Kashi’s Collective Farewell: Remembering the Teacher of Social Movements
Memorial Report
Introduction
On 20 August 2025, Parāḍkar Bhavan in Varanasi witnessed a deeply moving and inspiring memorial gathering in honor of the late Anil Chaudhary, eminent educationist, mentor of social movements, and founder of PEACE. Organized jointly by Jan Mitra Nyas, PVCHR, IRCT, GHPF, JUSTER, and the UNVFVT, the event was not only a tribute but also became the annual conference of PVCHR, symbolically dedicated to Chaudhary’s legacy.
The Spirit of the Gathering
The event began with floral tributes and a moment of silence before Chaudhary’s portrait. Unlike conventional memorials in metropolitan cities, this gathering was unique because it was grounded in the lived experiences of the marginalized and oppressed communities—those to whom Anil Chaudhary had devoted his life. Survivors of torture and injustice shared their testimonies, turning the memorial into a collective act of social remembrance and empowerment.
One poignant moment came when Jatai, a torture survivor from Sonbhadra, broke down while narrating his ordeal. Dr. Lenin consoled him warmly, saying in Bhojpuri: “Why do you cry? There is nothing to fear. Stay strong.” This was not merely consolation, but a reaffirmation of Chaudhary’s grassroots tradition—speaking the language of the oppressed to instill courage and dignity.
Presiding over the event, Gandhian historian Dr. Mohammad Arif captured Chaudhary’s lifelong mission:
“Chaudhary Saheb will be remembered for three things: destroying communalism, defending democracy, and resisting globalization. Even in his final days, he healed wounds and gave people relief through compassion.”
Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, in his address, announced the institution of a biennial fellowship and Navdalit Samman in Chaudhary’s memory for PEACE activists. He placed Chaudhary alongside Shankar Guha Niyogi as one of the rare leaders who stayed away from the limelight, preferring to train communities quietly.
Jitendra Chahar, Executive Director of PEACE, emphasized that Chaudhary’s core belief was:
“Social change is not a project; it is a continuous social process.”
Journalist Abhishek Srivastava and Vijay Vineet shared personal reflections, while Abhijit Majumdar, head of Frontpage Publications, London, addressed the gathering in English, underlining the global relevance of Chaudhary’s thought.
Honoring Torture Survivors
A central feature of the event was the honoring of torture survivors from Sonbhadra—Jatai, Sonu, Nandlal, Dinesh, and Shivshankar—who shared their painful testimonies. Their recognition on stage, draped in shawls, symbolized that in Chaudhary’s philosophy, the oppressed themselves must be leaders of their struggles.
Special Recognitions
Several distinguished individuals were honored for their contributions:
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Vijay Vineet (Senior Journalist) – awarded the Navdalit Samman.
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Vyomesh Shukla (Poet), Advocate Che Guevara Raghuvanshi, Kamlesh Kumar Singh, and Pintu Gupta (Human Rights Activist) – honored with the Jan Mitra Samman.
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A.K. Lari (Senior Editor), Arvind Murti (Social Activist), Ashish Awasthi and Gyan Ji from Lucknow – were specially recognized for their longstanding association with Chaudhary’s struggles.
A Pluralist and Inclusive Tradition
The event exemplified Kashi’s pluralist and multicultural ethos, where journalists, poets, advocates, activists, and marginalized survivors stood together on one stage. The symbolism was powerful: social change is not about individuals but about communities and their empowerment.
Dr. Arif highlighted this in his closing remarks, affirming that Chaudhary’s life embodied three principles:
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Fight communalism.
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Defend democracy.
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Resist globalization.
Two books were released during the gathering:
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A collection of tribute essays on Anil Chaudhary, published by PEACE.
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“Dalits in Independent India” by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, published by Frontpage, London.
The memorial was not just a ritual offering but a living continuation of Anil Chaudhary’s struggle-oriented legacy. Survivors’ testimonies, recognition of grassroots activists, and intellectual reflections together ensured that his vision of “Whose issue, their struggle; whose struggle, their leadership” remains alive.
As Shruti Nagvanshi concluded in her vote of thanks, even correcting the language of “passing away” to reflect Chaudhary’s dislike for such terms, it became clear that the Varanasi tribute was profoundly inspired by his life philosophy, socially significant, and politically liberating.
With the timing coinciding with Pitru Paksha, the gathering symbolized not only a final offering (tarpan) but also the release of his spirit into thousands of bodies and voices that will continue the dream of liberation.
On 20 August 2025, Paradkar Bhawan in Varanasi became a historic site of remembrance and resistance as Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN), PVCHR, and partner organizations hosted their annual conference and memorial for Late Anil Chaudhary, the Guru of Social Movements. The gathering paid homage to Chaudhary’s enduring vision of democracy, justice, and human dignity while honoring survivors of torture with dignity and recognition. Dr. Mohammad Arif, noted Gandhian historian, reminded the audience that Chaudhary will always be remembered for his three principles — destroy communalism, defend democracy, and resist globalization. The event gained wide traction, with 26 media coverages (15 print, 10 online, and 1 advertisement), including reports in Gorakhpur News Line, Jubilee Post, Purvanchal News, Jan Chowk, and Breaking News Express, alongside video documentation. Special recognitions included the Neo-Dalit Award 2025 conferred on veteran journalist Vijay Vineet, the Jan Mitra Award 2025 bestowed upon Adv. Raghuvanshi Che Guevara (Guddu), Adv. Kamlendra Kumar Singh, poet Vyomesh Shukla, and human rights defender Pintu Gupta. The memorial was more than a tribute — it was a renewed commitment to continue Anil Chaudhary’s legacy of grassroots empowerment, human rights advocacy, and the fight against caste oppression and authoritarianism.
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