Dhanpat Rattu, a staunch Ambedkarite and devout Buddhist passed away on 27 October, 2025 after a short illness. He devoted whole of his life in spreading Babasaheb’s mission. His untimely demise has left a great vacuum in the Ambedkar movement. His passing away is a great loss not only to the family but also to the Ambedkarite and Buddhist fraternity. He was an inspirational figure He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. (Arun Kumar, Bedford)
THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Arun Kumar, Bedford
Dhanpat Ram Rattu was born on 3 March, 1944 in the village Todarpur, District Hoshiarpur in Punjab. He lost his father in his childhood. He was looked after by his uncle. He had his basic education in local school. He passed his matriculation in 1959 and joined teaching course. He came to UK on 14 October, 1963 and settled in Bedford. After a month of his arrival, he started work at the brickyard and worked there for 10 years. Later on, he joined an American electronic firm, Texas Instruments and retired from there after 34 years of service. His wife, Surjit joined him in 1965.
Along with late Chanan Chahal, he was instrumental in setting up of Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha, Bedford in 1969 and served in the managing committee for a number of years. He played a major role in buying and refurbishing Guru Ravidass Bhavan, Queens Park in Bedford. He was quite influenced by the life and works of Dr. Ambedkar and joined the Ambedkar movement. He became a member of the Republican Group of Great Britain and supported the activities of Republican Party of India. He was one of the founder members of Bheem Association (now Ambedkar Mission Society, Bedford). Dhanpat served this organisation in various capacities such as General Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President. He was a Punjabi writer and his articles were published in the Punjabi newspapers. Ambedkar Mission Society brought out small pamphlets on the life and work of Dr Ambedkar and Guru Ravidassji. Rattuji had Punjabi type writer and he typed on old stencils and made copies of these pamphlets.
In 1976, a local newspaper covered a story about the various religious groups in Bedford. Discussing about Hinduism, one of the interviewee said that untouchables were sub humans and created for the service of Upper castes. Along with Chanan Chahal, Rattuji campaigned against that person and consequently, he had to apologise for his comments. Dhanpat converted to Buddhism in 1989 and this conversion was covered by ‘The Guardian’ newspaper. He raised the issue of caste discrimination in the UK. He participated in the protest marches whether they were against the atrocities on Dalits or for including caste into the British legislation.
Under the Chairmanship of Chanan Chahal, Kirti Publication Trust was set up in the UK in 1984 to bring out a Punjabi periodical, ‘Kirti Weekly’ from Jallandhar. Rattuji was one of the founder Trustees that published this weekly for three years.
He was also one of the founding members of the Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations, UK (FABO UK) established in 1986 and served as a General Secretary. He fully supported and served in the Ambedkar Centenary Celebration Committee ACCC). He was so much devoted to the Ambedkar Mission that during the initial years of FABO UK and ACCC, most of the meetings were held at his house. In spite of his young children, lunch for 15-20 people was provided by his family. He visited many countries to attend seminars and conferences.
He played a pivotal role in setting up of Punjab Buddhist Society, UK and made a great contribution in the establishment and construction of Takshila Maha Buddha Vihara at Ludhiana, Punjab. He became Buddhist monk for two months and spend one month in Thailand. He was also a member of Proboudh Bharat Foundation, Punjab that arranges annual competition amongst students on the writings of Dr Ambedkar, Guru Ravidass and other Bahujan icons. Thousands of students had participated and the vast amount was given as prize money to the successful students.
Currently he was the Treasurer of Ambedkar Mission Society, Bedford and Executive member of FABO UK.
