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{{short description|Indian lawyer}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = B. Shyam Sunder
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Minorities Movement.jpg
| alt =
| caption = B. Shyam Sunder(R) with Tara Singh(L)
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1908|12|21}}
| birth_place = [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], [[Hyderabad State]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1975|05|19|1908|12|21}}
| death_place = Hyderabad
| resting_place = Hyderabad
| resting_place_coordinates = 
| monuments =
| other_names =
| citizenship =
| education = [[B.A.]] [[LL.B]]
| alma_mater = [[Osmania University]]
| occupation = lawyer
| organization = Bhim Sena
| title = Quied-e-Pushthkhome
| term =
| party =
| movement = Eradication of Untouchability,
| opponents =
| parents = B. Manicham (father)<br />Sudha Bai (mother)
| awards = Khusro-e-Deccan
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| signature_size =
| website = 
| footnotes =
}}
'''B. Shyam Sunder''' (21 December 1908 – 19 May 1975) was a political thinker, jurist, prolific writer, parliamentarian and a [[revolutionary]] leader.<ref name="Hegde 2015">{{cite news | last=Hegde | first=Sanjay | title=There were some Dalit leaders like B. Shyam Sunder, who vociferously said: "We are not Hindus, we have nothing to do with the Hindu caste system, yet we have been included among them by them and for them." | newspaper=The Hindu | date=14 April 2015 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/sanjay-hegde-on-br-ambedkar-the-hero-who-built-an-independent-india/article7099218.ece | accessdate=6 September 2015}}</ref> He was born in [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] district in [[Hyderabad State]], British India. In 1915, he moved to [[Hyderabad]] with his father, B. Manicham, who was a railway employee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=B.Shyam Sunder-Biography Synopsis and Books {{!}} PDF {{!}} Independent India {{!}} Politics Of India |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/101913632/B-Shyam-Sunder-Biography-synopsis-and-books |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and education==

Sunder was born into [[Mala (caste)|Mala]] family at [[Aurangabad Cantonment|Aurangabad Canttonment]], [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra|Aurangabad district]], [[Maharashtra]]. It was then a part of the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]]'s princely state. He completed his schooling at Aurangabad. He was greatly moved by caste ill-feelings and [[Untouchability|practice of untouchability]], his agitated mind took him to Buddha's [[Ajanta Caves]] to seek solace. When his family moved to Hyderabad, he enrolled in the [[Osmania University]], graduating in political science, economics and later did a law degree.

He could speak Urdu, English and Marathi. He was elected as Senate and Syndicate member of the Osmania University. He entered active politics and joined the student wing of Depressed Classes Association. He was chosen as General Secretary and later became its president in 1947.<ref name="RKK">{{cite book |last=Kshirsagar |first=R.K |title=Dalit Movement in India and its leaders, 1857-1956 |publisher=MD Publication |year=1994 |isbn=978-81-85880-43-3 |location=New Delhi |pages=335–336}}</ref>

In 1937, he founded the Dalit-Muslim unity movement at [[Parbhani]] in [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra]] and urged his people to join hands with Muslims.<ref>Dalit Movement in India and its leaders 1857-1956, R.K. Kshirsagar, p.210</ref> He was a legislator representing [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Mysore]] State.

In 1956, he established the "All India Federal Association of Minorities" at Hyderabad<ref>Council on Religion and International Affairs, Donald Dugene Smith, p.56.</ref> and finally organised a movement for [[Bahujan]]s in 1968 at [[Lucknow district]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] State and formally declared that [[Minorities]] slogan "India is ours."<ref>{{cite book|last=Mohan|first=Brij|title=India's Social problems:analysing basic issues|year=1972|publisher=India International Publication|location=New Delhi|pages=28}}</ref> He inaugurated 'Bhim Sena', a voluntary corps force, at [[Gulbarga]] in Karnataka State which later spread to all parts of India. [[V. T. Rajshekar]] an eminent Dalit scholar, writer and editor [[Dalit Voice]] credited him as ''Father of Dalits Movements in India.''

