Many might be unaware that Kanshi Ram, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder, had a seven-month stint in Dehradun way back in 1955 when he had joined the Survey of India (SoI), but not octogenarian SP Goel who shared a room with the Dalit leader.
During his Dehradun sojourn, which stretched for about seven months, Kanshi Ram lived in a rented room with Goel, who was then posted in the Survey of India, for three months in the beginning. Goel, who lives in Rest Camp area of Dehradun, recalled that Kanshi Ram had a mission to do something for Dalits and poor even when he joined as a topo-computer in the SoI. It reflected in his dialogues.
It was Goel who offered to share accommodation with Kanshi Ram when he came to know that latter required one. "Kanshi Ram told several people that he required a room on rent. When I came to know that Kanshi Ram wants to take a room on rent, I went to him and said that he may live in my room," said Goel, who then used to live in a rented accommodation on Curzon road.
Goel recollected that Kanshi Ram used to have a long chat with Pyara Singh Bains who was also posted in the Survey of India. In his discussions, he wanted to find out a way to organise weaker sections and Dalit people. Eventually, he succeeded in materialising his dreams into reality.
Kanshi Ram was very health conscious. Goel recalled that Kanshi Ram used to get laddus, comprising wheat flour and almonds pieces, from his native place in Punjab. Goel, who savoured several pieces, recalled that the laddus were mouth watering.
He was a well built man. He used to do exercise regularly. It was Goel who introduced Kanshi Ram to some tourist spots in the area. Goel and Kanshi Ram together visited Kempty Falls, Mussoorie. "Even on way to the Mussoorie, he expressed his concern for Dalits, saying that he wanted to do something for them," Goel remembers.
Moreover, the SoI organised a cycle race in which Kanshi Ram participated and stood second.
Kanshi Ram was promoted as surveyor (technical) after three months. He, then, left the room and started living alone. In the meantime, he was selected for a post in the High Energy Materials Research laboratory (HEMRl) at the Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO), Pune.
Kanshi Ram left Dehradun to join the office of HEMRl. It was then Goel lost touch with Kanshi Ram. He said that when he came to know that Kanshi Ram, who founded the BSP, was the same person that shared room with him, he wrote to him thrice, but the later never replied. Eventually, he also gave up.
He said that he had never thought that the man living with him will become an icon for the underprivileged in the near future. He said that Kanshi Ram achieved what he thought in his mind. He said that Kanshi Ram proved that dedication and commitment towards the goal can make everything possible.