Guru Radha Kishan
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Guru Radha Kishan
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Delhi Sadar
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Personal
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Born
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Died
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Guru Radha Kishan (1925-1996) was an Indian Independence activist and
Communist politician.
Early
life
Kishan was born in 1925 in a family
of farmers on Krishna Janmashtami in Bid village of Harda district,
previously a part of Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh.
He had to experience the hardships of the life very early, as his father died
while he was a child.
Kishan first saw Mahatma Gandhi
in December 1933 when Gandhi visited Harda.[citation needed] It was Kishan's passion for studies that he got himself
enrolled for studies in a school at Chipawad near Khirkiya, which was miles
away from his native village. There he read a book authored by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin on the revolutionary struggle of Russia and an article
about Indian Independence movement activists Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Sukhdev Thapar,
Bhagat Singh
and Chandra Shekhar Azad.[citation needed]
Young Radha Kishan hoisted the tricolour Independence flag in his school and he was sent to a reformatory school by
the British colonial authorities for his act.[citation needed] Influenced by the martyrdom of the revolutionaries he left
his studies to join the Independence struggle of India. This was the beginning
of his revolutionary career which inspired him to leave his native place with
the intentions to do something for his country as said[clarification needed] by
Mahatma Gandhi in his speech at Harda.[citation needed]
Early
career
Social reformist, philosopher and
member of Constituent Assembly of India, Shankar Trimbak Dharmadhikari
popularly known as Dada Dharmadhikari was first major personality to notice Kishan's patriotism
and dedication for the Independence movement. Dada sent a patriotic message to
Kishan when he came to know about the courage shown by him during a protest
rally[which?][when?] against
colonial government.
Independence movement had acquired
momentum in Madhya Bharat when this young firebrand activist Radha Kishan
publicly challenged a British Police official and slapped him in front of a
large gathering while the officer started abusing the activists at an
Independence movement rally in Indore. Guru Radha Kishan was imprisoned
in the notorious Mahidpur jail where he was in solitary confinement in terrible
conditions. He always protested against insane British laws.
As one of the youngest activist from
Madhya Pradesh he spent months in prison after being under grounded for
more than two years. His colleagues includes Homi F Dazi, former
MP from Indore and General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress,
Independence activists Ram Chandra Sarvate, Prof. Mahesh Dutt Mishr, Member of
Constituent Assembly of India Vinayak Sarvate, Vinayakrao Sahasrabudhe, Sarjoo Pandey,
eminent painter N S Bendre, Anant Laagu and award
winning writer from Malwa region Shivnarain Shrivastava, author of ek sair
gehun. The social movement started by these activists against British
government got easy sustenance and firm roots between the masses of Indore and
Madhya Bharat as issues of economic and social deprivation were also
highlighted by them.
Narmada
ke Sacche Sapoot
In an address Governor of Madhya
Pradesh, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi once said about him[when?] that:
" Freedom fighter and social worker of unconditional integrity Guruji is a
noble soul with a pious heart. People like him are extremely rare in the
society today, it's an honour to facilitate such a selfless individual."[citation needed]
Despite political differences,
former president of BJP Kushabhau Thakre praised Guru Radha Kishan as Narmada ke Sacche Sapoot
mentioning his selfless social work and dedication for the underprivileged
class. Thakre also known for his simple lifestyle in political circles once
stated about Guru Ji that he was a gandhian in politics with no ambitions for
himself or his family at all.[citation needed]
Prior to this, on many occasions
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congressman Prakash Chandra Sethi requested him to accept the Freedom Fighter Pension
which he humbly but strongly denied. He was entirely not interested to accept
any pension for his participation in the Independence struggle of India. This
sets him apart from many other Independence activists who held high offices in
independent India is his complete insulation from material desire. He refused
to accept any pension and never applied for the same till it was declared as
Sammaan Nidhi by the government. Only after being declared as Samman Nidhi he
accepted the recognition from the government for being an Independence activist
even when he had no source of income and would not accept any favours from any
well wisher.[citation needed]
Mass
organisations and Communist Party
After India gained independence
Kishan undertook a fast unto death for 24 days to promote the cause of textile workers in
Delhi prior to became the youngest member of Delhi Municipal Committee. The
first elected mayor of Delhi and noted Independence activist Bharat Ratna
Aruna Asaf Ali was so impressed by his simplicity and selflessness that
she started calling him Guru Bhai.[citation needed]
Before Independence he was involved
in mobilising youth and organising trade union activities in textile mills and
unorganised sectors at various locations for All India Trade Union Congress
primarily in Indore,
Kota and Gwalior to name a few. This was continued in Delhi during 1948-50 where he worked
prominently to unite the workers in textile, municipal and unorganised sectors
when there was a crackdown on communists nationwide.[citation needed]
In fact the idea of uniting
unskilled labour of unorganised sector and his exceptional organising
capabilities made him so popular in political and social circles that workers
and colleagues started calling him Guruji. He was arrested many times
for social causes, for leading under privileged class, textile employees,
during general strikes and even for a strike of Delhi Police.
