Apr 25, 2013

Mangat Ram Bhagat

Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat, IAS
           
Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat very pleasing and noble personality was born in a tiny periphery village Atalgarh of Bhaderwah town in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir on 9-6-1921. His father Sh. Mani Karan was a saint man- a small farmer. He did his schooling from Bhaderwah and joined S.P.College Srinagar from where he passed his graduation from Punjab University (There was no University there in the state).

Thereafter, he joined Aligarh Muslim University and did his M.A .LLB. it was very difficult for a Scheduled Caste to get educated as there was caste prejudice and Dr. K.G. Sayeddin who was Director Education and then Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University, helped him to complete his port-graduation and Law.

He came back to Jammu. During those days there was no political movement or organization excepting ‘Megh Mandal’ or Socio Political setup sponsored by Sh. Bhagat Chajju Ram at R.S.Pura. He persuaded him to enlarge its scope and include all other communities of down trodden people. Thus Harijan Mandal came into being. The activities were enlarged and the entire Jammu region was covered. It became a very strong force to fight against untouchability which was very prevalent in the region. Although it met a strong resistance from so called “Swarn Hindus” but it emerged a very strong force not socially but politically as well. The Arya Smaj did play its role in pleading the cause of the Scheduled Caste.

Events started taking place. There was ‘Roti’ agitation and Anti-Cow slaughter movement. Pt. Prem Nath Dogra was in government service but was sacked due to his leniency towards these movements. He sought his help and the Hirjan Mandal which was the only organization in Jammu forced others to join hands. Muslim conference headed by Sheikh Abdullah was limited to Kashmir region. Sensing the tune of the time Sheikh Abdullah converted it into National Conference . The Harijan Mandal extended its support. The Maharaja Hari Singh had a keen eye on the development as there was uprising against him in Kashmir. To make the state modern and share power he constituted the “Praja Sabha”. Elections was held and Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was elected to Praja Sabha. Probably it was its first and last session . Sh. Managt Ram Bhagat made a very lengthy and strong statements against the communal elements. This was appreciated and then Maharaja called him to his palace to pat him. Next day he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to Development Minister.

India became independent and the country faced partition. People started migrating from both sides. Pakistan which came into being a new country attached the state. People both Hindus and Muslims faced lot of problem. Ladies were raped , kidnapped and children became orphan. To face the problem rehabilitation work was started to take care of the victims. Sh. Managt Ram Bhagat who was by that time well known personality to Sheikh Abdullah who taken over the intern government in the state asked Sh. Bhagat to handle the programme of rescue and restoration of women and children was vigorously taken up.

Sheikh Abdullah got passed big landed Abolition Act and Debt Relief. Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was appointed as Chairman Debt Relief organization on 5-5-1948. Simultaneously he was inducted into judicial service. He served as such at Poonch, Samba, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar etc. He also worked as Sub-Registrar and Munsif Magistrate.

Bakshi Ghulam Mohd. had by then taken over the reign of the State. A new organization for the welfare o the Scheduled Castes and other Backward Classes was setup. Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was appointed as Secretary to Government incharge of this department in 1957. In the year 1958 All India Service Act was extended to the State. 18 officers were appointed as IAS officers Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was among one of them. Then he served in various capacities as Collector, Dy. Commissioner, Secretary to Government in different departments like Social Welfare, Agriculture, Revenue and so on.

He also served as Labour Commissioner and finally retired from the active service as Commissioner Secretary to Government on 30-6-1979. thereafter, his services were utilized as Secretary /Member Anti-Corruption Tribunal, till 30-6-1982. Sh. Bhagat was always cool and calm even in odd circumstances. He was a man with firm belief and strong will. He breathed his last on 9-10-1988 at the age of 67 yrs.

He was the first Gazatted Officer and IAS Officer in the state from Scheduled Caste. His services for the welfare of down trodden shall always be remembered. It is his efforts that Broacher on Reservation was issued and Roaster system was introduced.

Regards
sudhir kumar
sr correspondent
Kashmir Times

यह आलेख एक मासिक पत्रिका ''कबीर प्रचार'', 25 जून, 2015 (श्री विजय कुमार भगत, अरनिया, जम्मू द्वारा प्रकाशित) में भी छपा है जिसके साथ श्री मंगतराम भगत का फोटो भी दिया गया है. फोटो साफ नहीं है तथापि उसे यहाँ दिया जा रहा है. साफ फोटो की प्रतीक्षा है.


