SAMAJ WEEKLY UK
Southall, London – The Global Ambedkar organised a commemorative programme at the Ambedkar Centre in Southall, London, to mark the birth anniversary of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj and to observe the historic Reservation Day, commemorating the landmark introduction of reservations for the Bahujan community on 26 July 1902.
The event brought together members of the community, scholars, and social justice advocates to pay tribute to one of India’s foremost social reformers. Participants offered floral tributes before the portrait of Rajarshi Shahu Ji Maharaj and reflected on his enduring contributions to the advancement of social justice, equality, and education.
Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj is widely recognised as one of the pioneering architects of social reform in modern India. A visionary ruler, he believed that education was the most powerful instrument for social transformation and introduced a range of progressive measures, including the establishment of hostels, schools, and welfare programmes for historically marginalised, oppressed, and disadvantaged communities.
A defining milestone in his legacy came on 26 July 1902, when he introduced 50 per cent reservation for backward classes in the princely State of Kolhapur. This historic decision is regarded as one of the earliest institutional measures to promote social justice, equitable representation, and equal opportunities for disadvantaged communities, laying an important foundation for affirmative action in India.
The programme was attended by Dr Shrikant Borkar, Dr Harbans Virdi, Gurdeep Singh, Shekhar Bodhkar, Bharat Goyal, Akshay Sagar, Naveen Bondade, Chaman Lal Virdi, Ranjeet Bauddh, Mr Avitaaz, Balwinder Singh, Dr Arun Mahananda, Vinod Sidhu, Piyush Parmar, Yogesh Pawar, Prachi Wasnik, and Ravi Raj, along with members of the wider community.
Speaking on the occasion, representatives of The Global Ambedkar reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting the values championed by Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj, including equality, fraternity, education, and social justice. Participants collectively pledged to continue disseminating his ideals and inspiring future generations to uphold these principles in their personal and public lives.
The Global Ambedkar emphasised that commemorative events of this nature play a vital role in connecting younger generations with the history of social justice movements while preserving and promoting the enduring legacy of great social reformers. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to organising educational and community initiatives that foster awareness, inclusivity, and democratic values within society.
