Jagdev Prasad (1922-1974)
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | September 5, 2001 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 4 |
| Quantity | 400,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 |
| Printer | Eagle Press Ltd. |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1849 Stamp Number IN 1908 Yvert et Tellier IN 1615 Stanley Gibbons IN 2015 |
| Themes | Commemoration | Famous people | Journalists | Literary People (Poets and Writers) | Men | Politicians |
Table of Contents
Jagdev Prasad (1922-1974)
Jagdev Prasad (1922-1974) was a prominent and fearless leader from Bihar who dedicated his life to advocating for the backward and downtrodden sections of society. Here’s an overview of his life and contributions:
Early Life and Education:
- Background: Born into a humble background, Jagdev Prasad faced numerous challenges while pursuing his education. Despite financial difficulties and caste-based ostracism, he persevered and earned a Master’s Degree in Economics from Patna University in 1950.
Political Career:
- Influence of Ram Manohar Lohia: Jagdev was greatly influenced by the socialist ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia. He joined the Socialist Party and worked towards addressing social inequalities and economic exploitation in post-independence India.
- Electoral Politics: In 1957, inspired by Lohia, he contested from the Sasaram Lok Sabha Constituency but lost. He re-entered politics in 1967, winning a seat in the Bihar Assembly from Kurtha. He played a significant role in forming the first coalition government in Bihar with Mahamaya Prasad Singh as Chief Minister and served as the Minister in-charge of Health.
- Formation of Shosit Dal: Disillusioned by the lack of representation for backward and downtrodden sections within the government, Jagdev Prasad left the coalition government and his party. He founded his own party, the ‘Shosit Dal,’ focusing on the upliftment of weaker sections. His efforts were marked by a series of coalition governments being formed and falling apart, reflecting his relentless struggle.
Advocacy and Legacy:
- Backward Classes Commission: Jagdev Prasad’s advocacy for the backward and downtrodden sections of society eventually led to the Union Government appointing the Backward Classes Commission, which implemented recommendations to address social disparities.
- Journalistic Career: He also made his mark as a journalist, starting with ‘Janata,’ the Socialist Party’s organ, and later editing ‘Citizen,’ an English weekly, and ‘Uday,’ a Hindi weekly.
Tragic End:
- Death: In 1974, Jagdev Prasad was tragically killed when he was shot in the neck during a police firing at a rally in Kurtha. His death occurred amidst the chaos of a political rally he was addressing.
The Department of Posts honors Jagdev Prasad by issuing a postage stamp commemorating his significant contributions to Indian politics and his relentless fight for social justice and upliftment of marginalized communities.