The forgotten revolutionary: Remembering V.P. Singh’s Ambedkarite legacy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat 

Former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh—better known as V.P. Singh—would have turned 95 today. Born on June 25, 1931, in Manda, Allahabad, he passed away in November 2008. Yet, his memory endures among admirers scattered across the globe, even without an organized political machinery to champion his cause.

While India’s Brahmanical elite has often venerated Jayaprakash Narayan for his role in the Emergency-era resistance, they have largely despised V.P. Singh. Why? Because his decisions reshaped Indian democracy in ways that profoundly empowered Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The Mandal revolution he set in motion has not only become mainstream but has forced every political party—regardless of their earlier criticism—to adopt his framework of social justice. He is rightly remembered as the "Mandal Messiah," but what is often overlooked is the depth of his engagement with the global Ambedkarite movement.

The mainstream archives often ignore the grassroots narratives that survive in personal letters, fading photographs, and the memories of individuals. One such custodian of history is Mr. Chakravarty Gautam, an ardent Ambedkarite based in London, with whom I had the privilege of staying at the Ambedkar Centre in Southall. Gautam ji, who migrated from Vyara in Gujarat to the UK in 1967, has been a pillar of the Ambedkarite Buddhist fraternity for over five decades. Before the Maharashtra government acquired 10, Henry Road, the Southall centre was the spiritual home for Ambedkarites worldwide.

During our conversations, Gautam ji shared rare photographs and intimate memories of V.P. Singh’s visits to the UK, offering a glimpse into the former Prime Minister’s character that official histories miss.

The Centenary Years and a Growing Movement

Between 1989 and 1992, as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth centenary approached, the Ambedkarite movement in the UK gained unprecedented momentum. The Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations (FABO) formed a committee to not only celebrate the occasion but also to challenge discrimination in all its forms—based on race, caste, or gender.

Events were held at prestigious venues, including the London School of Economics, Gray’s Inn, the Royal Commonwealth Hall, and both Houses of the British Parliament. Four volumes of souvenirs were produced, and exhibitions were hosted across UK libraries. It was during this period that V.P. Singh was invited to address these gatherings.

In India, V.P. Singh’s government declared Ambedkar’s birthday a national holiday, conferred the Bharat Ratna on him alongside Nelson Mandela, and installed his portrait in Parliament. He also formed the Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Centenary Celebration Committee, which included prominent Ambedkarites like Bhagwan Das, L.R. Balley, N.G. Uke, and V.T. Rajshekar. Chakravarty Gautam himself was named to this committee—a recognition of his tireless work in the UK.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan played a crucial role in connecting the Indian government with the diaspora Ambedkarites. While Sharad Yadav was another powerful minister in V.P. Singh’s cabinet, it was Paswan who remained closest to the Prime Minister, sharing a mutual respect that endured beyond their tenure.

A Bond Forged in Treatment and Trust

In 1998, V.P. Singh was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. His frequent visits to London for treatment became an opportunity for deeper engagement with the Ambedkarite community. He remained intellectually active even during dialysis, meeting scholars, activists, and artists. During these visits, Chakravarty Gautam became his unofficial host and point of contact.

Gautam ji recalls V.P. Singh as a man of extraordinary humility and honesty. He would refuse gifts unless allowed to pay for them—once declining a pair of expensive Italian shoes from Gautam ji, only accepting them on the condition he could purchase them. Unlike other politicians who traveled with heavy baggage and high demands, V.P. Singh was unassuming. He needed no special treatment, could sit or sleep anywhere, and never made his security a barrier to meeting people.

In 1991, V.P. Singh presented Gautam ji with the Bhim Ratna Centenary Award. Later, he gifted him a signed copy of his poetry collection, Ek Tukda Dharati, Ek Tukda Aakash, inscribed with the words: "Gautam ji ko sahsneh" (with affection). The book is dedicated to his wife, Sita Singh, with a poignant line that captures his ethos: "Sita ko, jo mere jindabad aur murdabad mein na abaad rahi na barbad"—dedicated to her, who remained neither established nor destroyed in my triumphs and defeats.

A Leader of Rare Integrity

What made V.P. Singh exceptional was his refusal to engage in backbiting—a rare trait in politics. He was a great listener, more inclined to hear than to lecture. He accepted differing viewpoints without rancor. His photography and poetry were not mere hobbies but expressions of a reflective mind.

Gautam ji fondly recalls an instance when he requested an appointment to meet the former PM. The reply was simple: "You don’t need an appointment. You can come anytime." That openness, combined with his refusal to be called "Raja Saheb" despite his royal lineage, defined him.

In the UK, V.P. Singh participated in a Buddha Purnima ceremony and offered Bhojan danam to monks, sitting among them as an ordinary follower. He would attend events organized by the Indian High Commission, but never sought the spotlight.

A Legacy That Refuses to Fade

V.P. Singh’s life remains a shining example of how power can be wielded with grace and principle. He was born into privilege, yet he chose to stand with the most marginalized. He never compromised on his convictions, even as his health failed him.

Chakravarty Gautam sums it up best: "Saheb was a great man in the truest sense. He never imposed his greatness on others. It is difficult to be like him, but his life is a beacon for those who value honesty and humility."

As we remember V.P. Singh on his birth anniversary, we must not only honor his political legacy but also the personal integrity he brought to public life—a legacy preserved not just in state archives, but in the hearts of those like Gautam ji, who continue to cherish his memory.

---

The author is a social commentator and Ambedkarite activist