The Valmikian Neta – Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji
(2024)
-Mitej Teji
(THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT, UK)- On the12th September 2024 falls Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s 122nd Birth Anniversary. He was born on 12th September 1902 and sadly passed away on the 26th November 1992.
During his lifetime, Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji was a highly respected figure and still is in the Valmikian community. He was a close associate of Subash Chander Bose and Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar. In Punjab he conveyed Dr Ambedkar’s messages into the remote areas. He held high respect for Baba Sahib Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. They maintained a close contact.
In some areas, the messengers sent by Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji came under attack and deaths are on the record. He was known as the NETA (meaning the leader) of the Valmikian community. He stood in support of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
His closeness with Dr. Ambedkar and Subash Chander Bose plus his devotion towards welfare of the trodden down Communities was noticed by the Indian Government.
On the 25th celebration of the Indian Independence, late Mrs. Indira Gandhi honored Pandit Bakshi Ram for his services. He had also received 1992 -1993 Bharat Rattan – Baba Sahib Dr. B. R. Ambedkar – National Award from the Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy.
There are similarities in the upbringing of Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji and Dr. Ambedkar Ji. They were both born in very poor families. Dr. Ambedkar sahib used a paraffin lamp for his study and Pandit Ji used a deepak. They both studied at night.
Dr. Ambedkar Ji studied law whereas Pandit Ji went into religious studies to bring back pride and dignity of the Aadi-vasis (the natives of India). For this purpose he studied 175 scriptures.
They have both put a lot of effort to free deprived people from the chains of caste system laid by the Brahmin Organizations but unfortunately it seems their efforts have failed because the caste difference is still intact all around in India and is rising since BJP’s take over in 2014.
Dr Ambedkar Ji, has drafted the Indian constitution and India was heading to become a super power but regretfully, under reigning Government all has changed. The progress has slowed down and hatred towards the lower end of the society has increased. The Constitution is under attack.
Through Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s effort, pride and dignity for the Valmikian Community in Punjab has prevailed. Efforts by him and Babu Mangu Ram Ji have opened doors for the Valmikian and Ravi Dassia communities from Punjab to travel abroad.
Following his extensive research and in the year 1920, Pandit Bakshi Ji voiced for repossession of the area where Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram in Amritsar is present. He was jailed and this raised a lot of attention towards this historical place where Sita Ji and her children Luv and Kush had spent a good part of their lives. At that time, it was under Brahmin control.
Following his call and through contribution of Guru Gian Nath Ji, Bhagwan Valmiki Central Sabha U.K. and with participation of the Valmikian Sabhas in Punjab, has finally resulted in building of Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram by Chief Minister of Punjab Late Sardar Prakash Singh Badal.
By building this Mandir, the Punjab Government has set an example. Since India’s Independence, various Governments have taken control but have failed to give any deliberation to the Valmikian issues. The generosity shown by the Punjab Government is appreciated not just by the Valmikians in Punjab but also by all living abroad.
On the opening of the Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir in Amritsar, the Government Officials highly praised Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji that his research has been the key factor to this achievement. If he had not researched then it is quite likely that this holy place would have been under someone else’s control. Until his research, the Valmikian community had no knowledge about this historical place.
Pundit Bakshi Ram Ji and Dr. Ambedkar Ji have both put endless efforts to improve conditions for the deprived people. At one stage Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Ji and Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia Ji all worked as one unit. They have set examples and they should be followed. It must not be forgotten that because of their sacrifices that the Aadi-Vaasi are present today all around the world.
Shree Gurdas Ram Alam Ji, a highly famous poet of Punjab was very close to Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji. His closeness to Pandit Bakshi Ram had helped him to understand about sufferings experienced by the deprived people and he suppressed them through his poetry. Even today his poetry is still highly ranked.
It must be remembered that Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji on his cremation was honored gun salute by the Government of India as final gratitude. In those days, he was hailed as Ambedkar of Punjab.
This should be taken into consideration that Bhagwan Valmiki Ji is a Godly figure for the Valmikian community. The followers should be referred as Valmikians and not as Valmikis.
Through the Yogvashishta Maha-Ramayana the name Valmiki has come upfront and now all the name plates on the new Mandirs are displaying Bhagwan Valmiki. Even the newly built Ashram in Amritsar is also displaying the name Bhagwan Valmiki and not Bhagwan Valmik.
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About 100 years ago it was written as Bhagwan Balmeek and the followers as Balmeeki. Then about 70 years ago it became Bhagwan Valmik and the followers started to be referred as Valmiki.
But now through Yogvashishta, the name Valmiki has come to light so the most appropriate name for the followers is the Valmikians and not the Valmikis. BHAGWAN VALMIKI IS THE GOD AND THE VALMIKIAN ARE HIS FOLLOWERS.
By Valmiki to Valmikis it only pluralizes it, like one Valmiki, two Valmikis. So serious deliberation needs to be given to this by the intellectuals.
Finally, Pandit Bakshi Ram Ji’s research is behind the dignity and pride of the Valmikians, they are enjoying today. From the bottom of my heart I salute to this savior sent by Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Maharaj.
Jai Bharat.
Mitej Teji