==Political career==

He practiced law briefly and joined the [[Swadeshi movement]] under the leadership of Smt [[Sarojini Naidu]] and served as its General Secretary to [[Andhra Pradesh]]. He was elected the President of Literary Society of Hyderabad. He accepted the membership of Exhibition Society to Hyderabad. He was elected unopposed from Graduate Constituency, to [[Hyderabad Legislative Assembly]] and later served as its Deputy Speaker.<ref>http://www.sikhvicharmanch{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

He was a part of the Nizam's delegation to the UN. PR Venkat Swamy, who authored ''Our Struggle for Emancipation'', says "the entry of Shyam Sunder is a red day in the history of Depressed Class Movement" and mentions he was fondly addressed as ''Queid-e-Pusthakhome'' [Leader of Depressed Class]. The Nizam of Hyderabad conferred ''Khusro-e-Deccan'', highest civilian award, on Shyam Sunder for his yeoman service. Rajsheker VT editor [[Dalit Voice]], an eminent Dalit writer, gives a graphic picture of Shyam Sunder and achievement of Bhim Sena.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shetty|first=Rajsheker VT|title=Dalit Movement in Karnataka|year=1978|publisher=Christian Literature Society|location=Bangalore|pages=15}}</ref>

==Missions of life==

Shyam Sunder was a social-political and ideological leader of the Mool Bharathis the during pre- and post-independence period. He was able to alleviate the conscience of his brethren by making them realise they are not [[Dalit|Untouchable]] but the Mool Bharathis of India; they are born Buddhist and builders of [[Harappan civilization]] and heir apparent to rule this land.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jogadand|first=Prahalad Gangaram|title=Dalit Movement in Maharashtra|year=1991|publisher=Kanak Publication|location=New Delhi|pages=61}}</ref> He strove hard to provide education facilities and fought for land reforms for his brethren. He spearheaded a movement to federate [[Minorities]] and Bahujans to fight for their legitimate constitutional rights.

==We are not Hindus, we are born Buddhist==

[[Hinduism]] has a practice of "untouchability", wherein certain people are [[Dalit|Untouchable]]. The Father of Nation, Sri [[Mahatma Gandhi]], fondly said they are [[Harijan]], meaning sons of God. The Constitution of India declared they are [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes]] and Human Right activists say they are [[Dalit]]. Shyam Sunder, from the beginning of his political career, bluntly refuted this, saying "We are not Hindus, we have nothing to do with the Hindu caste system, yet we have been included among them by them and for them." and wisely said that Caste system is to them by them and for them.

==Dalit-Muslim unity movement==

Change! Change swiftly; if you do not change now you will never change!" said Shyam Sunder at the "All India Depressed Classes Association" Conference on 30–31 May 1941 at [[Parbhani]] in Aurangabad District held under his presidency. He laid the foundation for [[Dalit-Muslim Unity Movement]]. It was decided in the conference that the untouchables should abandon all the traditional activities and get themselves freed from untouchability and caste system. He read sixty-four pages printed presidential address known as ''Khutbe-e-Sadarat'' and asked his people to raise a banner of militant revolt against caste system and join hands with the Muslims. He was a fiery pro-Muslim leader.<ref>{{cite book|last=Omvdt|first=Gail|title=Dalit and Democratic Revolutions|year=1994|publisher=Sage Publication|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-0-8039-9139-2|pages=296}}</ref> It turned out to be a social-cultural movement and has contributed to the sociology of development.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gran|first=Peter|title=Beyond Eurocentrism: a new view of modern world history|year=1996|publisher=Syracuse University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8156-2692-3|pages=379}}</ref> He was the apostle of Dalit-Muslim unity movement in India. [[Sheetal Markan's Blog]] it has contributed for political awareness between both communities. Indeed, it is a great document in the history of untouchables movement, he in detailed elucidated the history of Mool Bharathis, Indus valley civilization; a Dravidian civilization, Advent of Aryans in India; Origin of caste system, are Mool Bharthis are adherent of Hinduism, and Aryans (Brhamins) usurpation of power from Mool Bharathis.

