Sardar Buta Singh: The illuminator of million lives

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) (By-Manvinder Singh): There are very few politicians in Indian political history who have left their indelible imprint in the vast, rubble rousing and challenging field of politics by changing the lives of people positively and former Union Minister Sardar Buta Singh was definitely one of them.

A true mass leader Sardar Buta Singh illuminated millions of lives by using the power of his pen and ensuring jobs to several lakh families especially from the weaker and underprivileged sections. These jobs not only helped in steering millions of them from the maladies of poverty and backwardness but also helped in transforming their lives to live with dignity and pride. Such an example of a leader changing the fortunes of lakhs of people during his political career are rare and hardly find any parallel in the contemporary history of the country.

Interestingly despite being a very powerful politician, who was at the helm of affairs for six long decades, Sardar Buta Singh never forgot his roots or his people. In a political career spanning over more than six decades, Sardar Buta Singh served as a Union Minister in over 17 departments including Home, Railways, Communications, Sports and others. He made it sure that in whichever department he serves, a special recruitment drive was started for the youth especially from the weaker sections so that they become an active partner in the socio-economic development of the country.

His term as Deputy Railway Minister of India during the regime of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is best remembered for a massive recruitment drive in which thousands of youth were recruited in the Railway department in a single go. It opened new avenues for the youth of the weaker sections as their leader had ensured that their self esteem was enhanced and their living standard was upscaled. This was just the beginning of a long and distinguished political career which marked the real service of humanity and the country with missionary zeal and commitment.

In the coming years when Sardar Buta Singh emerged more powerful during Indira and Rajiv Gandhi regimes he ensured that more and more avenues were opened for SC youth by providing government jobs to them. It is an undeniable truth that this son of Punjab, scaled new heights in his life with his vision and dedication for the country, which continues to inspire youth even today. Sardar Buta Singh was an eight time parliamentarian who had represented Punjab and Rajasthan in Lok Sabha, during 1962, 1967, 1971, 1980, 1985, 1992, 1998 and 1999, four times each.

He was elected from Punjab in 1962, 1967, 1971 and 1980 whereas he represented Jalore Lok Sabha constituency of Rajasthan in 1984, 1992, 1998 and 1999. The popularity of this iconic leader can be well judged from the fact that Sardar Buta Singh has a distinction of winning a Lok Sabha seat with highest margin of votes as he registered an impressive win from Jalore in 1998 by emerging victorious with nearly 1.66 lakh votes as an independent candidate. Apart from being a Member of Lok Sabha for a record eight times, Sardar Buta Singh also served as Governor of Bihar, and later as Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

But his early life was strewn with thorns, as born in 1934 into a poor family at a village in Jalandhar district of Punjab, where even two meals a day were difficult, Sardar Buta Singh pursued education with great hardship. He performed sewa as a granthi in a gurdwara, doing daily wage labor, and later becoming a journalist, before dedicating his life to the nation. None would have ever realized that this ordinary Mazhbi Sikh boy who has acquired a degree in Master’s of Art will rise from extreme poverty to become a towering figure in national politics.

Inspired by Dr. BR Ambedkar and their principles of “Educate, Organize, Agitate,” Sardar Buta Singh carved a path of success through sheer hard work and determination. But it was not as easy as it seems and very few can even imagine the extent of his struggles due to which despite reaching great heights, he never forgot his roots or his community. Though Sardar Buta Singh has been often labeled as a Dalit leader but in reality he was the leader of humanity and was equally revered by all the religions and communities for his truly secular and progressive outlook.

The immense contribution of Sardar Buta Singh in every field is highly laudable and hardly finds any parallel in the contemporary political history of the country. His popularity and presence was not only confined to one state or region but it was pan Indian and right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to the northeastern states, he was widely respected and loved- an achievement which is very rare for any political leader in contemporary India. Sardar Buta Singh who had himself faced the discrimination due to the deep rooted caste system prevalent in the society, vehemently opposed untouchability and made every effort to ensure that SCs do not live with stigma of exploitation.

Sardar Buta Singh used his office, vision, approach and proximity to political leadership, across the political lines, for abolishing this blot from the society. It was certainly a herculean task but due to his concerted efforts that the process for framing The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Prohibition of Manual Scavengers and construction of dry latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 and others. These Acts are now acting as a watchdog for safeguarding the interests of the weaker and underprivileged sections of the society by checking their exploitation and empowering them in the structure of society.

Undoubtedly, raising the living standard of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society besides safeguarding their rights and empowering them was the biggest contribution of Sardar Buta Singh. It is an undeniable truth that this son of Punjab, who rose from a poor and humble background, shone like a pole star in the country’s political arena and his life along with his struggle will always inspire young people towards hard work, service, and dedication. Though he hailed from a humble family, his outstanding contribution has brought him in the league of top Indian leaders.

A true Congressman Sardar Buta Singh was the only General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee under the leadership of Indira Gandhi following the defeat of the party in the 1977 Janta wave. He also played a crucial role in securing the present ‘hand’ symbol for the party from the Election Commission after the earlier ‘cow and calf’ symbol was frozen. Sardar Buta was at a time one man army of Mrs Gandhi as he was office incharge cum personal assistant cum driver cum Gun Man of the former Prime Minister from 1977-79.

Being a prominent SC leader, Sardar Buta Singh had never asked for a ticket after 1971, instead, the party itself decided where he should contest and interestingly he ensured that the party wins even in hostile circumstances. That is why during the turbulent times of 1980s in Punjab, the party fielded him from Jalore, located on the Rajasthan- Gujarat border, the seat which he represented four times. Sardar Buta Singh was probably the last voice of the weaker and underprivileged section, which firmly believed that Dr BR Ambedkar’s dream of Dalit empowerment can be fulfilled only through political power.

Sardar ji as he is popularly known amongst his followers was Union Minister of key departments of Government of India including Home, Agriculture, Sports , Urban Development, Food and Civil Supplies, Railways, Communication and others. Despite being the most powerful and sought after Congress leader in Congress during times of Nehru-Gandhi dynasty he never entered Parliament through Rajya Sabha as he was votary of the fact that a politician must be accountable to public for which verdict from people was must. Being the Chairman of Asian Games Organizing Committee Sardar Buta Singh brought laurels for the country by successfully organizing 1982 Asian Games at New Delhi.

The flawless arrangements made by him raised his stature at the international level and his administrative and organizing skills were lauded by one and all. Similarly after the killing of Mrs Gandhi in 1984 Sardar Buta Singh as Union Home Minister was instrumental in carving out an elite force in the form of National Security Guards (NSG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) for security of VVIPs including the Prime Minister. Throughout his life Sardar Buta Singh not only worked for Dalit empowerment through ensuring government jobs for his brethren but he also assured that Dalit movement gets a fillip with his support may be in clandestine manner.

Infact Sardar Buta Singh’s struggle is a real beacon of hope for the youth as it teaches everyone that no matter how adverse the circumstances are, determination can help a person achieve anything. Till his last breath, Sardar Buta Singh worked relentlessly for the welfare and upliftment of the poor and downtrodden sections of the society. The life of a legendary mass leader will inspire humanity to move forward with perseverance and purpose.

Manvinder Singh

The writer is Joint Director in Information and Public Relations Department Punjab

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