SHAMSUDDIN AHMED, QUAZI MOHALLA, SHERGHATI, GAYA, BIHAR

Little is known specially outside Bihar about Jagdeo Prasad a crusader who fell to the bullets of Savarnas (upper castes), Jagdeo Prasad was born on Feb.2 1922 in an extremely poor family at village Kurhari in Jehanabad dt., Bihar. His father, Pariyag Narain Prasad, a primary school teacher and a man ‘of devotion and determination, gave him the best of education, By dint of his sheer diligence and brilliance and with the financial help of one benevolent Paditu Babu, Jagdeo Prasad carried on his education and stood first in matriculation, a rare achievement in those days.

The occasion was to be celebrated to facilitate young Jagdeo Prasad but his father suddenly died the same day plunging him into an ocean of grief and sorrow. Jagdco Prasad threw out all the deities installed inside the house, He turned agnostic and lived as such till the last.

Manu’s law: In fact, he had been an out and out revolutionary from the very beginning. His revolutionary and innovative mind never accepted Manu’s law. Crusader, Jagdeo Prasad was an outstanding and matchless personality. Because of his views, he looked unique though in some respects he followed Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, yet his views were akin to those of Lenin. That is why he was known ‘as the Lenin of Bihar”.

He managed to continue his studies by taking private tuitions and acquired a thorough knowledge of politics.

He was so popular among students that he was soon elected member of the Student’s Federation of India, Completing MA with flying colors, Jagdeo turned to active politics.

First victory: However, an incident occurred which amply throws light on his character and thinking, ‘The elephants of the landlords of the area plundered poor farmers’ crops but these poor people had no gusto protest. Jagdeo could not tolerate the atrocity and launched a battle which he won against landlords and the plundering of crops by their elephants stopped after that.

The Brahmins and other upper castes, however, always had a field day in India. The media was controlled by the same people. The Congress Govt. came to power in 1947 and this encouraged the 10% uppercases. Independence helped them to step up the exploitation of 90% of the population. jagdeo Babu decided to fight against this exploitation and free them from the shackles of slavery.

Lohia Party: India is the “biggest democracy” only on paper and Brahmins shout secularism to cover up their Sins, but the question is: “Do all the people enjoy the same rights and privileges as the sawarnas?” The Congress govt. represents only 10% of the people while there are 90% shosit (exploited). These things formulated his political thinking and ultimately he joined the “Sanjukt Socialist Party” headed by Dr. Lohia.

The Party slogan in those days was “Out of hundred (100%), there must be sixty (60%) for the BCs, SCs and STs.” Party workers shouted “Soshiston ne bandi ganth, pichhra pawe sao mein sath” (The oppressed have all united and demand 60% reservation). Jagdeo served the party in all seriousness for almost 17 years. Due to agitations and demonstrations launched by the party, he was imprisoned several times. He remained in SSP till 1966.

Brahmins capture party: But the slogan proved to a hoax. By 1966 end the hollowness of this slogan became clear. Brahmins had captured the party. Though I know their names I don’t want to name them. When the elections came Jagdeo felt that he was cheated.

Sanjukt Socialist Party was working on 60%-40% formula but this formula was always violated.

On August 25 1967, the parting of ways came, He launched a new party called Shosit Dal” at Patna. A mammoth meeting was held at the historic Anjunlan-e-Islamia Hall. Patna, which he addressed. He thundered: “The Sawamas haye made our fathers to till their lands but 1 refuse to do their political, ploughing. Nor have I been bom for such a nasty work. I swear that I would bring all the blacks on the same platform, Such Black people are destined to share the gaddi of Delhi to distribute the wealth of the country among themselves.”

to be continued… courtesy Dalit Voice

 

Article extracted from this publication >> July 22, 1994