Lenin Raghuvanshi

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Lenin Raghuvanshi
Born
1970-5-18 (age 56)
Varanasi, India
Other names
संजय
Nationality
Indian
Education
Bachelor degree in Ayurveda, Modern Medicine and Surgery (1994)
Occupation
Social activist


Lenin Raghuvanshi is an Indian Dalit rights activist, political thinker and social entrepreneur.[1][2][3][4] He is one of the founding members of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR),[5] which works for the upliftment of the marginalised sections of the society.[6][7] His work has been recognized with awards like Gwangju Human Rights Award (2007),[8] the ACHA Star Peace award (2008),[9] the International Human Rights Prize of the city of Weimar (2010)[10][11] Special Mentions Prize of Human Rights of The French Republic (2018),[12][13] Public Peace Prize(2018)[14][15] and Karmaveer Maharatna Award (2019).[16][17][18] He nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat masculinity driven militarist traditions, for his contribution to bettering conditions for peace in world and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of masculinity driven militarist traditions as a weapon of war and conflict.[19][20][21]

Personal life

Lenin Raghuvanshi was born in a higher caste Hindu family, to Surendra Nath Singh and Shrimati Savitri Devi, on 18 May 1970.[22] His grandfather Shanti Kumar Singh, was a Gandhian freedom fighter.[23] He did his bachelor's course in Ayurveda, Modern Medicine and Surgery from the State Ayurvedic Medical College, Gurukul Kangari, Haridwar in 1994. Lenin married Shruti Nagvanshi,a famous social activist[24] on 22 February 1992 and has a son, Kabeer Karunik,[25] who is national level snooker player.[26] Both he and Shruti are converts to Buddhism.[27]

Initial years

From the beginning, Raghuvanshi was averse to the caste system. He refers to his higher caste Hindu upbringing as "feudal".[28] This sprung the seed of social activism in him. He became the president of the Uttar Pradesh chapter of United Nations Youth Organisation at the age of 23 (1993).[29]

With his exposure into the mainstream society, he realised that casteism is present in all walks of life. With the Indian Government tackling the issue with its reservation policies and making it perennial, Raghuvanshi chose the path of uplifting them by making their voices heard. He founded the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) in 1996, along with his life partner Shruti Nagvanshi, historian Mahendra Pratap, musician Vikash Maharaj, and poet Gyanedra Pati.

On bonded labour and children's right to education

In 1999, Raghuvanshi founded a community-based organisation, Jan Mitra Nyas (People-friendly Association), which was backed by ActionAid. The movement adopted three villages near Varanasi and an urban slum, with an objective of providing better education to the children there.[30] He was elected in 2001 into the executive council of Voice of People, supported by Child Rights and You (CRY), an organisation active in 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh, which works for the rights of the children.[31]

He was appointed as a member of the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour under Bonded Labour abolition Act 1976 by the Governor of UP in 2002. He filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Rajendar Thripathi, the village head of Belwa in the Badagaon block of Varanasi administrative district in his capacity as a member of the District Vigilance Committee. However, Rajendar escaped arrest, and Lenin has been reported to be receiving death threats since then.[32] In revenge, the head of Belwa village filed a case against Raghuvanshi and two PVCHR staff members for "statements conducing to public mischief" and "anti-state activities"; the latter proceeding of case was stayed by High Court.[33]

In 2004, he conceptualised the 'Jan Mitra Gaon' (People-friendly villages) project, under which three villages and an urban slum were adopted with the motives of eradicating child labour, providing education to girls, reintroducing non-traditional education and improving the state of educational institutions.[34]

Contributions to the Weavers Community

Raghuvanshi represented the Bunkar Dastkar Adhikar Manch in the People's Tribunal on Human Rights, chaired by Sayeda Hameed, a member of the Planning Commission of India, briefing on the reportedly poor situation of the Varanasi weavers.[35] Bunkar Dastkar Adhikar Manch is a Varanasi-based outfit, founded by Siddiq Hassan, in 2004, that lobbies for the weaver community.[36] Varanasi Weavers Trust was conceptualised in 2004 by the Sri Lankan economist Darin Gunasekara and Raguvansi, with the objective of easy accessibility of the capital and market to the poor in a democratised way. The demand was then put forth to the Indian Government for the establishment of the trust.[37]

