Er H.R Phonsa
Shri Parmanand, affectionately called ‘Babu Ji’ both by his admirers and adversaries alike, traveled with dignity, a long way from his village hut to Raj Bhawan Chandigarh. In his early days of his life nobody could imagine that the child born in a poor Dalit family at remote backward village Sarore in district Jammu (J&K) shall one day be proud occupant of Raj Bhawan.
Babu Ji was born on 10th august 1932, to late Smt Matyan Devi and Sh. Jaggu Ram who lived in village Sarore and both were deeply religious souls, having deep faith in Sant Mat as expounded by Saints of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, Distt Amritsar, Punjab. Village Sarore has the proud privilege to be the birth place of Baba Sant Rasila Ram Ji (1921-2011) who the Dera Baba Teja Singh Radha Soami Ashram Saidpur Distt Amritsar (Punjab). Babu Ji was brought up in an atmosphere full of spirituality, so he followed and exhibited principle of “Love all, hate none”. Babu ji from his early school days was hard – working, punctual, brilliant but poised boy. He had to travel a distance of over 4 miles to go to his school bare-footed. But poverty and vagaries of wealth could not deter him from his determination to get educated. During those days education was rare, particularly for rural Dalits, and only a few lucky were privileged to go to a school. His will to succeed brought laurels when he passed his M.A.& LL.B degrees with flying colures from the Aligarh Muslim university, in 1958–59 with very high merits. He was perhaps, first Dalit from J&K state to acquire such higher qualifications. He also appeared in the State Civil Services Examination earning 9th position. During his student life, he was taking active part in politics particularly as astudent leader, who was always ready to help and guide the needy students. His efforts earned scholarships to many students from his area & community. He was inclined from the very beginning to politics, as it was a master key with solution to all problems. His best of mind could be gauged from conversation with his college teacher, who once asked all his students, what each one of them would like become in his life. On enquiring from Babu Ji, he got prompt reply, “I Will Be A Minister”. This was perhaps the highest rank he could think in those days. He, too, never knew that he was destined to achieve higher goals.
Duly equipped with higher learning, he met late Bakshi Ghulam Mohd, then Prime Minister of J&K state. Babu Ji was offered the post of Dy.SP or judge in J&K Judiciary. But Babu ji declined the offer and instead asked for candidature to contest next election of the state legislative assembly. This was even disapproved by many well wishers of Babu Ji, who advised him to join service and to lead a comfortable life.
His strong will to become a public representative, won him his maiden elections from Ramgarh (reserved) constituency in 1962, general election. This was his first leap towards his chosen goal.
On becoming M.L.A. his family pressed him to get married and raise his family as advised by Sant Mat. His marriage was ceremonials on 6th May 1962with Sudesh Kumari, daughter of Lala Munshi Ram of Jalandhar in Punjab, who was a well to do sports businessman. Babu Ji was blessed with two equally brilliant sons. His elder son Dr. Rajinder Parsad is serving as Assistant Professor surgery in country’s prestigious All India Institute of Medical sciences New Delhi& second son Gagan Jyoti is a Mechanical Engineer in J&K Engineering services. Babu Ji was also blessed with four grand children .
Babu ji continued wininning lections till 1986,Five times and served in various capacities as MOS,Dy.Minister and Cabinet Minister,besides J&K Assembly speaker. He served as MLA and Minister under Sh. G. M. Bakashi (PM of J&K) Sadiq Sahib, Mir Quasim , Sheikh Mohd. Abdulla and Farooq Abdulla. Babu ji as Minister and Speaker Minister exhibited high qualities of head and heart and won the love, confidence and faith of public in general and the state politicians besides the State administration.