एक फेसबुक मित्र श्री हंसराज फोंसा ने श्री मंगत राम, आईएएस के बारे में अपनी नेरेशन दी है जिसे नीचे पेस्ट कर रहा हूँ-

"Continued from my previous article First SCs Of J&K
           
Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat Ist IAS From S/S’s of J&K(1921-1988 ):-Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat a very pleasing, cool and noble personality was born on 09-06-1921 in a small village Atalgarh of Bhadherwah town in Doda District in a Dalit family of Meghalias Bhagat. His father Sh. Mani Karan was a small Farmer. After his schooling from Bhaderwah and joined S.P College Srinagar and M.A L.L.B. from Aligarh Muslim University  On shifting to Jammu he found Dalits devoid of any well-founded Socio-political movement/ organization except Megh Mandal sponsored by Bhagat Daulat, Bhagat Chajju Ram and others in R, S. Pura area. Although the well attended united Harijan public meeting at Kir Pind Ratian shaken the entire Hindu Samaj. The superstitious upper caste Hindus were in a fix whether to give human rights to Harijans or loose them permanently. Harijans have shown their eagerness to join a religion which treats them equal. Since Megh Mandal represented only one Caste with influence in RSPura, he persuaded its leaders to enlarge its scope and include all other Harijan communities. So Harijan Mandal was formed and he was made its secretary. It shook the un-equality and untouchability roots. Harijan Mandal’s popularity won it one seat in the Legislature Assembly making Babu Milkhi Ram as M.L.A. Anti- cow slaughter and Roti movement including Harijan movement for their rights in Jammu and Muslim Conference headed by Sheikh Abdullah in Kashmir region were forcing the government to initiate people-friendly policies.  
Maharaja Hari Singh constituted in 1938 the “Praja Sabha”. Elections were held and Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was elected to Praja Saba.Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat’s tirade against the communal elements was appreciated by the Maharaja and appointed him as Parliamentary secretary to Development Minister. With the partition of country and efflux of millions from Pakistan to India and vice-versa, massive rehabilitation work was started.  With the exit of Maharaja Hari Singh and formation of an interim government by Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah, Sh. Bhagat was made in-charge of to handling the programme of rescue and restoration.
Sheikh Abdullah got passed Big Landed Property  Abolition Act and Debt Relief Board. Sh. Mangat Ram Bhagat was appointed as chairman Debt Conciliation Board and worked at Samba, Doda, KIshtwar, Poonch and Bhadarwah up to 30-11-1955. He was inducted into judicial Service and served as Munsif Magistrate Ist class Samba from Dec 1956 to August 1957. Later Sh. Magat Ram Bhagat was appointed Secretary to Govt. welfare of scheduled castes and other backward classes. Bhagat Mangat Ram was inducted in IAS in 1958. Thereafter he served in many departments as secretary to the government, Deputy Commissioner Leh (Ladakh), Labour commissioner, Commissioner for Redressal of Public Grievances from Oct. 1973 to May 1977, finally retired from active Govt. service on 30-06-1979 He also served as Secretary/ Member Anti-Corruption Tribunal till 30-06-1982. He breathed his last on 09-10-1988 at the age of 67 years. His services for the welfare of the downtrodden shall always be remembered including the formulation of the Reservation Rules in the J&K State.

Tilak Raj Arti First SC Distt and Session Judge in J&K:-  Shri T.R. Atri a renowned judge for his impartiality, hard-working, honesty and dedication to his duties was born at village Talab Datta near Bri Brahmana in Tehsil Samba of then-District Jammu
( now Samba) on 27th July 1928. His father revered Shri Sukh Ram was Ravidasia by caste was a poor farmer. Shri Atri was admitted in his nearby  Birpur village Government school from where he passed his Middle standard. Thereafter he was admitted in S.R.M.L High School Parade ground Jammu and he passed his Matriculation Examination with high merits. He was admitted in the Prince of Wales College(Now G.G.M. Sc. College) Jammu. During his studies at Jammu, he was living in the  Guru Ravidas Mandir Upper Gumat Jammu. After his graduation from Punjab University Lahore, he got admission in the Law College Jalander and successfully completed his LL.B again from Punjab University in 1954. He was enrolled as Pleader in the J&K High Court on 24th September 1954. He got employment in J&K Government as Police Prosecutor and served in Samba JMIC Court for two years. On 1st November, 1957was appointed as Munsiff and posted in JMIC Court Basoli. Due to his seniority and work record of excellence, he got promoted as Sub judge and served at various places including Jammu. He also served in State Anti-Corruption organization as Judge Anti Corruption. He was elevated as District and Session Judge and served at Kathua and Poonch.
      On the change of guards in the State under Indra Gandhi- Sheikh Accord 1975, Sher-i- Kashmir Sheikh Mohd Abdullah took over as the Chief Minister on 25th Feb 1975. Sheikh Sahib desired Shri T.R. Atri to join his cabinet. So Shri Atri opted for pre-Retirement and joined as Minister of State having departments of Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Irrigation and Flood Control etc. He was subsequently nominated as M.L.C.
    Shri T.R. Atri ‘s marriage was ceremonised with Shrimati Shakuntala Devi born in a prominent family of Jalander The Atri couple was blessed with Six sons two of whom are settled in the USA. His eldest son Mr.Vijay Atri served in judicial services. Shri T.R. Atri’s another son Shri Ashok  Kumar Atri is an IPS officer and is serving as DIG in the State Police. Shrimati Shakuntala Devi died a premature death, so Shri Atri re-married Shrimati Kamla Devi of Jammu.
 Shri T.R. Atri left his mortal frame on the night of 14th-15th February 2010 after a brief illness. He breathed his last in GMC Jammu where he was admitted for treatment when he was 82 years of age. Shri Atri a known jolly honest person, had a pleasant personality with complete faith in Sant Mat so lived complete vegetarian life and abstained from all types of intoxicants. Shri T.R. Atri earned respects and admiration from people of all shades, ranks and religious affiliations. 
     Dr Gian Chand ChagdalFirst SC Director ISM, J&K.: -A disciplined and qualified person Dr Gian Chand Chagdal, son of Shanku Ram, was born on 04-01-1946, at village Amowal tehsil Samba District Jammu A/P resident of House No 95, Sector 5, Nanak Nagar, Jammu 
Dr Gian Chand Chagdal attained his early education from a Govern¬ment High School, Guraha slathian from where he passed his Matriculation Examination and thereafter joined the Gov¬ernment Gandhi Memorial Science College, Jammu for higher education and did his graduation. After that, he did BAMS from Govt. Ayurvedic College Jammu in 1969.
After qualifying the de¬gree in BAMS, he joined the  J&K Government Health service in 1971 to serve the society. He worked with full dedication and devotion and subse¬quently got promotion in the department. He was promoted as Assistant Dis¬trict Medical Officer in 1989 and posted at Udhampur He performed his duties with a full sense of dedication. Within 5 years, he was promoted as Assistant Director, Jammu in 1994. His performance was appreciated by all his seniors as well as juniors and public at large. In1998 Dr Gian Chand was promoted as Deputy Director, ISM Jammu. He was elevated to the post of Director, ISM, J&K in 2000. 
Entering the marital life, his marriage was solemnized with Shrimati Krishna Kumari in 1969 of Nai Basti Jammu. The couples led a happy life and were blessed with one son and three daughters. Their children are settled in life with his son Shri Sunil working in ISM Departement. 
He was a God-fearing per¬son and co-operative to even a stranger. Believer of a non-violence arid peace, he always promoted all these traits in youngsters.
Dr Gian Chand was due to retire on 31st January 2004, but destiny plucked him before and he passed away on September 2,2003 af¬ter a prolonged illness. He was 57. Destiny has its own style to work and so picked up a gem from this world, perhaps his services might be needed in heaven more, as per tributes to his father said his son Sunil.

