Agnivesh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swami
Agnivesh
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Agnivesh in 2019
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| Born |
Vepa Shyam Rao
21 September 1939 Srikakulam, Madras Presidency, British India
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| Died | 11 September 2020 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | Social worker, scholar, politician |
| Political party | Arya Sabha |
| Awards | Right Livelihood Award |
Swami Agnivesh (born Vepa Shyam Rao; 21 September 1939 – 11 September 2020) was an Indian social activist. He worked hard to help people, especially those who were forced to work without pay. He started a group called the Bonded Labour Liberation Front in 1981 to fight against this unfair practice.
He also founded a political party called Arya Sabha. This party was based on the ideas of Arya Samaj, a spiritual movement. Swami Agnivesh also served as a minister in the government of Haryana state. He was also the head of the World Council of Arya Samaj for ten years. From 1994 to 2004, he worked with the United Nations to fight against modern forms of slavery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Swami Agnivesh was born as Vepa Shyam Rao on September 21, 1939, in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. His father passed away when he was very young. His grandfather, who was a high-ranking official in a small kingdom called Sakti State, then raised him.
He studied Law and Business. Later, he became a teacher at St Xavier's College in Kolkata. For a short time, he also worked as a lawyer.
Working for Change
In 1970, Swami Agnivesh started his own political party, Arya Sabha. He became a member of the state assembly in Haryana in 1977. In 1979, he served as the Minister for Education.
Even while he was a minister, he started the Bonded Labour Liberation Front in 1981. This group worked to free people who were forced to work because of debts. Many of these people worked in stone quarries and brick factories. Swami Agnivesh continued to lead this important organization. He faced challenges for his work but was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
In 2011, Swami Agnivesh helped in talks with a group called Indian Maoists. He worked with other activists to help free five police officers who had been taken. He also tried to bring help to villages affected by conflict. He believed in talking to groups to solve problems.
Swami Agnivesh also joined the anti-corruption protests in India in 2011. He later had some disagreements with other protesters.
Helping Society
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Swami Agnivesh spoke at the United Nations Human Rights Commission about modern slavery. He also worked to improve the lives of women. His efforts helped in making a law in 1987 that stopped the old practice of Sati.
He believed that people should be free to move across different countries without many restrictions. He joined the Arya Samaj spiritual group in 1968. Even after some disagreements with the group, he continued to follow its core ideas.
In 1981, he founded the Bandhua Mukti Morcha (BMM). This non-profit organization worked hard to end forced labor. The BMM helped many people, including children, escape from difficult working conditions in places like quarries and carpet factories.
In 2008, he spoke at a big peace conference. He said it was wrong to blame a whole community for the actions of a few people. He also spoke about peace and brotherhood, saying that blaming religions for terrorism is wrong.
Swami Agnivesh was a strong supporter of different religions talking to each other. He was part of groups that encouraged understanding between faiths. He also spoke out for the rights of people who are often left out of society. He faced attacks for his work, but he continued to help people.
He led a march called Raj Bhawan Chalo in 2018 to remember a journalist. He also appeared on a reality TV show called Bigg Boss in 2011.
Challenges and Views
Swami Agnivesh sometimes had views that were different from traditional beliefs. In 2005, he said that the Puri Jagannath Temple should be open to everyone, not just Hindus. This upset some priests. In 2011, he said that an ice formation in Amarnath, which many believe resembles a god, was just ice. This also led to protests from some religious groups.
The Supreme Court of India reminded him to be careful with his words so as not to hurt people's feelings. In 2018, he was attacked by a group in Jharkhand while attending an event. His attackers accused him of being too sympathetic to Christian groups and against Hindus.
Death
Swami Agnivesh passed away on September 11, 2020, in New Delhi. He was 80 years old. Many people he had helped free from forced labor, including those who were children at the time, attended his funeral.
Accolades
- Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (2004) – for religious harmony
- Right Livelihood Award (2004) – from Sweden
- M. A. Thomas National Rights Award (2006)
Works
Books
- Vaidik Samaajvad – Vedic Socialism (Hindi), 1974
- Religion Revolution and Marxism (Hindi and English)
- Harvest of Hate: Gujarat Under Siege, with Valson Thampu. 2002.
- Religion, Spirituality and Social Action New Agenda for Humanity: New Agenda for Humanity, 2003.
- Hinduism in the New Age, 2005.
Magazines
- Rajdharma (fortnightly) – Chief editor (1968–1978)
- Kranti Dharmi (monthly) – Chief editor (1989–1991)
Images for kids
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Agnivesh (left) at an Amnesty International event in New Delhi with Teesta Setalvad.
