Abdul Bari[1] (1892–1947) was an Indian freedom activist, academic and social reformer. He sought to bring about social reform in Indian society by awakening people through education.[2] He had a vision of India free from slavery, social inequality, and communal disharmony.[3] He took part in the freedom movement, for which he was killed.[4][5][6] He was against the Two-nation theory.[7][8]
Abdul Bari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Abdul Bari 1892 Kansua, Jehanabad Bihar Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 28 March 1947 (aged 54–55) Khusrupur, Bihar Province, British India |
| Cause of death | Shot near Fatuah Railway Crossing |
| Resting place | Peermohani Qabristan, Patna |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | President of Tata Worker's Union |
| Years active | 1917–1947 |
| Organization | Tata Steel Workers Union |
| Known for | Played active role to unite worker section of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa for freedom struggle movement in 1921, 1922 and 1942 |
| Term | 1936–1947 |
| Predecessor | Subhas Chandra Bose |
| Successor | Michael John |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Movement | Quit India Movement |
Early life and education
editAbdul Bari was born on 21 January 1884 to Md Qurban Ali as the eldest of 4 children. He was born in Kansua but was a resident of Koilwar. He was a descendant of Malik Ibrahim Baya, a 14th century sufi saint and warrior.[9]
He got admitted in the T. K. Ghosh Academy, Patna and completed his matriculation from the same. Later in 1918, he completed Master of Arts from Patna University.[9]
Biography
editIn 1937, he made his first historical agreement with the TISCO (now Tata Steel) management.[10]
Bari served as the president of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee from 1946 until his death on 28 March 1947. He was killed by three men who shot at him after an altercation by Bari Path in Khusrupur, Bihar Province, during a stopover on his return from Dhanbad to Patna.[11] In his tribute, Mahatma Gandhi stated that Bari "lived like a fakir in the service of his countrymen." Then Congress President J. B. Kripalani said, "His death has robbed India [sic] one of its bravest and most selfless soldiers of freedom. He was utterly free from communal bias and knew himself only as an Indian. His was a dedicated life filled with a passion for the service of the working classes."[12]
On the first death anniversary of Bari, Rajendra Prasad recalled his contribution to the nation through a message dated 22 March 1948 published in Mazdur Avaz.[13][14]
Personal life
editAbdul Bari was married to Zulaikha Begum, a resident of Koilwar. They had 2 sons (Salahuddin Bari and Shahabuddin Bari) and 3 daughters (Tahira, Hamida, Saeeda) together.[9]
Legacy
editThe Government of Bihar named Bari Path, a Road and Abdul Bari Bridge, a Bridge as a tribute to Abdul Bari.[15][16]
On March 20, 2021 and On March 28, 2024, The Tata Workers Union led by Sanjiv Kumar Chowdhary, the president of TWU paid tribute to Abdul Bari on his death anniversary.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ "The Freedom Fighter and Labour Leader Still Beloved in Jamshedpur". The Wire. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ Choudhary, Valmiki. Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Correspondence and Select documents Volume 8. Centenary Publication. p. 421.
- ^ Gladstone, Alan; Ozaki, Muneto (1991). Working together: labour-management cooperation in training and in technological and other Changes. Geneva: International Labour Office. p. 191.
- ^ Prasad, Rajendra (1961). At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi. Asia Publication House. p. 178.
- ^ Datta, Kalikinkar (1957). History of the freedom movement in Bihar. Govt. of Bihar.
- ^ Chaturvedi, Ritu (2007). Bihar Through the Ages. Sarup & Sons. p. 55.
- ^ Asthanvi 2012, p. 17.
- ^ Chatterjee, Vidyarthy (6 August 2020). "The Life & Legacy Of Abdul Bari| Countercurrents". countercurrents.org. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Asthanvi 2012, p. 14.
- ^ Simeon, Dilip. "The Politics of the Labour Movement: An Essay on Differential Aspirations". Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ "Murder of Bihar P.C.C. Chief". The Indian Express. 30 March 1947. p. 1.
- ^ "Lived Like a Fakirin Service of His Countrymen". The Indian Express. 31 March 1947. p. 5.
- ^ Choudhary, Valmiki. Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Correspondence and Select documents Volume 8. Centenary Publication. p. 421.
- ^ Chaturvedi, Ritu (2007). Bihar Through the Ages. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-798-5.
- ^ Headlines, Beyond (28 March 2019). "जब गांधी ने प्रोफ़ेसर अब्दुल बारी से पूछा —क्या अभी तक ज़िन्दा हैं?". BeyondHeadlines. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Abdul Bari Bridge: 160 साल से खड़ा है यह पुल, दिन भर गुजरती हैं कई ट्रेनें". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 4 January 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Tata Workers Union recollects life of Prof Abdul Bari on death anniversary". The Avenue Mail. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Tata Workers' Union prayer meeting in memory of Prof. Abdul Bari". The Avenue Mail. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
Bibliography
edit- Asthanvi, Ashraf (2012). Professor Abdul Bari: Azeem Mujahid-e-Azadi Aur Bihar Ke Memar (in Hindi) (1st ed.). Patna: Better World Mission.
- Sahil, Afroz Alam (2019). Professor Abdul Bari: Azaadi ki Ladaai ka ek Krantikaari Yodhha (in Hindi) (1st ed.). New Delhi: INSAAN International Publication.
Sources
edit- Dr. Rajendra Prasad: Correspondence and Select documents Volume 8 by Valmiki Choudhary published by Centenary Publication
- At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi by Rajendra Prasad published by Asia Publication House
- History of the Freedom Movement in Bihar by Kalikinkar Datta published by Govt. of Bihar.
- Bihar through the Ages by Ritu Chaturvedi published by Sarup & Sons
- My Days With Gandhi by Nirmal Kumar Bose
- Working together: Labour-management Co-operation in Training and in Technological and other Changes by Alan Gladstone, Muneto Ozaki published by International Labour Office, Geneva
- The Politics of the Labour Movement: An Essay on Differential Aspirations by Dilip Simeon
- History of The Indian Iron and Steel Co. Ltd by Dr. N.R.Srinivasan
- Official website of Tata Workers Union