Jagat Ram Aryan the ever First SC Member Assembly in J&K: - Bhagat Jagat Ram Aryan was born on 15th May 1908 in the house of Shri Suraj Ram Bhagat at Matta, Kishatwar in a Scheduled caste family of Bhagat Sub Caste. In his childhood he depicted signs of being a great visionary, Child Jagat Ram started his education from the village school and later earned the distinction of being First Scheduled Caste in the J&K state to qualify as a Science Graduate from the Lahore University. By kow Jagat Ram had learned many languages namely English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Dogri, Kashmiri besides Kishwari local dialect. This son of the soil despite qualified to get high ranking Government job took to social cause of alienation the suffering of his brethren. So Aryan equipped with higher qualifications and pains for the suffering Scheduled Castes (Then called Harijans) started his political struggle right in 1933 but was jailed by His Highness’s government said to very kind to Harijan problems. He was again jailed in 1963 for his crusade for his people. He was nominated in the Praja Sabha (Assembly) in 1934, where he worked for 12 years. He was elected to State Assembly from Bhaderwah Constituency 1967-72.  In his hard-hitting speech in Praja Sabha on 21st September 1838, he summed up the pitiable conditions of Harijans then saying they were not allowed to draw water from wells, water tanks, and admission to school denied. If a Harijan student ventured to get admission in a government school, he was discriminated, made to sit separately saying his mixing with other students is sure to pollute Higher Caste Students. While continuing his speech he said “We are precluded from using a single drop of water which is given by God. We demand our rights but do not bg as a charity. Civilized governments side with the poor, but the Government here helps the oppressors. The oppressors here are so cruel that our children are thirsty for a single drop of water. They follow Manusmriti, which was written by a mad man. This book has been the cause of our degradation. Our women have to comb the Jungles in search of water”------------ The writer met Arayan Sabib at Srinagar a number of times and found him ever ready to take fight for the just cause of Scheduled Castes with anybody may be politically or bureaucratically 
Highly placed. He used to say compare his legislative work with any other legislator, his contribution was supreme. He wrote a number of valued books. This crusader for the rights of downtrodden breathed his last on 25th September 1988. He shall be long remembered for his immense contributions for Dalit Samaj in particular and general masses in general.
Request:- Time, space and authentic data availability has constrained me to write here only briefly and many persons might have been left. I am grateful to all those friends, who contributed data for this article. Space does not allow me to mention their names and address here.  Any mistake coming into reader’s notice may be communicated to me for further updating and correcting in the near future.
        I request to all those who can further enrich the database to convey the same to me on
 E-Mail:-zenithrs@yahoo.com and hrphonsa@gmail.com on my postal address H No 63 Sector 05 Nanak Nagar Jammu 180004 Contact 09419134060. 
I may venture to write a book “Who is who” for SC personalities of J&K exclusively if adequate Data becomes available." 

Er H.R. Phonsa

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