==Contribution to education==

In 1932, His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad set up the "One Crore Rupees Education Trust Fund" Shyam Sunder was a trustee member for three years.<ref name="RKK" /> To avoid caste ill-feeling among students, the trust opened Madarsa-e-Pushthkhome schools, residential hostels and to combat school dropout, it distributed monthly scholarships and even clothes to the students. This kind of education system was not found elsewhere in India. Dr. [[B. R. Ambedkar]] started the [[People's Educational Society]] at Aurangabad; Shyam Sunder as a trustee member gave twelve 1.2 million rupees as a grant and five lakhs to establish Sidharth Law college at Bombay [[Nizam of Hyderabad]] personally gave two hundred acres of land to the Society.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=Anupama|title=The Caste question|year=2009|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-25559-3|pages=354}}</ref> With these donations, Milind College, the first PES institution at Aurangabad, was established. Shyam Sunder served as Executive Council Member to the Society from 1964 to 1966.

==Land Reforms==

Shyam Sunder realised that land alone could bring a qualitative-quantitative change in the lives of his brethren. PR Venkat Swamy recalls that he organized a mammoth rally of landless peasants at Hyderabad. He demanded land reforms from Nizam's State government, asking his followers to encroach on government-held "Gairan" land and even surplus lands of landed gentry. Dalits occupying agricultural lands belonging to the Government and privately held properties were first noticed in this part of India.<ref>{{cite book|last=Klyuev|first=Boris|title=Religion in Indian society:the dimension of Unity in diversity|year=1989|publisher=Stosius|isbn=978-81-207-1037-5|pages=92}}</ref> He proposed many amendments to land reform bills in the Karnataka Assembly and his contributions are hailed. But the feudal mentality were stumbling blocks for successful land reform; thus, he went to the extent of demanding a Mool Bharathi State 'Dalitastan'.<ref>http://www.scribed.com/doc/21711264/%20Land%20distribution www.scribed.com/doc/21711264/ Land distribution</ref>

==Address to the UN Security Council==

Sunder was part of the Nizam's delegation to the [[UN Security Council]]. He was the first post-independent leader who addressed the UN security council.<ref name="RKK" /> As a sole representative of the 9 million [[Depressed classes|Depressed Classes]], he formed a part of the delegation, and took advantage of his presence among the representative of world nations. He gave the Security Council a clear picture of the embittered strife between groups and inhuman conditions of the suppressed masses of independent India. His comparison of the situation of the Depressed Classes of India to the segregation of Negros in the United States created an impression in the world diplomatic parlors. He was given a place of honor everywhere, as the true representative of sixty million "untouchables", "Unapproachable", "Unseeable" and "Unshadowable" people.

The Indian governments [[Operation Polo]] wherein the Nizam signed an accession treaty with government occurred, and Shyam Sunder cut short his European tour and returned to India. He was kept under house arrest at his sisters house in [[Pune]] and later freed. He renewed his political activities and contested the first General Election from Chanchal Guda constituency from Hyderabad, which he lost. He was later elected to Mysore Legislative Assembly from Bhalki constituency in Bidar district. In 1962 he contested for an Assembly seat from Åland constituency in [[Kalaburagi district]], and Lok Sabha seat from [[Bidar district]], but lost both elections.<ref name="RKK" /> After the demise of Dr. [[Ram Manohar Lohia]] he became the president of [[Praja Socialist Party]].

==Minorities Movement==
[[File:Minorities Movement.jpg|thumb|Minorities Movement]]

With the blessings of Sardar Master [[Tara Singh Malhotra|Tara Singh]], on 13 October 1956 Shyam Sunder formed "All India Federal Association of Minorities" at Hyderabad. Shyam Sunder also wrote the pamphlet ''Federation is a must for Indian Minorities'';<ref>{{cite journal|title=none|last=Sunder|first=Shyam B|journal=India Quarterly|volume=20|series=Indian Council of World Affairs|pages=196}}</ref> his demands for Minorities included enforcement of their Constitutional rights, preservation of culture, electoral reforms, and even nationalisation of Administration Problems of India Minorities. His main objectives were to undertake a nationwide educative campaign in favor of secularism, to ensure that minorities were not denied their constitutional rights, and a fair deal in recruitment for civil and military appointments and admissions to educational and technical institutions. Articles 29 and 30 of the constitution of India (part III) were implemented in letters as well as in spirit so far as the minorities are concerned. He warned minorities that "the alternative before the minorities is federate or face a lingering death.". National Integration and Problems of Minorities"<ref>Seminar:the monthly Symposium 1969, p 27. Bharat Prakashan Ltd new Delhi</ref> He specifically suggests safeguards such as effective representation of minorities in Parliament and Legislature, safety of their life and culture and re iterates the re-organisation of states and further he says prejudice and discrimination against minorities hurts the country more than its victims.