He worked with prominent communists and social activists of that era like Aruna
Asaf Ali, Mukimuddin Farooqui, Devdutt Atal, H L Parwana, Nuruddin Ahmed, Yagya
Dutt Sharma, Vimla (Kapoor) Farooqui, Premsagar Gupta, Pandit Madan Mohan, Ram
Chandra Sharma, N N Manna, Shaadi Lal, Janardan Sharma, B D Joshi, Shakeel
Ahmad, Sarla Sharma and educationists like Prof. Nand Lal Gupta to erect and
lead the communist movement in Delhi.[citation needed]
As first state president of the
youth wing of Communist Party, Kishan always encouraged young political and
social activists and nurtured them to be in forefront throughout his life. When
P K Vasudevan Nair and Balraj Sahani conveyed him about the idea of All
India Youth Federation he
actively participated in organising the first national conference of AIYF
in Delhi. About 250 delegates and observers representing several youth
organizations of eleven states of India attended this six-day session and the
event was a huge success. His wholehearted sincere efforts were visible when
strong presence of the organisation was noticed by E.M.S. Namboodiripad, Telangana hero Chandra Rajeswara Rao and other prominent leaders. Balraj Sahani was named first
President and Sarda Mitra was elected as general secretary of AIYF.[citation needed]
Social
and Public Representation
As an opposition stalwart and leader
of the CPI, Guru Radha Kishan's speeches in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi
were marked with positive criticism and earned him the admiration of even his
political opponents. Never enamoured of office, he was severely blunt about
government's failures and raised many an eyebrow among the benches with his
frank observations and constructive reasoning.[citation needed]
Kishan was very close to the masses
and a known champion of the causes of underprivileged people while serving as
Municipal Councillor of Delhi. He also served as member of various
administrative committees for state and central government with equal distinction.
That was the impact of Guruji between the masses of his area that even in 1977
when Janta Party swept away the polls almost everywhere he won the civic body
elections from his constituency and being the senior most in the house he
presided over the house as pro tempore
Mayor of Delhi.[citation needed]
Kishan represented India in Germany
leading a delegation to Düsseldorf. He discussed about the welfare plans for
working class in Germany and briefed about Indian Civic System to his
counterparts from other countries. Returning from Europe he enforced Delhi
administration and MCD officials to adapt many of those welfare schemes for a
better life of working class in Delhi. People from all walks of life come out
to support Guru Radha Kishan when Communist Party of India announced his
candidature from Delhi Sadar Parliamentary Constituency in 1977, the
same year he successfully contested the civic body polls also.[citation needed]
He was the firm believer of the fact
that only the education can bring the changes in the underprivileged people of
the society, he took the initiative to bring the first Janta Library in his
constituency which was inaugurated by Sh. Balraj Sahni,
an eminent film personality in the presence of the writers Amrita Pritam,
Bhishm Sahani, Santosh Anand, painter Narayan Shridhar Bendre and social activist Aruna Asaf Ali.
Kishan's firm belief that education is a must for progress in the life has
paved the way for a study circle which is still running with a social centre at
Guru Radha Kishan Smarak Bhavan, Clock Tower in Delhi.[citation needed]
Independent
and secular India
Kishan worked for communal harmony
during his six-decade-long political life; when violence in Delhi was triggered
by the assassination of Indira Gandhi
on 31 October 1984 by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Guru Radha Kishan came out on
the streets of Delhi to save innocent Sikhs in the worst-affected regions of
Delhi. He worked to protect Sikh families even when his office caught fire in
Delhi during that period. Guruji along with other persons from the civil
society came forward to provide immediate relief for the suffering Sikh
community.
A powerful speaker and voracious
reader himself, Kishan continued to read and analyze on several social issues,
secularism, political extremism and communist ideological issues till his
death. He was against communalism and worried by the rise of the communal
forces in our secular state. He always stood firm in fighting against any kind
of terrorism to counter the threat from the divisive forces. He was first to
criticise the extremism and applauded the glorious chapter of sacrifice made by
Communists in fighting extremism in Punjab under the leadership of his
colleague and Punjab MLA Darshan Singh Canadian.
Kishan severely criticised HKL
Bhagat and MP from Karol Bagh Dharam Das Shastri for their alleged role in
anti-Sikh riots even when they were very closely associated with him
personally. Till he passes away he strongly believed and condemned 1984 anti-Sikh riots along with 1947 Partition riots and Babri Masjid
demolition. Ideally, according to him they were the worst incidents in
independent India and any such incidents should not have happened at any cost.
