Portfolio Activist

This critical biography, Portfolio Activist: Babu Jagjivan Ram’s Pursuit of Social Justice, offers a compelling exploration of the life and career of Babu Jagjivan Ram, a pioneering Dalit politician who navigated the complexities of mainstream politics while advocating for the rights of the marginalized. Jagjivan Ram’s remarkable journey marks a significant moment in Dalit politics, highlighting the potential for strategic engage­ment with the establishment to drive social change. By embracing Gandhi’s model of inter-class cooperation and leveraging his ministerial positions, Jagjivan Ram demonstrated the value of pragmatic politics in advancing social justice. As a seasoned statesman, he combined broad vision with practical judgment. He emerged as a fearless leader – not only for Dalits, but for all Indians.

In today’s context, where caste-based inequalities persist, revisiting Jagjivan Ram’s experiences and strategies can provide valuable insights for social justice activism. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of adaptability, resilience, and coalition-building in the pursuit of equality and justice. This biography aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of Jagjivan Ram’s life and work, and its relevance to ongoing discussions around social justice and politics in India. By examining his remarkable career, this study hopes to shed light on the evolution of Dalit politics and the role of exceptional individuals in shaping India’s social and political landscape.

Anil Kumar Sarkar is a professor of History at the University of Kalyani and a member of the West Bengal Heritage Commission. He has served as Babu Jagjivan Ram Chair Professor of Social Science at the University of Calcutta and is the editor of the Journal of People’s History and Culture. He is also the Director of the Garia Society for Studies of Marginal People in Kolkata. Sarkar has published over a hundred articles in reputable journals and has written and edited several books, including History of North Bengal: Colonial Ideology, Entrepreneurship, Society and Culture and Tribes of Sub-Himalayan Region: Meches, Rabhas, Totos and Garos. His current research focuses on Princely states, Ethnicity, Dalits, and Marginalised communities in India.