==Four Immediate Needs of 12 Crore Suppressed Human beings in India==

On 26 January 1968, a conference of "All India Scheduled Caste Federation" conference was held at [[Nanded District]] in Maharashtra State under the Presidency of Shyam Sunder. He thundered that the practice of [[Apartheid]] is a racial one and untouchability is religious in nature. The "ghetto apartheid" has been operation for three thousand years in India in spite of India's Constitutional provisions for Scheduled Caste has made no differences in the practice of untouchability and they are living in burning furnace and conference also decided to co-ordinate all political parties.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandani|first=Mir G G|title=Reporting India|year=1975|publisher=Abhinava Publication|pages=105}}</ref>

The federation put forth Four Demands:<ref>{{cite book|last=Jeffery|first=Robin|title=India, rebellion to republic: select writing|year=1990|pages=510}}</ref> Separate settlement, separate election for them, establishment of a separate University at [[Milind college]] in Aurangabad or [[Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce|Siddharth College]] at Bombay and lastly, form an education trust funded by the government of India. The conference also demanded that the [[Marathwada University]] should be named after B. R. Ambedkar

==Bhim Sena==
He created [[Bhim Sena]], a voluntary corps force, on 29 April 1968 in Gulbarga district in Karnataka on the seventy-seventh anniversary of the birth of Dr. [[B. R. Ambedkar]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} He gave Ambedkars name to Bhim Sena<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jogdand|first1=Prahlad Gangaram|title=Dalit movement in Maharashtra|date=1991|publisher=Kanak Publications|location=New Delhi|page=– 184}}</ref> is a self-defense movement based on truth and non-violence.It repulsed the caste Hindus atrocities on the untouchables.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Virdi|first1=Santokh Lal|title=Casteism: The Eighth Worst Wonder|date=2001|publisher=Dalit Sahit Academy Punjab|location=Punjab|page=104}}</ref> A militant force comprised about 2,00,000 Dalits.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Veena Poonacha|first1=Divya Pandey|title=Responses to Domestic Violence in the States of Karnataka & Gujarat|date=1999|publisher=Research Centre for Women's studies, SNDT Women's University|location=Bombay|page=– 354}}</ref> The movement was revolt against Hindu caste system.<ref name="Press Council of India">{{cite book|author=Alice Jacob|author2=Usha Loghani|title=Violation of journalistic ethics and public taste|date=1984|publisher=N.M. Tripathi|location=Bombay|id=#4822233|page=138}}</ref> Shyam Sunder wished to create Dalitastan, a country for Untouchables, and desired an alliance between the Dalits, the Muslims and the Untouchables. For this reason, Bhim Sena became popular. The Bhim Sena movement was a caste struggle rather than a class struggle, to confront Hindus militarily. The main objectives of Bhim Sena were three-fold: twenty-five percent villages to be surrendered to them, a separate electorate, and separate elections and a separate University for them.

===Organisation===

Bhim Sena should be organised on a district wise basis. The Flag of the Bhim Sena will be blue. In the centre there will be a white shining sun in which there will be likeness of the plough, the hammer and the arrow in red colour representing peasants, workers and the traves. The plough also indicates that the Scheduled Castes are the principal producers of food, the hammer indicates that they are the power behind all industrial activities, while the arrow shows that it is they who once ruled India. powers Self-defence is our main object, subsidiary activities like Prepare for census and election work, The Legal Aid Committee, Adult education.

