Gadkari pays tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram on death anniversary
Synopsis
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on July 6, 2026, paid tribute to freedom fighter and Dalit icon Babu Jagjivan Ram on his death anniversary, honouring his decades-long struggle for the fundamental rights of Dalits and workers. Jagjivan Ram served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1977 to 1979 and founded the All India Depressed Classes League in the 1930s.
Key Takeaways
Nitin Gadkari posted a tribute on July 6, 2026 , marking the death anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram .
Gadkari honoured Jagjivan Ram's continuous struggle for the fundamental rights of exploited Dalits and workers .
Babu Jagjivan Ram served as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979 .
He founded the All India Depressed Classes League in the 1930s to advocate for Scheduled Caste rights.
The Constitution of India (1950) enshrined safeguards for Scheduled Castes that Jagjivan Ram had long championed.
The BJP has increasingly marked anniversaries of Dalit leaders as part of its political outreach to marginalised communities.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday, July 6, 2026, paid tribute to freedom fighter and Dalit leader Babu Jagjivan Ram on his death anniversary, honouring his lifelong struggle for the rights of the oppressed and exploited.
Context
Gadkari posted on X in Hindi, writing: 'महान स्वतंत्रता सेनानी बाबू जगजीवन राम जी शोषित और पीड़ित दलितों, मज़दूरों के मूलभूत अधिकारों की रक्षा के लिए निरंतर संघर्षरत रहे।' ('The great freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji continuously struggled to protect the fundamental rights of the exploited and oppressed Dalits and workers.'). The minister concluded with a respectful salutation on the occasion of the punyatithi (death anniversary).
Babu Jagjivan Ram, born on April 5, 1908, was one of independent India's most enduring political figures. He served as a Union minister across multiple governments over several decades, holding portfolios including Defence, and served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1977 to 1979 under Prime Minister Charan Singh.
Policy Backdrop
Jagjivan Ram's political career was anchored in social justice. In the 1930s, he established the All India Depressed Classes League to campaign for the rights of Scheduled Castes, making him a foundational voice in India's anti-caste movement alongside other reformers of the era.
The Constitution of India (1950) incorporated several safeguards for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes — protections that Jagjivan Ram had long advocated. His legacy is seen as integral to the constitutional framework of social equality that governs India today.
Stakeholders and Impact
Dalit communities and labour unions across India regard Jagjivan Ram as a pioneering champion of their rights. His death anniversary is observed by political parties and civil society organisations as an occasion to reaffirm commitments to social justice and constitutional equality.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has in recent years expanded its commemorative messaging to include leaders historically associated with marginalised communities. Senior ministers issuing such tributes is part of a broader effort to signal political inclusivity across caste and community lines.
What's Next
Tributes from other Union ministers and state governments are expected through the day, and commemorative events at national memorials dedicated to Babu Jagjivan Ram may be held across the country. The anniversary serves as a recurring moment for political parties to articulate their positions on Dalit rights and social equity.
Point of View
Which has historically been perceived as upper-caste in its core base, such gestures carry deliberate political weight. Jagjivan Ram's legacy — spanning the freedom movement, constitutional advocacy, and executive power at the highest level — makes him a figure whose memory commands broad respect across party lines. The consistency of such tributes from senior ministers reflects a long-term strategy of symbolic inclusivity that complements, but does not replace, substantive policy commitments to marginalised communities.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Babu Jagjivan Ram?
Babu Jagjivan Ram was a prominent freedom fighter, Dalit leader, and long-serving Union minister who served as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. He founded the All India Depressed Classes League in the 1930s to campaign for the rights of Scheduled Castes.
When is Babu Jagjivan Ram's death anniversary?
Babu Jagjivan Ram's death anniversary falls on July 6 . Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and other political leaders mark the occasion each year with formal tributes.
Why did Nitin Gadkari pay tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram?
Gadkari paid tribute on the occasion of Jagjivan Ram's death anniversary, honouring his lifelong struggle to protect the fundamental rights of Dalits, the oppressed, and workers in India.
What is Babu Jagjivan Ram's contribution to India?
Jagjivan Ram advocated for constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes that were incorporated into the Constitution of India in 1950. He also held key portfolios including Defence and served as Deputy Prime Minister, making him one of the most influential Dalit leaders in Indian political history.
What did Nitin Gadkari say about Babu Jagjivan Ram?
Gadkari said that Babu Jagjivan Ram 'continuously struggled to protect the fundamental rights of the exploited and oppressed Dalits and workers,' and offered a respectful salutation on his death anniversary.
