The passing away of Mr Anil Chaudhary ji is a huge loss for all those who are working for a better world with equal human rights, without piles of nuclear weapons and focussed on eradicating poverty and inclusive of all the citizens. Unlike many others, in the social sector, he enjoyed doing what he did yet rarely claiming the credit. Though Anil ji was not keeping well for last few months but none expected that he would go this soon. It is an extremely sorrowful and sad moment for those who knew him and enjoyed his hospitality. One can find him in encouraging and patronising numerous grassroot activists all over the country. He filled a sense of secular liberal ideological thoughts in the civil society and NGOs when everything was purely ‘professional’.
I had known about his work when he along with many other took initiative for the secular cause in the aftermath of Babari Masjid demolition. That was the age when hundreds of civil society groups, NGOs, People’s movement, academics, journalists joined hand and it was people like him who remain behind the scene yet doing everything. Though, I was never a part of the network yet he knew me through my work and had been appreciating my view point.
There were occasions when we met and both outside as well as his office.
Most of the activists who used to visit Delhi, PEACE office was the first one, they would visit. And each of them would unhesitatingly say that Anil ji and his team was one of the most gracious hosts. It is rare for an organisation and man to open his place for all. They would come to Delhi, stay at his office and have their meals and do their work elsewhere and go. This was rare.
At the time, when civil society and social movement leaders too become ‘larger than life’ and have big egos if not invited to ‘speak’ or honorable guests, he was a rare breed. He would sit behind and just listen, chat with friends and go. For me, this was one of the biggest qualities of Anil ji. He had so much in him with a background of the initial days of JNU but he never harped on them. He was focussed on educating and training younger generations activists. The temptation of ‘Mic’ and ‘Front benches’ never attracted him and that is a lesson for all of us. Some time, we need to leave things for others to do.
He was uncompromising on the principles of Secularism, inclusive politics and social justice. He came at the age when some of his contemporaries became ‘neutral’ and wanted to believe as if no ‘ideology’ is the best ideology. Yes, that resulted in their getting great support from the power but Anil Ji and his team continued its focus on inclusive democracy, secularism, rights of the Dalits and Adivasis. He was not rigid and would be ready to listen to different view point.
It is a sad moment. We have lost a veteran who encouraged young activists all over the country. He faced difficulties too with the government but faced it with great courage of convictions. Such powerful uncompromising voices are rare in our public discourse. His work was built on a long term commitment and not only stealing limelight with one or two events and their ‘chief guests’. He was that way, a man of conviction and courage.
This is a critical moment and we all needed him more because of the crisis that civil society and social movements are facing because various pulls and pressure. His death is a big blow but his idealism and convictions will always inspire generations of activists to follow the path of secular liberal inclusive values in our lives.
A big salute to Anil Chaudhary ji.
Vidya Bhushan Rawat is a social activist