==Father of Bahujans Movement==

Shyam Sunder held a conference concerning Scheduled Caste, Minorities, Backward Classes and other Minorities Convention at [[Lucknow district]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]] on 12 and 13 October 1968. [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]], Dr. Fareedi, Bhante Bhadat, and [[Anand Kausalyayan]] attended.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/hur/001444.shtml |title=Presidential Address. Uttar Pradesh Minorities and Backward Classes Convention - SUNDER, B. SHAM |access-date=27 November 2011 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407015551/http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/hur/001444.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his presidential address he put forth several demands. He demanded remodeling of para military forces, division of bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra and Bihar into two or more states. He advocated that Minorities should be treated as corporate entities and be given autonomy to conduct their affairs. With one voice it declared the aqhliyataoun ka Nara Hindustan hamara. "From the platform of this convention, held in Lucknow noted for its refined composite Hindustani culture. I call upon the oppressed minority’s f the great land to wake up and unite; I warn them that if they do not, they would be annihilated one by one, group by group and section by section. And declare that united they constitute the majority and have the natural right to play an effective role in guiding the destination of the land of their birth and I conclude by expressing on my own behalf and on behalf of this convention our profound devotion to our mother land Ahliyataouna ka nara Hindustan Hamara.In fact, this movement at Lucknow was a precursor to the Bahujan movement started by Sri [[Kanshi Ram]].

==An Appeal to the UN==

He sought the UN’s intervention<ref>{{cite book|last=Rajsheker|first=VT|title=Dalit:The Black untouchables of India|year=1987|publisher=Clarity Press|pages=29}}</ref> to form separate country for untouchables, and appealed for a plebiscite to elucidate the desires of members of the Scheduled Caste in regards to remaining in Hinduism, and similarly in his book ''They Burn''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sunder|first=B Shyam|title=They Burn|year=1987|publisher=Dalit Sahitya Academy|location=Bangalore|pages=118}}</ref> In his book They Burn he says "The United Nations organisation and The Charter on Human Rights does provide some remedy for millions and millions of human beings. who are thus condemned to the inhuman and barbarous condition peculiar to the Untouchables of India numbering one hundred and sixty Millions. Article 13 (B) and 55 (C) of the United Nations Charter deserve study by all champions of the exploited and the downtrodden The possibility of invoking Article 36-2- of the Statue of The International Court of Justice needs to be studied by all friends of the oppressed".

The Mool Bharathi B. Shyam Sunder Memorial Society was formed after the death of Shyam Sunder. The society has published his books and assists research students in various universities.

==Books by B. Shyam Sunder==

===Mool Bharathis===

#They Burn: the 16,00,00,000 untouchables of India
#The four immediate needs of twelve crores suppresses human beings in India : resolutions passed unanimously
#Veda Mecum for Mool Bharatis
#Bhim Sena kya Chahati hai (Urdu)
#Problems of Scheduled Caste
#Harijans and General Elections
#Neo-Buddhist Claims as Scheduled Caste
#The Plight of Scheduled Caste in India Petition to Lok Sabha
#National Integration and Problems of Indian Minorities
#Danger Ahead for Minorities let us Unite and Face them
#Federation is a Must for Indian Minorities
#Problems of Indian Minorities

===On Bahujans===

#Presidential Address Uttar Pradesh Minorities and Backward Classes Convention (English, Urdu and Hindi)
#Khutebe-e-Sadarat, Parbhani Presidential Address in (Urdu)
#Deeksha (Hindi, Urdu and English)
#Bhoodevataon ka Manifesto (Hindi, Kannada and Urdu)
#Educational conference at Hyderabad (Urdu)
#Zionist Plot to Dominate the World
#Today's Muslims are Tomorrows Harijans
#Interview to Meherab Urdu Digest

===On Hinduism===

#Bhudevataon ka Manifesto (Hindi and Kannada)
#UDHR Must be Honored in India
#The Menace of the Dragon

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunder, B. Shyam}}
[[Category:Dalit activists]]
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Aurangabad district, Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Praja Socialist Party politicians]]
[[Category:People from Marathwada]]
[[Category:Activists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Dalit leaders]]
[[Category:Dalit politicians]]
[[Category:Dalit writers]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Indian political writers]]
[[Category:Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:Indian revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists]]
[[Category:Osmania University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:Politicians from Maharashtra]]

B. Shyam Sunder - Revision history

Isaac3301 at 01:34, 15 March 2026