Recognition
Addressing a large gathering at Ghantaghar Chowk
in Delhi after his death on January 10, 1996 Madan Lal Khurana, Delhi Chief Minister said " No house of his own to
live, no money, simple lifestyle and total commitment for public life to serve
selflessly the people, specially poor and deprived class makes Guru Radha
Kishan a perfect example to follow in public life and politics. Kisi se koi
man-bhaid nahin chhahe kitne bhi raajnaitik mat-bhaid hon. Guruji was a
constant source of support for all progressive people of Delhi, a true saint in
the politics."[citation needed]
The Leader of Opposition of Delhi
Assembly Jagpravesh Chandra
said " If you ask me to name any other politician like him in Delhi its
extremely difficult for me because Guru Radha Kishan was a gandhian in approach
and a true communist in ideas. He was a man of masses, a role model for
integrity and honesty in public life." Former Union Minister and Delhi
Sadar MP Jagdish Tytler added " Guruji never asked for any personal favour from
anyone ever, he will keep guiding us as he will survive in our hearts
forever."[citation needed]
Home Minister of India Indrajit Gupta, also present at his funeral ceremony called this as
severely painful personal loss. He further added that it was a great loss for
the underprivileged class and communist movement as a whole and for the members
of All India Trade Union Congress in Delhi specially. Communist historian Anand
Gupta wrote in a special mention about him "Guruji was always so involved
with the people that often he had no time for the basic requirements of his own
life." In short, he was always available for the general public and the
underprivileged class of the society.
M Farooqui, Sudhakar
Reddy MP, Abani Roy, Politburo Member CPM and MP S. Ramachandran Pillai, National Secretary CPI and MP J Chittranjan,
President of Delhi State Congress and Member of Congress National Working Committee
Deep Chand Bandhu, Film actor-wrestler and MP Dara Singh,
Journalist Prabhash Joshi and E Srinivasan, Secretary Government of India were
also present to give the final salute to this Swatantrata Sangram Sainik.
National Minorities Commission
Member Harcharan Singh Josh remembered him as a man of principles and
impeccable integrity with a pious soul, he added "Guruji always condemned
any discrimination based on the religion or caste and worked for substantial
improvements in the position of underprivileged people." Prominent
Communist Prem Sagar Gupta said that " Guru was a man of masses and
loved to be with them. Though not much has been said about him despite his
exceptional service to the nation pertaining to his period, his dedication for
red flag and communist movement, passion for social work and organisational
capabilities will be remembered for a long time by communist cadre and
masses."
Loksabha Speaker PM Sayeed, Aruna Asaf Ali,
Com. P K Vasudevan Nair, Com. Homi F Dazi, NFIW leader Vimla Farooqui, Union
Minister Chaturanan Mishra, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay
Singh, Independence activists Chaudhary Ranbir Singh Hooda, Sheelbhadra Yazee, Sarla Sharma, BD Joshi, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, Chaudhary Prem Singh, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Former Union Minister Rajesh Pilot,
HKL Bhagat,
Santosh Anand, Kedar Nath Sahani, Brijmohan Toofaan, Guru Hanuman,
Purshottam Goyal and Viresh Pratap Chaudhary send their heartfelt condolences
to the family. Many social and religious leaders apart from other dignitaries
from major political parties and trade unions also attended the gathering to
pay final tribute to a very simple man.
Wife
and child
Kishan was ably supported by his
better half Sunita Sharma throughout his life. His family was arrested so many times
for social and political reasons but his wife Sunita Guru, herself a prominent NFIW activist even though came from a
rich family of landowners neither regretted nor complained about this lifestyle
and always supported him.[citation needed]
She held various positions in NFIW
and lead from the front to serve the people, be it the relief camps organised
by NFIW for flood effected people or the Shanti March after 1984 Sikh riots. She was
a source of constant encouragement for collage students and women volunteers
during mass movements and election campaigns. She treated them like her family
and always ensured the safety and timely meals for them, so many times she has
to cook for them herself which she happily did.[citation needed]
She worked rigorously to organise
the first Shanti March in Delhi and ensured a noticeable participation of Sikhs
and their families demanding immediate relief for Sikh community and severe
prosecution for the killers. Several human rights organizations along with the
media applauded this humanitarian act of her and fellow comrades.[citation needed]
Like her husband she always followed
the path of simplicity and impeccable integrity and insisted others to follow
the same course in public life. She suffered a lot and had very tough times
lately but she never compromised with her principles. Neither she demanded nor
accepted any favours from anyone throughout her life.[citation needed]
Born at Saharanpur on 2 March 1939
in a Zamindaar family, Sunita zealously started working for the underprivileged
after her marriage and remained involved with NFIW and Communist movement till
her eternal sleep on Deepawali, November 13, 2012. Amarjeet Kaur,
Secretary CPI National Council, Prof. Dinesh Varshney, Deputy Dean Delhi
University and Dhirendra Sharma, Secretary Delhi Communist Party were among the
people gathered to pay her the last tributes.
Despite being a prominent politician
of Delhi he was always accessible to public, a man of masses loved by every
class of the society. Guru Radha Kishan fought valiantly for the economic
deprivation for the poor and the issues of social deprivation in Delhi. He was
so selfless that he rides a bicycle, he has no house and bank balances to mention.
Guru Radha Kishan never deviated from the decent self conduct throughout his
public life and opted to live in a rented premises of one room and shunned many
of the facilities he was entitled to. Being an honest representative of society
he was widely respected for his integrity, honesty and transparency cutting
across party lines. He was a true social worker and a person who deserves to be
respected and loved. Alas! he is a history."
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