B. Shyam Sunder

B. Shyam Sunder (21 December 1908 – 19 May 1975) was a political thinker, jurist, prolific writer, parliamentarian and a revolutionary leader.

Early life and education Sunder was born into a Mala family in Aurangabad Cantonment, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, then part of the princely state of Hyderabad. He completed his schooling in Aurangabad. He visited the Ajanta Caves and later moved with his family to Hyderabad, where he enrolled at Osmania University. He studied political science and economics and later obtained a law degree. Sunder spoke Urdu, English, and Marathi. He served as a member of the Senate and Syndicate of Osmania University. He entered politics through the student wing of the Depressed Classes Association, serving as its general secretary before becoming its president in 1947.

In 1937, Sunder established the Dalit–Muslim unity movement at Parbhani, then in Aurangabad district. He advocated cooperation between Dalit and Muslim communities. He later served as a legislator representing Andhra Pradesh and Mysore State.

In 1956, Sunder established the All India Federal Association of Minorities in Hyderabad. In 1968, he organised a movement for Bahujans in Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh, and adopted the slogan "India is ours" in connection with the movement. He later established the Bhim Sena, a voluntary organisation, in Gulbarga, Karnataka. The organisation subsequently expanded to other parts of India. V. T. Rajshekar, editor of Dalit Voice, described Sunder as the "Father of Dalit movements in India".

Political career Sunder practised law for a brief period before joining the Swadeshi movement, which was associated with the leadership of Sarojini Naidu. He later served as its general secretary in Andhra Pradesh. He was elected president of the Literary Society of Hyderabad and became a member of the Exhibition Society of Hyderabad. He was elected unopposed from the graduates' constituency to the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly and later served as its deputy speaker.

Sunder was a member of the Nizam of Hyderabad's delegation to the United Nations. P. R. Venkataswamy, author of Our Struggle for Emancipation, described Sunder's involvement in the Depressed Classes movement as significant and recorded that he was referred to as Qaid-e-Pusthakhome, translated as "Leader of the Depressed Classes". The Nizam of Hyderabad awarded Sunder the Khusro-e-Deccan. V. T. Rajshekar, editor of Dalit Voice, wrote about Sunder and the Bhim Sena.

Dalit-Muslim unity movement

He was associated with the Dalit–Muslim Unity Movement. At one of its conferences, a resolution was adopted calling for opposition to untouchability and the caste system. He delivered a 64-page presidential address, Khutbe-e-Sadarat, which discussed the caste system and cooperation between Dalit and Muslim communities. He was described by some sources as a pro-Muslim leader.

Address to the UN Security Council Sunder was a member of the Nizam of Hyderabad's delegation to the United Nations Security Council. He was described as one of the first leaders from post-independence India to address the UN Security Council. As a representative of the Depressed Classes, he spoke about the social conditions and discrimination faced by these communities in India. He compared the situation of the Depressed Classes with racial segregation in the United States.

Bhim Sena

Sunder founded the Bhim Sena in Gulbarga district, Karnataka, on 29 April 1968, the 77th anniversary of the birth of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The organisation was named after Ambedkar. It was described as a self-defence movement based on non-violence and opposition to caste-based violence against Dalits. One source estimated its membership at approximately 200,000 Dalits. The movement has been described as a challenge to the Hindu caste system and as a caste-based rather than class-based movement. Sunder advocated separate political and educational institutions for Dalits and proposed the establishment of a separate state, which he called Dalitastan.

Publications 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