As Minister for Departments of Social Welfare, Housing and Urban Development, Local Bodies, Co-operative he contributed emmensly. His contribution for the development of new residential colonies, launching of many welfare schemes and development of small town shall be remembered for years to come. As MOS social welfare Babu Ji ensured that funds earn marked for the welfare of the weaker sections were utilized in full & properly. During his ” tenure no lapse of funds was reported. He arranged group marriages for the poor girls, arranged scholarships for the students. During his minister ship, doors of higher education including professional colleges were got opened for the weaker section of the society, despite the facts that reservation Rules were not applicable in the State of J&K till 1970. His commitment to the cause of down trodden and needy remained on record, which won him next elections thrice. By this time his name & fame spread into all corners of the J&K state & beyond. He took land mark decisions based on law of the land for the welfare of the society in general & deprived section of the society in particular. Por Babu Ji every needy person irrespective of his or her caste or religious affiliations needed help & Babu Ji came to rescue of all needy.
Babu ji served of Legislature Assembly speaker (1977 – 80), when Internationally known personality late Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah was the Chief Minister. Sher-I-Kashmir Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah loved Babu Ji for his many good qualities, when the society was fasting losing moral values. After his sad demise his son Dr. Farooq Abdullah took over as Chief Minister and made Babu Ji his Finance and Power Minister in 1982 with rank two. As finance Minister Babu ji passed orders for equal bi- annual Darbar Move Traveling Allowance, for employees from Class IV to the Chief Secretary, as earlier the Move T A had three different slabs linked with pay scale & rank of the officers, officials. Thousands of daily wager’s services were regularized.
Babu Ji won the next election from the Bishnah constituency (Reserved) again and continued till 18th January, 1990 when the state was put under Governor Rule. Thereafter, Babu Ji was on panel of Governor’s Advisory Board 1991 to 1995 under General KV. Krishna Rao (Retd.) and Shri. G.C. Saxsena as Governor. Babu Ji enjoyed confidence of both these Governors during peak militancy days. Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy, an all India registered society confirmed Dr. Ambedkar National Award on Babu Ji in1991-92 for his life long distinguished services to the down trodden. The foundation stone for headquarter building for Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy at Roop Nagar, Jammu was laid by His Excellency then Governor of J&K Gen. K.V. Krishana Rao (Retd.) on 14th April 1994. And the building stands already completed. This building also houses Dr. Ambedkar Education & Publication Society headquarters. Babu ji had planned to impart free coaching to the deserving students from weaker segments of the region to compete for All India Services like l AS, IPS, IRS etc. But his dreams had unfulfilled due to the apathy of administration, which make tall claims of rendering help to weaker section of the society but shrink responsibilities while taking even just decisions in welfare schemes. Infrastructures for the institution are ready but due to untimely death of the leader, the project dreams continue unfulfilled. Babu ji had worked for the upliftment and just cause of the people all throughout his life, they too have lot of love, affection, respect and regard for him. All this was evident when Babu Ji departed from this world on Thursday the 24th of April 2008 at 0005 Hours. He is survived by his wife, two sons & four grandchildren.
Floral wreath was also laid on behalf of the A.R Kidwai Governor of Haryana through the ADC to Governor of J&K State. Sh. Gulam Nabi Azad Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleagues reached Babu Ji ‘s residence to pay tributes. Leaders of all political parties paid their respects and conveyed their sympathies with the bereaved family
At the cremation ground again a large crowd of over 10,000 people had gathered. Sh. L.K. Advani former Dy. Prime minister Of India, along with Sh. Shanta Kumar ex C M Himachal Pradesh & R. P Singh reached by a charted plane from New Delhi to pay their last respects to senior Sh Advani said that Babu Ji was a leader of masses, honest, committed, clean imaged personality and it shall be difficult to find an equal to him with high moral values. Sh. Advani further said that Babu Ji shall remain a source of inspiration for the party activists and masses. Revered Soami Gurdeep Gir ji Maharaj of Dera Pathankot to pay respect to the Dali leader& many of his followers. A Kashmiri Muslim, mourner, described Babu Ji as “A Great Darvesh or Saint “.
After many had Last glimpses of the departed leader, the Guard of Honour was given by J&K police with reversed arms and with blowing of last bugle the mortal remains of Babu Ji were consigned to flames. The pyre was lit by Babu Ji’s two sons Dr Rajinder Parsad & Gagan Jyoti &two grandchildren Master Varun & Anmol along with other relatives.
Babu ji shall be long remembered as a leader of masses, who cared for their welfare more than his personnel comforts. He often advised them “Apna Diya Aap Bano”.
