Though Bhola Paswan Shastri worked tirelessly for the benefit of the underprivileged, he was never credited for his socio-political work

The name, Bhola Paswan Shastri, might have a different meaning for different sections of society, but his contributions and accomplishments in the social and political arena speak for themselves. It is unfortunate that Shastri’s endeavours have not been accommodated in the political history of India. Though he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the underprivileged and the oppressed, and for the freedom of the country from colonial rule, Shastri has never been duly credited for his socio-political work.

Simple living and high thinking was a way of life for the three-time Chief Minister of Bihar, who not just dedicated his whole life for the uplift of the marginalised sections of society but also followed a righteous path in the murky world of politics.

Not one to believe in politics of opportunism, nepotism, favouritism, glorification and cashing in on his following by bargaining for political posts, Shastri charted his own course in life and was always guided by political ethics and constitutional morality.

Born in 1914 in Bairgachhi, Purnea district, Bihar, in a family that belonged to the Pasi community (considered untouchables) Bhola Paswan, as he was known at that time, faced intense discrimination and atrocities. However, rising above that, he charted his way forward and was a brilliant student. He gained a respectable position in society by studying from the renowned Kashi University and the title of Shastri was conferred on him due to his keen intellect. Using his education as a means to fight for the emancipation of his people, Shastri began raising his voice against the caste system and the atrocities inflicted on members of the Dalit community. He participated in many of the struggles launched for the betterment of Dalits and later on joined active politics to make their voice heard as their representative.

Being a follower of Gandhi, he strongly advocated the Mahatma’s ideas during the days of freedom struggle and reiterated that political independence could not be achieved unless one was socially equal and liberated. Realising the important role education had played in his life; Shastri always stressed on the need for learning and urged Dalits to pursue higher education for an overall and holistic development. His keen understanding of socio-political dynamics allowed Shastri to ignite the minds of the oppressed and encourage them to break the shackles of poverty and social stigma attached to the caste-system.

Later Shastri, who also had a nationalistic bent of mind, was to jump into the struggle for India’s independence as a revolutionary and play a significant role in it. Shastri’s dynamic personality and love for the country, politics and social issues resulted in him becoming the first Dalit Chief Minister of Bihar in 1968. He was to occupy that post twice more. Shastri was also a member of the Rajya Sabha and a vocal advocate for his community and the progressive plans he had for them.

Shastri’s unmatched wit and intellect came through in an interview he gave in 1978 in his capacity as the Chairman of the then newly-founded Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission. When asked about caste-based discrimination in the country, he said, “With more people from different communities becoming educated, the discrimination against Harijans is slowly becoming less. But then, you also have rigid Hindus, like the ones who washed with Ganga water a statue that Jagjivan Ram had unveiled at Varanasi, in order to ‘purify’ it.”

He mobilised the Harijan community to enter the national mainstream and join hands with other landless peasants to change their lives for the better. Shastri supported affirmative action and termed it as a way to rectify the history of injustice dating back thousands of years. A proponent of the reservation policy, Shastri often pointed out that Harijans have a double impediment, poverty and social discrimination, to overcome and quota would help them beat this.

Shastri was one of the unsung leaders and visionaries of yesteryears who contributed a lot to the nation but never took advantage of their capacity and position. He always gave priority to society over his family and was against amalgamation of wealth, which is why Shastri was left with just a few clothes, a pair of shoes and a meagre bank account at the time of his death. Socialism and egalitarianism were the inalienable attributes of Shastri’s personality which is evident from the journey of his life.

It will be an injustice to let his name be erased from the annals of history, especially whenever we remember frontline social reformers and Dalit ideologues. In an era where politics of vendetta and nepotism is being used as a means to further personal agendas or decimate rivals, his simple lifestyle and brand of selfless politics can prove to be the guiding light for modern-day politicians and inspire many budding leaders.

 (The writer is a Research Scholar at Patna University.)