17 Jan, 2012 Delhi  : All activists, leaders and staff of Bachpan Bachao Andolan has expressed deep sorrow at the loss of Mr. Hazari Lal Jatolia, one of its founding pillars who passed away this morning. Mr. Jatolia was a leader and voice of hundreds of thousands of socially backward and downtrodden people. He was one of the leaders who led the struggle for “Harijan” right to entry at the historic Nathwara temple where backward castes were not allowed to enter for centuries.

He has been an outstanding social activist for the last five decades initiating several campaigns for the rights of most deprived sections of society including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, and has spearheaded the Rin Mukti Andolan (debt relief movement) in India, that has resulted in over 200,000 debt ridden families getting relief.His contribution during his long association with BBA has been a guiding force for many, both in his public and private life. Mr. Jatolia stood up for human rights for oppressed women, victims of domestic violence and rape in the villages of Rajasthan, India.

Even at the age of 76, he was as as energetic as a young activist. At the condolence meet, Mr. R. S. Chaurasia, chairperson, BBA recounted, “His life was synonymous with struggle. Even at the time of his death, he was fighting for the rights of the girls of Raigar Jaati. When he visited Delhi just two months back, he had a bundle of complaints to be filed in high court.”

Mr. Hazari Lal Jatolia life’s mission was to protect the human rights of the socially or economically backward communities, develop an awareness in them and above all, uplift the conditions of the poor. He has been successful winning many cases in the Supreme Court of India that brought relief to hundreds of thousands of people trapped between State and private ownership of forests and other natural resources. He was and will continue to be a much-respected figure in Rajasthan. BBA activists extended their deepest condolence and prayed that his soul may rest in peace.