Lucknow, April 4 Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said on Saturday that the life and struggles of Babu Jagjivan Ram serve as an inspiration for the present generation.
She was speaking at a seminar and felicitation program organized at the Uttar Pradesh Congress headquarters in Lucknow on the eve of Jagjivan Ram's birth anniversary. The event was themed "Relevance of Babu Jagjivan Ram in contemporary India: social justice and inclusive development."
Babu Jagjivan Ram was a prominent freedom fighter, social reformer, and one of India's most influential Dalit leaders. Born in 1908 in Bihar, he played an active role in the independence movement. He served in several important ministerial roles, including as Defence and Agriculture Minister.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Kumar praised Lucknow's culture and welcomed party members, saying that while people today believe in "me first," the city's ethos teaches "you first."
With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching, the event is being viewed as part of the party's outreach to Dalit voters. Dalits, along with Other Backward Classes, have been key support bases behind the electoral success of the Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress, in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, managed to check the BJP's numbers in the state.
According to a statement issued by the Congress headquarters, Kumar became emotional while recalling Jagjivan Ram's life and struggles.
She said his participation in the freedom movement, mobilizing Dalits and the underprivileged, and instilling a sense of nationalism among them were his key contributions.
Kumar also highlighted his role as agriculture minister, saying he promoted initiatives like the Green Revolution to eliminate hunger from India by encouraging the use of improved seeds, chemical fertilizers, and modern agricultural techniques, which significantly boosted foodgrain production.
Delhi University academic Ratan Lal, the keynote speaker, spoke about Jagjivan Ram's political life, describing him as a true crusader for Dalits and the marginalized.
He said that after Independence, Jagjivan Ram became a member of the Constituent Assembly and played an important role in ensuring social justice.
Member of Parliament, Tanuj Punia, welcomed the attendees and outlined the theme of the seminar. The program was coordinated and conducted by Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee media department vice-chairman Manish Hindvi.
Party national general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pandey said Jagjivan Ram's life teaches courage and unwavering determination.
Presiding over the event, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai paid tributes to Jagjivan Ram and said he worked for justice for Dalits and the underprivileged.
He said the party resolves to follow his ideals and contribute to the development of society and the nation.
Rai also stressed the need for collective efforts, expressing confidence that unity would ensure the Congress party's victory in the 2027 elections.