Bringing together the South Asian countries

On 15 January 2005, human rights groups from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, PVCHR (India), INSEC (Nepal), People's Forum for Human Rights (Bhutan), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, LOKOJ (Bangladesh) and Wiros Lokh Institute (Sri Lanka), met with an objective of a united South Asia, working for the common good, in Kathmandu. This convention was named People's SAARC, leading to the formation of a South Asian People's Forum, with Raghuvanshi as its coordinator.[38] Afghanistan was later added to this SAARC. This was indeed an excellent effort to build human rights mechanism in SARRC countries where the discourse of human rights is still in its nascent stage.[39]

Social justice through the Neo-Dalit Movement

Raghuvanshi has called for the establishment of a neo-Dalit movement to eliminate the caste system and overthrow feudalism, thereby establishing a society based on equal dignity for all humankind. The neo-Dalit movement – combining Shudras and ati-Shudras (dalits of all kinds) from all regions – would formulate a popular movement against the ‘culture of impunity’ and the existing caste system.[40][41]

Recognition

Raghuvanshi is a 2001 Ashoka Fellow.[42][43] He was appointed as the state director for the European Union funded National Project on Prevention of Torture in 2006,[44] in recognition of the reports published by PVCHR on torture incidents in the state. He drafted a Testimonial model for India along with Dr. Inger Agger,[45] working further on dealing with torture. He was awarded the Gwangju Human Rights Award in 2007, along with Irom Sharmila.[8] In 2008, he received ACHA Star Peace award from Association for Communal Harmony in Asia USA along with B. M. Kutty, Karamat Ali and Mubashir Mirza from Pakistan.[9] In 2010, he was elected as the president for the Association of Cultural Harmony in Asia, USA.[46] The City Council of Weimar, Germany, chose him for the 2010 International Human Rights award.[10] He was appointed as the member of NGO core Committee of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2012, in recognition of his tireless work for human rights.[47] In 2015, Lenin was invited at the Global Tolerance Forum in Drammen, Norway where he voiced his strong opinion on the contemporary political situation in India, showed deep concern about increasing hold of fundamentalist and extremists elements in Indian society.[48] Dr. Lenin was awarded M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award, 2016 for his contribution in struggle for the rights of marginalized community, particularly the dalits and adivasis.[49] Recognizing his contribution for the promotion and protection of the children's rights, Wockhardt foundation selected him as a Child Rights Activist of the year in a nationwide online voting. In 2016, Lenin was selected member of Global India-an Ireland-based Horizon 2020 funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Training Network.The network is composed of 6 different EU Universities and has 9 partners in India.[50] In September 2017, India Times listed Raghuvanshi as one of the 11 Human Rights Activists in India whose Life Mission is to provide others With A Dignified Life.[51] Daily Indian Media recognized the contribution by Lenin Raghuvanshi along with 12 Indian Stalwarts from various spheres of Indian Life like Politics, Business, Academics and Entertainment at a glittering Awards Ceremony in New Delhi. Those recognized for their contribution to society and championing the cause of equity, humanity, social justice and human welfare.[52] Deed Indeed, Foundation profiled him as 'Tireless Service to Humanity' and describes,"Lenin Raghuvanshi is one of the Caste System’s greatest nemeses and is one of Society’s Downtrodden’s most dynamic champions and we can all take a humane leaf from his book."[53] Lenin has spoken at colleges and universities across the globe.[54][55][56][57][58] Raghuvanshi has been awarded the following national and international honours since 2018:

