THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Since October 27 – 2025, Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram (Amritsar) has been in news and has gained worldwide attention. This Ashram has resulted following a lot of struggles and strives of the Valmikian brotherhood. The land on which it has been built was under the Hindu Mahant control. It came to light following strenuous research by Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji.
Until it was freed from the Mahants nothing could be built on it. The Mahants were reluctant to have any discussion so only option left was to seek justice through the courts. The proceedings against the Mahants were filed in the Indian Courts but through stay orders they kept prolonging it. Then Bhagwan Valmiki International Sabha (UK) took it on board and succeeded in reclaiming it back from the Hindu Mahants.
In 1970 Guru Gian Nath Ji first time came to England. At that time Guru Gian Nath Ashram was already on going but the area on which late Sardar Prakash Singh Badal has built Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram was still under the Mahant control. In Guru Gian Nath Ashram, in late 1960’s, MLA Jaswant Rai built a Saraan (a Hall) to accommodate the devotees coming to Guru Gian Nath Ashram. He used Government fund for this. The Mahants came to know about this and also wanted to use it. This developed into an argument within Guru Gian Nath Ji and the mahants.
The argument got intense and the Mahants took the matter to the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar (Koomvar Surinder Singh Vedi). The Police got involved. Guru Gian Nath Ji was taken to the Police Station. The news reached England that Guru Gian Nath Ji has been jailed. An action committee was formed. The Valmikian and the Ravidassia brotherhood united to face the cause.
I was selected to do the correspondence and the matter was arbitrated within a very short time. Until this area was freed from the Mahants, nothing could be built on it. Following a long trail through the courts, the case was finally sealed by the Supreme Court.
Now, the colour of the flag is in question. It seems everyone is by passing Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji. In 1930’s, he was the leader of the Valmikian Community. He was the one who with the help of his associates was fighting for the Valmikian Rights. Out of 90 years of his life, he has spent 40 years behind bars because he was representing the Valmikian issues. On the inauguration of Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Amritsar, The Government representatives and the Valmikian activists praised Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji for his hard research through which this holy place has come to light.
He was raising protests to stop Bhagwan Valmiki Ji being presented as a Decoit. He firmly believed that until the word Dacoit is stopped, the Valmikians can never progress. For this, he studied 175 religious scriptures and with the gained knowledge he fought against the allegations. The Arya Samaj was highly impressed by his knowledge and honoured him the title of Pandit. Since then he has been known as Pandit Bakshi Ram.
Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s devotion for Bhagwan Valmiki Ji and the Valmikian Community cannot be forgotten. He was in Tihar Jail when his daughter Vidhya deceased. The Authourities gave him permission for the funeral but he turned it down. His explanation was that for him all the Valmikian daughters are just like his own daughter Vidhya. Gurdass Ram Alam, is a very well-known poet. He was also very close to Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji. In his poetry, he has put the pain, he and Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji were enduring at that time through casteism. His poetry contains the pain that millions were going through during the Brahmin reign.
Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji following his thorough research declared that in the ancient times, the red flags displaying Bow and Arrow use to fly on the Bhagwan Valmiki Ashrams. Pandit Bakshi Ram has written a few books in which he has listed about his experience and his discoveries. It must not be forgotten that Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji and Guru Gian Nath Ji have both worked together to start the fight against the Mahants who had this land in their possession where the new Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram is.
My late father Shree H. R. Teji sahib was also a true devotee of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji and held high regard for Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji.
My father was very knowledgeable person and I have gained a lot of knowledge from him. He was born in 1920 and myself in 1946. Since childhood I have admired his aspiration. Unfortunately, he left us in 1994 aged 74. Since his departure, I have done my utmost to keep his wishes alive. My views are based on my own experience that I have gained through addressing of the Valmikian issues for many years.
Through my closeness to my dad, I have managed to learn a lot about Bhagwan Valmiki Ji and the historical development of the Valmikian Community through the ancient times. Following, Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s research the Valmikians are now in possession of their own historical record. It hurts to say that the Valmikians have failed to give the respect that he deserves. Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s Birth Anniversary in Bedford (UK) has been celebrated for many years and will remain same.
Jai Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Ki to all.
