Remembering Saheed Amar Nath Bhagat

Dr Bharat Bhushan
Our country has the distinction of giving rise to many social & cultural movements that changed the course of history for better.
Many freedom fighters, crusaders and social mobilizers devoted their lives in spreading the message of amity, solidarity & communal harmony and social equity.
Auribindo Ghosh, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Mahatma Jyoti Bhai Phule, Vinoba Bhave, Savitri Bhai Phule , Baba Amte & hundreds of others enriched our social fabric by their life time contributions.
How can we forget the contribution of Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who himself faced hardships in life, acquired education in law and other fields despite facing social discrimination, deprivation & neglect.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was made the head of our country’s Constitution Drafting Committee. And as head of the Constitution Drafting Committee, he made remarkable contribution & gave us a very comprehensive and futuristic document which encompasses inclusive growth, development and ensures level playing field for all sections of the society. We are proud to have a document in the shape of Constitution which gives special provisions for deprived and neglected sections of the society and gives thrust on women empowerment. He made special provisions for safeguarding the interests of women, Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes. He advocated for provision of reservation for Scheduled castes, Scheduled tribes to bring them at par with other sections of the society and empower them educationally.
The central govt. made provisions for such sections and today there is perceptible change in the lives of these sections. It is pertinent to mention here that reservation for SCs & STs was implemented in other parts of country but till 1970, no such provision was there in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes of J&K were ignored for decades of this vital provision. Many strikes, agitations and street protests were organized since late sixties in J&K for including the provision of reservation for SCs and STs but the then government paid no need to their voice. There was strong resentment against government over denial of rights to the deprived sections of the society.
It was at that time that one Sh. Amar Nath Bhagat of village Champa near Batote of the then Doda Distt. raised his voice. He came to Jammu and came in contact with noted leaders of that time namely Sh. Babu Parmanand, Babu Milkhi Ram, Bhagat Chajju Ram, Pishori Lal, Mahasha Nar Singh & Mahasha Panjab Singh. He participated in the protests for years altogether but no visible change was seen in the attitude of the adamant administration.
The negative attitude of the Govt. infuriated otherwise calm and composed Sh. Amar Nath Ji who decided to sit on indefinite fast in front of Civil Secretariat in Shalamar Park, Jammu to press for including the provision of reservation for Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes of J&K.
Days passed on and the health of Amar Nath Ji got deteriorated day after day. The other colleagues persuaded Bhagat Amar Nath to abandon the fast but he insisted on continuance of indefinite fast. He told his colleagues that for the welfare of deprived sections, he will not hesitate to devote his life. He refused to take even water and medicines. And in the true spirit of dedication and devotion, he breathed his last on Ist June 1970 while leading the protest in hot and humid May-June summers.
After his death, the Govt. woke up from deep slumber and agreed to introduce the provision of reservation for scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir.
On this day, the indebted people of Jammu and Kahsmir salute Saheed Amar Nath Bhagat Sahib whose contribution for betterment and empowerment of weaker sections of the society will continue to inspire coming generations for the cause of social justice, equity, fair play and evil free society.
The supreme sacrifice of Saheed Amar Nath Ji is unparallel in the history of J&K and he can be regarded as Ambedkar of Jammu and Kashmir.
Salute to Saheed Amar Nath Bhagat Ji.
(The writer- a former JKAS Officer is now Member of J&K Legislative Assembly)

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