Karni Ram

From Jatland Wiki

Karni Ram Meel (करणी राम) (2 February 1914 - 13 May 1952) was a brave farmer leader of Jhunjhunu district and leader of the Shekhawati farmers movement. He was born in samvat 1970 at village Bhojasar in the family of Chaudhary Deva Ram. His mother died in childhood. After death of his mother he stayed at his nanihal in village Ajadi.

There was no school in the village so he had to go to Alsisar along with other boys. Later he studied at Chirawa, Jaipur, Pilani and Allahabad and became a barrister in Jhunjhunu. He treated his profession as a mission to provide all help to the poor people. His house was always full of needy people and students. Who ever was needy was given money by him especially the poor students who could not pay their fees. He first time came in to light when he pleaded the cases of farmers in 'Pacheri kand' in which jagirdar had lodged hundreds of cases against the farmers. With the hard work of Karni Ram, he could win all the cases. He emerged as a leading advocate of Shekhawati. ^[1]

He was a politician and a social reformer along with an advocate. He was a true follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was the first person to stop dowry and 'mratyu-bhoja' from his own family. He was very much against untouchability. He employed a harijan servant to remove this evil from the society. He was known as Gandhi of Udaipurwati. He had a very high place in district politics. He was Chairman of district Congress Committee.

Shot dead by jagirdars

Karni Ram was shot dead on 13 May 1952 along with Ramdev Singh Gill by the Jagirdars at village Chanwara (चंवरा) when both Karni Ram and Ramdev Singh were sleeping after taking part in farmers movement against jagirdars. Jagirdars treated both of them as their biggest enemies. The news of murder of both leaders spread like forest fire and thousands of farmers gathered at the spot. They were all very agitated against the Jagirdars. Sardar Har Lal Singh, Chaudhari Kumbharam Arya rushed to the spot from jaipur accompanied with I G Police, to pacify the mob. The dead bodies of both martyrs were brought to Jhunjhunu and last rites performed on 14 May 1952 at "Vidyarthi Bhawan Jhunjhunu".^[2]

References

1. ↑ Dr Pema Ram:Shekhawati Kisan Andolan Ka Itihas (शेखावाटी किसान आन्दोलन का इतिहास), Sri Ganesh Sewa Samiti, Jasnagar, District Nagaur - 341518, First Edition 1990, p. 88
2. ↑ Dr Pema Ram:Shekhawati Kisan Andolan Ka Itihas (शेखावाटी किसान आन्दोलन का इतिहास), Sri Ganesh Sewa Samiti, Jasnagar, District Nagaur - 341518, First Edition 1990, p. 220

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