Ram Ekbal Singh Warsi

Ram Ekbal Singh Warsi (c. 1922 – 10 October 2016), also spelled Ram Iqbal Worsi, was an Indian freedom fighter, social thinker from Bhojpur, Bihar. Warsi was the name of his native village, which he added to his last name.[1]

Biography

Ram Eqbal worked in Rohtas Group of Industries as a manual worker, and became an activist for Indian Independence in 1938.[2] In 1942, he participated in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned, where he met socialist leaders Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.[3] He joined Subash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army in 1943.[2]

Socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia had named Warsi as Gandhi of Piro (Piro ke Gandhi) in 1956, for his strong socialist views.[4][5]

He was elected an MLA from Piro (now named Tarari) constituency on a ticket from Samyukta Socialist Party in 1969.[4][6] He represented the constituency in Bihar Legislative Assembly till 1972.[6]

He left politics in 1972, but continued speaking for the marginalized and the poor.[7]

He didn't contest elections after 1969, finding the political system dishonest.[2]

He refused to accept the pension he was sanctioned, as an MLA or as a freedom fighter.[2][8] He said: “Accepting pension for trying to liberate one’s home is a sin. And taking pension for serving people, as their elected representative, is a bigger sin,”[2] Warsi lived his last few years in a run-down home in Rohtas,[2][5] refused offers to contest more elections. His family had difficulty in making ends meet.[2][8]

Death

Warsi died in Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS), Patna at the age of 94 years on 10 October 2016.[4][9]

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in his tribute said Warsi's "contribution in promoting socialist movement in Bihar would never be forgotten."[9]

References
  1. Hindustan, Live. "Freedom fighter of Bihar died today morning". Live Hindustan. Hindustan Times Hindi paper. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  2. "The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Warsi's different world". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  3. "Tributes pour in for 'Gandhi of Ara'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  4. "Socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi dead". India Today. 10 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  5. "बोले 'शाहाबाद के गांधी', आज की सरकार दमन करना जानती है, समाज बनाना नहीं". Eenadu English Portal. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  6. "'Gandhi of Piro' Ram Iqbal Worsi passes away at 94". Indian Express. 10 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  7. "Former MLA Ram Ekbal Warsi dies in Patna". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  8. The, Telegraph (September 2010). "PMO turns down CM's Netaji plea". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  9. Post, Cobra (10 October 2016). "Tearful adieu to freedom fighter and Socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi". Cobrapost. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
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