Harbans Lal Virdee
Sadly, our respected leader Lahori Ram Balley expired on 06.07.2023 at his residence, Abadpura, Jalandhar. His departure from the world has left all Ambedkarites and Buddhists orphans. I could not attend funeral as I was in London during those days. I used to hear
Balley Saheb name from our parents before I settled in the United Kingdom as a permanent citizen. Since my childhood, I found that Balley Saheb dedicated his whole life for spreading the message of Dr. Ambedkar whom he met several times when he was in Delhi. Balley Saheb also met Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar with KC Sulekh.
Balley Saheb was born in Nawanshahr now district in Punjab on 20 July,1930. He left three daughters- Shakuntla Nagar , Sunita Bhardwaj and Sujata Sallan and two sons Dr Rahul
Kumar Balley and Anand Kumar Balley. His wife Mrs Ajit Kaur Balley died on 16 March,2014.
She was a pious lady who stood by Balley Saheb like a shadow. Whenever I used to come to India, I visited Balley Saheb to discuss several important issues, she was the one who took care of all guests – food and lodging. Balley Saheb was busy in publishing Bheem Patrika and books. Balley Saheb knew Urdu, English, Punjabi, Hindi and Persian. I always found that Balley Saheb office in city and later in Ambedkar Bhawan was always full with people; workers, leaders and followers. Balley Saheb was shining like a star. I witnessed people from far off villages used to come to Balley Saheb to seek advice and suggestions. Balley Saheb was a fearless, staunch, dedicated and honest Ambedkarite who asked for financial assistance to publish books by Dr Ambedkar or on Dr Ambedkar.
Balley Saheb is the first Ambedkarite in Punjab who started publishing pamphlets and books on Dr. Ambedkar. The pamphlets price is just Rs.2/- at that time. One day I asked Balley Saheb how you manage publication at such low price, his reply was that, Baba Saheb mission is my whole life. He further said, “my mission is to spread the name of Dr. Ambedkar among the SCs/STs who are doing labour jobs and cannot afford high price, this lower price for them so that they can read baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar literature.” This is how Balley Saheb carried forward Baba Saheb mission from village to village in Punjab and other states of India. I meet thousands of people when I come to in India, I found leaders keep pamphlets written by Balley Saheb in their hands to deliver lecture. His pamphlets and books are full of knowledge and references. Balley Saheb published books like Annihilation of Caste , Rangila Gandhi, Hinduism Dharam Ja Kalank. The opponents from various Hindu groups filed court cases against Balley Saheb and harassed him. Balley Saheb was a great, fearless leader and author, he won all the court cases. Balley Saheb published books in several languages to spread the message of Dr. Ambedkar.
At the age of 14, I moved to United Kingdom and settled permanently. At that time, I was young. I heard Balley Saheb name and came to know Balley Saheb was visiting the United Kingdom and delivering lecture at various places. In 1967 Balley Saheb came first time to the United Kingdom on the invitation of Republican Group of Britain. The sponsorship for obtaining UK visa was sent by Khushi Ram Pardesi. Balley Saheb stayed most of the time at his house. Parabdyal from Bootan Mandi( District Jalandhar) was also living in neighborhoood who later shifted to Hounslow. Ravi Dutt Shinmar was the President of Guru Ravi Dass Welfare Association, Wolverhampton. He was also a trustee of Dr. Ambedkar Bhawan Jalandhar. In Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Bishan Das Bains and his brothers made sincere efforts to spread the message of Dr. Ambedkar in the United Kingdom.
In 1967, Balley Saheb stayed three months in the United Kingdom, every day , in the evening we all used to have a meeting with Ambedkarites and Buddhists either at someone house or in the club. The result of these meetings that Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Committee,
Wolverhampton came into existence, the purpose of which was to support organizations and societies in India and establish Buddha Vihara in several parts of the United Kingdom like Bradford, Southall, Birmingham. Balley Saheb kindled fire of Ambedkarism among Dalits residing in the United Kingdom by his fiery speeches. Some of the Maharashtrian and Punjabis who were living nearby came to meet Balley Saheb. In his speeches Balley Saheb quoted Dr. Ambedkar books which impacted our minds. Balley Saheb hat was popular among the majority of Ambedkarites and Buddhists in the United Kingdom.
In Scotland, Sohan Lal sampla worked with Balley Saheb. Balley Saheb was received by Sohan Lal Sampla and other Ambedkarites and he was given a warm welcome at the station. In a big hall, public function was arranged. Balley Saheb spoke half an hour partly in Punjabi and partly in English. Some English men and women were present in the function. Balley Saheb spoke very well. After the function, every one rushed to Balley Saheb to shake hands and took his autographs. Balley Saheb was a crowd puller. He was effective and impressive orator. His speeches changed the minds of the people around him. Whosoever comes into his contact become a Ambedkarite and Buddhist such was the aura of Balley Saheb.
Balley Saheb was invited by several Ambedkarites and Buddhist organizations to the United Kingdom in 1976, 1985, 1986 and 1988. I used to drive a van in which all important members including Balley Saheb sat. I feel proud that Balley Saheb is my GURU and shall remain till last breath of my life. In 1988 Balley Saheb came to United Kingdom to participate in Buddha`s Light International Association (BLIA), UK Chapter along with late Shanti Swaroop Shant. Balley Saheb stayed at my home several times. We used to have delicious food with him. We used to discuss several important issues till late night. Balley Saheb was a down- to- earth man who never gave any trouble to anyone. His nature was adjustable to any kind of environment.
Chanan Chahal was a great personality. He was also very close to Balley Saheb. He was a voracious reader and good orator. He used visit Balley Saheb on every trip to India and had discussions and sought guidance from Balley Saheb how to promote Ambedkarism and Buddhism in the United Kingdom. He was an executive member of Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist organizations (FABO), UK. Due to space constraint, I am not able to mention the names of all of those who met and had meeting with Balley Saheb during his subsequent visits to the United Kingdom.
Balley Saheb was a great personality who motivated all of us to establish Buddha Viharas and Ambedkar Centre in the United Kingdom. It was Balley Saheb who first kindled the fire of Ambedkarism and Buddhism in the United Kingdom. Because of him we are able to carry forward Dr. Ambedkar`s mission in the United Kingdom. All of us shall remain indebted to him.
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