  • 2022:Recognized by Senate of Canada as Global Pluralism Awardees,2021 [59][60][61]
  • 2022:Awarded as 2021 Global Pluralism Award Honourable Mentions for an inclusive social movement that challenges the patriarchy and the caste system.[62][63][64]
  • 2022:Selected as the ambassador for Human Rights Measurement Initiative(HRMI), the first global initiative to track human rights performance of countries.[65]
  • 2021: On 15 August 2021, India Times Hindi edition listed Raghuvanshi as one of the 11 Human Rights Activists in India whose Life Mission is to provide others With A Dignified Life.[66]
  • 2021:Lenin profiled as KBH Heroes by leading Hindi television.[67][68]
  • 2021:He profiled as one Samaritans of India who thrived Pandemic without letting hopes of their people go down![69]
  • 2021:European Union Visitor Program profiled as EUVP WALL OF FAME[6][70]
  • 2020:He profiled as an expert about the current situation around child labour in India amid COVID-19, and what can be done to eradicate it by British Safety Council.[71]
  • 2020:Two Dalit rights activists from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and Ms.Shruti Nagvanshi, among others, have been mentioned to “21st Century Heroes of India” from the perspective of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and other Indian Constitutional Values by Pippa Rann Books & Media, based in the United Kingdom.[72][73]
  • 2020: The Dutch broadcaster Brainwash initiated new online video series Worldly Thinkers. Brainwash is a public service broadcaster for which world famous speakers like Michael Sandel, Louis Theroux and Martha Nussbaum, gave original and inspiring talks. In Worldly Thinkers, thinkers around the world think about and respond to different appealing and urgent theses in seven different episodes, each episode is about 4–5 minutes. Lenin Raghuvanshi has profiled as one of Worldly Thinkers on the issue of Pluralism.
  • 2020: Tilaka Manjhi National award by Ang Madad Foundation, a NGO based in Bhagalpur, Bihar [74]
  • 2019:Mentioned of his name in ten top futurist activists under TAFFD"s 2019 Nominees by USA based magazine TAFFD"s Transdisciplinary Agora for future discussion. Another important name is Environmental activist Ms.Greta and RTI activist Ms.Aruna Roy.[75][76][77]
  • 2019: Rotary International's Vocational Excellence Award in recognition of his extraordinary to life skills of youth and children along with Famous Film Director and producer from Bollywood Mr. Raj Kumar Santoshi[78][79]
  • 2019: Karmaveer Maharatna Award[16][17][18]
  • 2018: Public Peace Prize[80]
  • 2018: Special Mentions Prize of Human Rights of The French Republic[81]
  • 2018: Bhartiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar[82]

Literary and academic contribution

Lenin frequently contribute articles in local, national and international magazine and online websites.[83][84] His latest book, Justice, Liberty, Equality: Dalits in Independent India, highlight cases of Dalits atrocities and throw the light on the inability of the administrative system to protect the poor and vulnerable of the Indian society. Book underline failure of Indian human rights system to protect the dignity of Dalits. Lenin, in his high pitch and critical tone, underscores dire need to bring the social change and appeal to bring necessary transformation in the Indian human rights machinery to prevent and redress human rights violations on Dalits and vulnerable people.[85] He was one of a 12-person strong editorial board of Torture for 1998–2020. The Torture Journal is an international scientific journal that provides an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of original research and systematic reviews by professionals concerned with the biomedical, psychological and social interface of torture and the rehabilitation of its survivors.[86][87] He became member of advisory board at Journal of Transdisciplinary Peace Praxis (JTPP).[88] He is also member of the IRCT Data and Research Methods Reference Group (Data Reference Group).[89] The feature Chapter ‘Conscientisation of Untouchables in Indian Society’ in book titled 'Consciousness-Raising: Critical pedagogy and practice for social change'edited by Nilan Yu jointly written by Archana Kaushik, Lenin Raghuvanshi and Mohanlal Panda published by Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor and Francis group. Chapter explores the practice of untouchability through the experience of one Indian village. The chapter recounts the experience of PVCHR, a NGO, in breaking down the barriers that hindered the Dalits from enjoying their most basic rights through the mobilization and empowerment of Dalits to voice their concerns and fight for justice.[90]

