The Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation held a tribute ceremony in New Delhi on 6 July to mark the 40th death anniversary of the freedom fighter and former Union minister.
The programme began at Samta Sthal near Delhi Gate and was followed by a Sarva Dharam prayer at 6, Krishna Menon Marg. The foundation functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Minister of State B. L. Verma were among those who offered floral tributes.
Ministry secretary Sudhansh Pant, other officials, members of Parliament, foundation representatives and followers of Jagjivan Ram also attended the commemoration.
Jagjivan Ram combined work in the freedom movement with a long career in government and Parliament. He served for about 35 years as a Union Cabinet minister and became closely associated with policies concerning social justice and the representation of marginalised communities.
As Food and Agriculture Minister, he played a role during the expansion of the Green Revolution and efforts to strengthen India's food security. He later served as Defence Minister during the 1971 India-Pakistan war and the events that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The anniversary event presented those offices as parts of a wider public legacy rather than as isolated appointments. Speakers and organisers linked his work with equality, inclusive development and national institution-building.
The foundation used the ceremony to reaffirm its commitment to carrying forward Jagjivan Ram's ideals. The commemoration itself did not announce a new scheme; its purpose was remembrance and renewed attention to the social-justice concerns associated with his public life.
