Ramswaroop Verma

Ramswaroop Verma (22 August 1923 – 19 August 1998) was an Indian humanist. He was the founder of Arjak Sangh, a humanist organisation. The organisation emphasises social equality and is strongly opposed to Brahminism. Verma denied the existence of god and soul. He was strongly opposed to the doctrine of Karma and Fatalism. Verma campaigned tirelessly against Brahminism and Untouchability. According to him, Brahminism is rooted in the doctrine of rebirth and it is not possible to eradicate it without attacking the doctrine of rebirth. Verma strongly asserts that Brahminism cannot be reformed, and it has to be negated totally.

Biography Ramswaroop Verma was born on 22 August 1923 in Gaurikaran village of Kanpur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. He was born into a Kurmi peasant family. Verma was married to Siyadulari as a student, but his wife died soon.

Ramswaroop Verma completed his M.A. in Hindi from Allahabad University in the year 1949, and Law Graduation from Agra University. In both the examinations he secured first position in the first class in the University. He qualified in the written examination of the Indian Administrative Services, but did not appear for the interview. Verma was of the view that an administrator has to work within limitations. His intention was to work for social change as a free citizen. He came in contact of prominent Indian democratic socialist leaders of his time such as Acharya Narendra Dev and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. Consequently, he performed a member of the Socialist Party. Several times he was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. In 1967, For some time his role was as the finance minister of Uttar Pradesh in the government headed by Charan Singh, who later acted the prime minister of India.

After being active in party politics for a long time, Verma concluded that political and economic equality could not be achieved without a social and cultural revolution. Consequently, he founded Arjak Sangh on 1 June 1968 for achieving this aim. He also started Arjak Saptahik, a Hindi weekly. He was the chief editor of the weekly. Verma was also influenced and inspired by B. R. Ambedkar. Verma was active in party politics for a long time. However, he is best known and remembered as a thinker, writer and the founder of Arjak Sangh. He kept working for Arjak Sangh throughout his life. He kept writing articles and books and delivered many lectures for promoting Humanism. Ramswaroop Verma wrote and spoke in Hindi only. He died in Lucknow on 19 August 1998.

The Arjak Sangh, an organisation founded by Verma was also active in the obliteration of Brahminism and the emancipation of downtrodden Chamars in the several belts of Uttar Pradesh. It was supported by other organisations working in this field and Verma himself visited several places where the discrimination against the Dalits were recorded.

Books by Ramswaroop Verma Manavwadi Prashnotri (Humanist Question-Answers), Lucknow: Arjak Sangh, 1984. Kranti Kyon aur Kaise (Revolution: Why and How?), Lucknow: Arjak Sangh, 1989. Manusmriti Rashtra ka Kalank (Manusmriti a National Shame), Lucknow: Arjak Sangh, 1990. Niradar kaise mite? (How to Remove Disrespect?) Lucknow: Arjak Sangh, 1993. Achuton ki Samasya aur Samadhan (The Question of Untouchables and its Solution) Lucknow: Arjak Sangh, 1984.