References

  1. ↑ PVCHR and Lenin Raghuvanshi: Part1(2016-11-10).
  2. ↑ PVCHR and Lenin Raghuvanshi: Part 2(2016-11-11).
  3. ↑ Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and the PVCHR(2010-11-16).
  4. ↑ Lenin, my Friend: Empowering the Marginal, Restoring Dignity – Different Truths(11 May 2016). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  5. ↑ Lenin receives German award for working for Dalits. Pravasi Today(11 December 2010).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lenin Raghuvanshi | EUVP Alumni. Visitors-programme.europa.eu.
  7. ↑ Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:Cbignore
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. 518.org. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 'ACHA Awards (Archives). ACHA.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Local activist to get International award. The Times of India(25 June 2010).
  11. ↑ Weimar - Lenin Raghuvanshi.
  12. ↑ Prix des droits de l'homme 2018. Cncdh.fr. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  13. ↑ Palmarés du Prix des droits de l'homme de la République française 2018.
  14. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi. The Public Peace Prize Website(2018-09-30). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  15. ↑ Unveiling of the winners of the Public Prize for Peace, 2018 edition, publicpeaceprize. The Public Peace Prize Website(2018-12-10). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 लेनिन रघुवंशी को प्रथम कर्मवीर महारत्न पुरस्कार. Patrika News(28 October 2019). Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Dalit activist wins Karmaveer Maharatna Award. Mattersindia.com(2019-11-02). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Dalit activist Lenin Raghuvanshi gets award for making a difference. Asianews.it. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  19. ↑ January 31, 2017: Nobel short list for 2017 to be sent to the committee. Nobelwill.org. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  20. ↑ How Packaged Foods Are Leading India to a Health Crisis(8 November 2021).
  21. ↑ Benaras-Based Lenin and Shruti Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize. Youthkiawaaz.com(10 January 2022). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  22. ↑ frontlinedefenders.org. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  23. ↑ Mobilise and Empower. India Today(10 April 2009).
  24. ↑ Shruti Nagvanshi is icon for rising of marginalized and rural women in India | Lenin Raghuvanshi. Saddahaq.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  25. ↑ Lenin, my Friend: Empowering the Marginal, Restoring Dignity, Roy, Arindam. Different Truths(2016-05-11). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  26. ↑ Kabeer Karunik: Professional Journey, Rights, People's Vigilance Committee On Human(18 September 2019). Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  27. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named India Today1
  28. ↑ Ashoka Fellows. Ashoka.org. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  29. ↑ PVCHR: A warrior against human rights violations. Twocircles.net(15 January 2011).
  30. ↑ International human rights award recognizes Dalit struggle for dignity. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  31. ↑ Basic education is still a poor child. The Times of India(18 February 2011).
  32. ↑ 'Threats against Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi and members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)'. Front Line (NGO)(21 May 2008).
  33. ↑ UPDATE (India): False charge filed against Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and colleagues. Humanrights.asia. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  34. ↑ Education and learning against child exploitation, says Lenin Raghuvanshi. AsiaNews(6 November 2008).
  35. ↑ 'People's Tribunal on Human rights'. The Times of India(19 November 2009).
  36. ↑ Looming extinction : Skilled silk-weavers are feeling the squeeze of competition. The Economist(8 January 2009).
  37. ↑ Government Listens to Weavers Concerns. The South Asian(29 June 2006).
  38. ↑ South Asian Peoples' Declaration | Lenin Raghuvanshi. Saddahaq.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  39. ↑ 'South Asian People's declaration. The South Asian](27 January 2005).
  40. ↑ Account Suspended. Theoslotimes.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  41. ↑ A Musical Resistance to Hindu Nationalism. Arbitror.org. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  42. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi. Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  43. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi | Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker.
  44. ↑ FNF Partner conferred with Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  45. ↑ http://www.uk.rct.dk/sitecore/shell/Controls/Rich%20Text%20Editor/~/media/Conf_Rehab_Dec08/TestimonialTher_Agger_Raguvanshi_Polatin%20pdf.ashx Template:Dead link
  46. ↑ Asian Peace : Board.
