Uttar Pradesh Congress on Saturday (April 4, 2026) in Lucknow organised a seminar ahead of the birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, with leaders pointing towards the efforts of the late leader and Congress party to secure justice for the downtrodden and underprivileged. Jagjivan Ram’s daughter and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar addressed the gathering as chief guest. During the function, U.P. Congress also felicitated current and former Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) belonging to the Scheduled Castes, as well as individuals from the Scheduled Castes who have performed exemplary work in social service.
“His primary focus was his involvement in the freedom struggle, his role in guiding the Dalits and igniting patriotism in the hearts of the deprived and Dalits. As the country’s Agriculture Minister, he championed the Green Revolution, a scheme to eradicate hunger in India, and emphasised the adoption of improved seeds, chemical fertilisers, and modern agricultural techniques, leading to a significant increase in food grain production. He worked under the Congress to secure justice for the downtrodden and underprivileged,” said Ms. Kumar, adding untouchability and discrimination are entwined like creepers around the tree of society, constantly weakening it, urging people to rise above this and focus on the country’s development.
“Babu Jagjivan Ram worked to secure justice for the downtrodden and underprivileged, for which we pay our respects today. Today, on the eve of his birth anniversary, we pledge to follow Babu Jagjivan Ram’s ideals and play our part in the development of the country and society. We all need to work together, and if we do so, the Congress Party’s victory in the 2027 elections is certain. We are witnessing the atrocities of highest kind against SCs, and every section of the society under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government,” said Ajay Rai, Uttar Pradesh Congress President.
Mr. Rai, added the Congress is the only party in the country which works for the downtrodden and fights for inclusive, pluralistic idea of India. The seminar on Jagjivan Ram and his contribution is seen as yet another effort by Congress to make an outreach to Dalit population in the state which is going to polls early next year with leaders highlighting the Dalit leadership in the Congress era.
Published – April 05, 2026 03:40 am IST


