(Samaj Weekly)- Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s 121st Birth anniversary is on the 12th September 2023. He is respected as the ANMOLIK HEERA OF THE VALMIKIAN COMMUNITY. His contribution towards the Valmikian Community’s progress is immense.
He has been and will always be remembered as an influential figure of the Valmikian Community. He was quite close to Subash Chander Bose and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He canvassed for Dr. Ambedkar Ji by conveying his messages into the unreachable areas in Punjab. It was Punjab that stood in support of Dr. Ambedkar. Babu Mangu Ram Ji ( a Ravidassian) and Babu Chuni Lal Taper Ji ( a Valmikian) are on the record for sitting together on death fast in oppose to Mahatma Gandhi’s fasting.
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In some areas, the messengers sent by Pandit Bakshi Ram, came under attack and had resulted in couple of deaths. He was known as the NETA (meaning the leader) of the Valmikian community. He helped Dr. Ambedkar Ji in every manner to promote his movement in Punjab
His closeness with Dr. Ambedkar and Subash Chander Bose plus his devotion towards welfare of the Valmikian Community, came into notice of the Indian Government and on the25th Independence Day, celebrated in the year1972, late Mrs Indra Gandhi honored him for his services. He had also received from the (Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Akadami – Bharat Ratan – Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – National Award for the year 1992 – 1993).
There are similarities in upbringing of Pandit Bakshi Ram and Dr. Ambedkar. They were both born in very poor families. Dr. Ambedkar used a lamp to study and Pandit Bakshi Ram instead used a deepak. Dr. Ambedkar studied law to bring changes whereas Pandit Bakshi Ram went into religious studies to bring back lost pride and dignity for the Adhi-vasi communities. He studied 175 scriptures for his research.
They have both put enormous amount of effort to free deprived people from the chains of caste system laid by the Brahmin Organizations. Dr Ambedkar had drafted the Indian Constitution through which India has progressed to where it is now. ISRO has planted Indian flag on the moon. India has done the unthinkable by reaching the area the others have failed. To achieve this all have grouped together regardless of caste, culture or creed. It was a joint effort but some have failed to gain credit they deserved.
Unfortunately the Hindu Rashtra is forcibly being introduced. Their main agenda seems is to stop the inter caste marriages. Poison of hatred is being spread. The organizations behind promoting of Hindu Rashtra are classifying nation on religious grounds. They are creating fear through rape, murder and torture. The whole world is eagerly watching.
They cannot tolerate progress of the others, so to stop this, they are privatizing education in India. They are trying to block all the means to progress because they want to reshape India as it was in ancient times. Behind introduction of the Hindu Rashtra are very sinister ideas.
In the past they had withdrawn education and are doing the same now. They want to establish that they are superior to all through birth. The Indian Constitution does not support or agree to this claim so they want it to be replaced by Manusmirity.
Pandit Bakshi Ram has managed to bring back pride and dignity for the Valmikian Community. In the year 1920, he voiced for recognition of the Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Amritsar but was jailed.
This drew a lot of attention towards this historical Valmiki Ashram where Sita Ji and her children Luv and Kush had spent a good part of their life.
Following his call and through contribution of Mahatma Gian Nath Ji, legal proceedings by the Bhagwan Valmiki Central Sabha U.K. and through cooperation of the Valmikian Sabhas in Punjab, finally Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram is present in Amritsar. Late Sardar Prakash Singh Badal led the field.
By building this Ashram, the Punjab Government, has set an example for others to follow. Since Independence of India, various ruling parties have taken control but none has seriously taken the Valmikian issues on board. On false promises they have gained their votes and have totally ignored them after success. This has been general practice since Independence and the Punjab Government has broken the taboo.
It is a blessing that today Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Amritsar is present for the future generation to look upon. Late Sardar Prakash Singh Badal was chosen by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji for this purpose and his contribution will always be remembered.
On the opening day of the Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram, all the Government Officials highly praised Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji and credited him for his research to be the key factor to this achievement. Should he have not researched then the possibilities are that there would have been no knowledge about this historical place.
At one stage Pandit Bakshi Ram, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Babu Mangu Ram Ji all worked as one group and because of them, the Aadi-Vaasis especially from Punjab are today all over the world.
Shree Gurdas Ram Alam, a highly renowned poet of Punjab was also very closely associated to Pandit Bakshi Ram. He understood about pain of Pandit Bakshi Ram and the sufferings the deprived people were going through. He expressed them in poems and his poetry is still highly ranked today.
It would be worth pointing out that the Indian Government honored Pandit Bakshi Ram, the Indian Flag and eleven gun salute as final gesture.
My late father Shree Hazara Ram Teji Ji had always held high regard for Pandit Bakshi Ram and I do the same.
The Valmikians must not forget that the pride and joy they are enjoying today is result of hard research done by PANDIT BAKSHI RAM JI. He lived for ninety years and out of which he served forty years in jail. He was often locked in prison to stop him from raising the Valmikian issues. He had fought for the Valmikian rights till his last breath.
The times under the BJP Government are taking a bad turn. The Valmikian community, the Ravidassia community and the followers of Dr.Ambedkar need to work as one unit only then they can safeguard their interests.
Taking into account the latest developments in India, it seems that all the Aadi-vaasi and the other communities need to immediately unite to fend off this uprising Hindutva movement. The future under Hindutva looks very bleak.
Pandit Bakshi Ram and Babu Mangu Ram have both worked together in the Adhi- Dharam movement. So getting together again of the Valmikian and the Ravidassia brotherhood is extremely essential and IT MATTERS MOST NOW.
Jai Bharat.
M. Teji
