Dr. Ram Lal Jassi – An Obituary
-RAMESH CHANDER
(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- Dr. Ram Lal Jassi (March, 1940 – July, 2024) passed away on July 31, 2024 after a prolonged health problems. I happen to know Jassi Sahib since long from my young formative years in 1960s. If I recall correctly in the mid-1960s, Ram Lal Jassi, belonging to a poor family of Mohalla Ram Nagar in Jalandhar, became a BAMS doctor, a rare feat in the community. I understand by pursuing his professional career, he started dabbling in community activities and under the influence of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Babu Mangoo Ram Mugowalia. A tall and slim personality of Dr. Jassi was impressive as a good orator and a dedicated activist. By the time, I left for Delhi in pursuit of my bread and butter in early, 1970; Dr. Jassi became one of my undeclared motivators to learn English as in those days in Jalandhar, apart from Lahori Ram Balley (one of the senior associates and comrades of Dr. Jassi in public life and flag bearers of Babasaheb Ambedkar), Dr. Ram Lal Jassi was the only person in our community, to my mind, who spoke and wrote good English. Given his poor background and ordinary schooling, it was possible only because of his relentless and untiring efforts. I was much impressed.
Dr. Ram Lal Jassi, I understand, remained in public life for almost six decades under varied band-wagons – All India Scheduled Caste Federation, RPI, BSP, SAD, Congress Party among others with Highs and Lows in the process. He tried his luck in politics many a times under the flag of various parties by contesting Municipal and Assembly elections over the years. But could not make it and lost with unbelievably low margins. Dr. Ram Lal Jassi, MLA/Minister, he could not become. It was a pity. My guts tell me that he would have been an excellent and competent person to represent the community as a staunch Ambedkarite. One thing goes to his credit, in spite of his side-tracked political career, in terms of elections and positions, Dr. Jassi remained in the reckoning wherever he stationed himself. It was only because of his down to earth but simple thinking and life style. He remained a humble but dignified personality throughout.
On my return to Jalandhar after a long diplomatic career, I picked up the threads and revived our contact. We met off and own at Ambedkar Bhawan Jalandhar where he was associated with the outfits like; Ambedkar Bhawan Trust, Ambedkar Mission Society, Samata Sainik Dal etc. and rightly so. He always treated me with love and affection as a fatherly figure. Every time, he would tell me that he liked my blogs and advised me to share these with him. Yet another thing which I noticed that he would generally tend to speak to me in English. In turn, I always felt good and appreciated his gesture. Jassi sahib was a great man. His demise is a great loss to the community.
With heartfelt condolences to Dr. Rahul, worthy son of Dr. Ram Lal Jassi and the bereaved family.
“हज़ारों साल नर्गिस अपनी बेनूरी पे रोती है. बड़ी मुश्किल से होता है चमन में दीदावर पैदा”