  47. ↑ NHRC's "Core Group of NGOs" re-constituted | National Human Rights Commission India. nhrc.nic.in. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  48. ↑ UTO - A Brief Report about Global Tolerance Forum 17 September 2015 – Drammen, Norway. Universaltolerance.org. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  49. ↑ Mr. Lenin Raghuvanshi gets the M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award – 2016., vigilindia. Vigil India Movement. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  50. ↑ Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi • Global India. Global India. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  51. ↑ 11 Human Rights Activists Whose Life Mission Is To Provide Others With A Dignified Life. indiatimes.com(2017-09-07). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  52. ↑ Shabana Azmi awarded the BHARATIYA MANAVATA VIKAS PURASKAR 2018, bureau, Odisha Diary. OdishaDiary.com(2018-08-30). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  53. ↑ Tireless Service to Humanity. Deed Indeed Foundation(2018-09-18). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  54. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
  55. ↑ GLOBAL INDIA WORKSHOP: Preparing for fieldwork in India + key debates on India as an Emerging Economic Player. Instytut Stosunków Międzynarodowych(2018-10-07). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  56. ↑ Global India European Training Network (H2020). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  57. ↑ Testimonial Therapy in India: Hope, human dignity and honour for survivors | Lenin Raghuvanshi. Saddahaq.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  58. ↑ Global meeting on Testimony at Oxford | Lenin Raghuvanshi. Saddahaq.com. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  59. ↑ Recognizing the Global Pluralism Award Winners and the Vital Work of Charities and Nonprofits. YouTube.
  60. ↑ Senate of Canada Congratulates(May 2022).
  61. ↑ At a Glance.
  62. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi.
  63. ↑ Global Centre for Pluralism announces the 2021 Global Pluralism Award Winners(23 February 2022).
  64. ↑ https://junputh.com/voices/global-pluralism-award-doctor-lenin-varanasi/
  65. ↑ The team. Humanrightsmeasurement.org(21 February 2020). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  66. ↑ समाज को उसकी बुराइयों से आज़ाद कर रहे हैं ये 11 Fighters(15 August 2021).
  67. ↑ Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:Cbignore
  68. ↑ डॉ. लेनिन रघुवंशी: दलितों और दबे-कुचलों की भलाई में जीवन समर्पित | Kya Baat Hai. Abplive.com(17 April 2021). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  69. ↑ World NGO Day 2021: Meet these Samaritans who thrived Pandemic without letting hopes of their people go down!(26 February 2021). Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  70. ↑ Wall of fame | EUVP Alumni. Visitors-programme.europa.eu. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  71. ↑ Child labour in India | British Safety Council. Britsafe.in. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  72. ↑ Two Dalit rights activists nominated to "21st Century Heroes of India". Matters India(2020-09-29). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  73. ↑ 21st Century Heroes of India – Pippa Rann Books & Media. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  74. ↑ Two Dalit activists to receive awards for social work. Matters India(2020-09-09). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  75. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
  76. ↑ TAFFD's Magazine of the Future | Issue 2019. Issuu. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  77. ↑ PVCHR: Lenin Raghuvanshi: one of ten top futurist activists, Rights, People's Vigilance Committee On Human(25 February 2020). Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  78. ↑ Rotary awards Raghuvanshi for work among youth. Matters India(2019-12-26). Retrieved 2020-10-09.
  79. ↑ रोटरी अधिवेशन में शामिल होंगे फिल्म निर्माता राजकुमार संतोषी, 20 से 22 दिसंबर तक तीन दिवसीय कार्यक्रम आयोजित. Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  80. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi(30 September 2018). Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  81. ↑ Lenin Raghuvanshi. Cncdh.fr. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  82. ↑ Shabana Azmi awarded the BHARATIYA MANAVATA VIKAS PURASKAR 2018, bureau, Odisha Diary(30 August 2018). Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  83. ↑ Consciousness-Raising.
  84. ↑ In India, a pervasive paranoia blocks progress on human rights. openDemocracy. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  85. ↑ FrontPage Publications. Frontpagepublications.com. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
  86. ↑ International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  87. ↑ International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  88. ↑ Journal of Transdisciplinary Peace Praxis » Advisory Board. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  89. ↑ International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  90. ↑ Consciousness-Raising{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Routledge(27 June 2018)

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