14
All Jammu and Kashmir Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha (AJKSGRDS) Regd.), Head Office Krishna Nagar, Jammu, celebrated the birth anniversary of veteran Dalit leader and former MLA, Late Adv. Babu Milkhi Ram, paying rich tributes to his lifelong struggle for social justice, equality and the upliftment of marginalized communities.
Speaking on the occasion, Sabha President Er. R.C. Bhasin highlighted the remarkable journey of Babu Milkhi Ram, who was born on June 14, 1926, into a cobbler family and rose to become one of the most respected voices of the Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir. He said Babu Ji passed matriculation in 1944 and married Smt. Ishri Devi in 1947 at the age of 21. Despite facing immense hardships, he remained steadfast in his commitment to serving the oppressed and underprivileged sections of society. Bhasin said the life and mission of B. R. Ambedkar deeply influenced Babu Milkhi Ram after he met Babasaheb in Punjab during 1951-52. He later completed his LL.B. in 1964 and practiced law in Jammu. He also founded Harijan Mandal (Central) in 1950 and contested the first Assembly elections in 1957, emerging as a prominent Dalit leader.
Senior Vice President Prof. G.L. Thapa shared his personal experiences with Babu Milkhi Ram and described him as a man of unwavering principles who never compromised on issues concerning justice and equality. He said Babu Ji stood firmly with the poor and fought relentlessly against discrimination and atrocities faced by Dalits.
Chief Spokesperson Prof. C.L. Shivgotra threw light on Babu Milkhi Ram’s contribution to social movements and Dalit rights in Jammu and Kashmir. He recalled Babu Ji’s leadership during the Dalit agitations at Madheen and Chhann Rorian in Kathua in 1956. He said a hunger strike by 11 volunteers continued until the then Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad intervened and assured justice to the aggrieved community.
Prof. Shivgotra further revealed that Babu Milkhi Ram was offered the post of Finance Minister by the then Prime Minister on the condition that he merged Harijan Mandal with the ruling party. However, he rejected the offer and continued his independent struggle for reservation rights, social justice and farmers’ tenancy rights.
General Secretary Tarsem Loach, while presenting the vote of thanks, said Babu Milkhi Ram worked tirelessly for the unity of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. He noted that Babu Ji launched the newspaper Subh-e-Jammu in 1980 and submitted a 25-point charter of demands to the government. In 1982, he was nominated Vice Chairman of the J&K State Scheduled Caste Advisory Board but resigned in 1984 following the fall of the government, choosing to return home on foot rather than use an official vehicle.
Remembering his legacy, speakers described Babu Milkhi Ram, who passed away on May 7, 1989, as the “Ambedkar of Jammu and Kashmir” for his immense contribution to the cause of social justice and empowerment of marginalized communities.
Among those who paid floral tributes were Tulsi Dass Langeh, Dr. Vijay Shivgotra, Madan Lal, Surjeet Singh Heer, Tara Chand, Bodh Raj, Er. Baldev Chadgal, Kuldeep Thapa, Madan Lal Sangral, Ajeet Kumar Bassan, Surinder Gorka, Mangat Ram Kalsi, Karam Chand and several others.
Sahil Sangral, grandson of Late Babu Milkhi Ram, also joined the programme and paid respectful tributes to his grandfather.
