Dr Jaswant Rai Honoured at Azim Premji University for Research on Bahujan Heroes Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/April 16

Dr Jaswant Rai Honoured at Azim Premji University for Research on Bahujan Heroes
Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/April 16

Dr Jaswant Rai, Research Officer at the Office of the Language Department in Hoshiarpur, was honoured at Azim Premji University here during the Phule-Ambedkar Memorial Week programme organised by the Savitri Ambedkar Cultural Club. The recognition came for his research contributions on the movements of Bahujan heroes.
On the occasion, Dr Rai delivered the keynote address on the topic: “Babu Mangoo Ram Mugowalia’s Adi Dharma Movement in Punjab and Its Contribution to the Ambedkar Movement.”
The event was coordinated by Dr K Kalyani, Professor at Azim Premji University. Dr Rai highlighted that Ghadar warrior and founder of Adi Dharma, Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia, like Baba Saheb Ambedkar, endured oppression to gain early education. He went to America and joined the Ghadar Party. While bringing a ship loaded with arms from America to free his country, he was arrested. He escaped the gallows twice. After 16 years with the Ghadar Party, he returned to India. Here, to liberate marginalised people from social slavery, he established Adi Dharma on June 11-12, 1926. As the Adi Dharma Mission marks its 100th anniversary, evaluations of Babu Mangu Ram’s struggles and the achievements of the movement are underway. He is often called Punjab’s Ambedkar.
Dr Rai’s insights sparked a nearly hour-long dialogue with students and professors, who raised sharp questions. It was heartening to see the literary and historical awareness of students from across India pursuing graduation and master’s degrees—challenging stereotypes about youth in the internet age.
Concluding the programme, Dr Kalyani noted that Azim Premji University, a hub for diverse social and literary events, gained fresh insights into a major Punjabi fighter’s movement for the marginalised. The university plans more such programmes. Dr Rai received special honours from the university faculty and the Savitri Ambedkar Cultural Club.
Among those present were Dr Kamal Kerala, Dr Asim Siddiqui from Chhattisgarh, Dr Denba Parasanth from Hyderabad, students Roshan, Saurabh, Harshal, Periyar, Karan from Hoshiarpur, Satnam Singh from Sangrur, along with professors, students, and club members.