Abdul Bari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Abdul Bari 1892 Kansua, Jehanabad BiharBombay Presidency,British India |
| Died | 28 March 1947(1947-03-28) (aged 54–55) Khusrupur, Bihar Province, British India |
| Cause of death | Shot near Fatuah Railway Crossing |
| Resting place | Peermohani Qabristan, Patna |
| Occupation | President of Tata Worker's Union |
| Years active | 1917–1947 |
| Organization | Tata Steel Workers Union |
| Known for | Played active role to unite worker section of Bihar, Bengal and Orissa for freedom struggle movement in 1921, 1922 and 1942 |
| Term | 1936–1947 |
| Predecessor | Subhas Chandra Bose |
| Successor | Michael John |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Movement | Quit India Movement |
Abdul Bari[1] (1892–1947) was an Indian freedom activist, academic and social reformer. He sought to bring about social reform in Indian society by awakening people through education.[2] He had a vision of India free from slavery, social inequality, and communal disharmony.[3] He took part in the freedom movement, for which he was killed.[4][5][6] He was against theTwo-nation theory.[7][8]
Abdul Bari was born on 21 January 1884 to Md Qurban Ali as the eldest of 4 children. He was born in Kansua but was a resident ofKoilwar. He was a descendant ofMalik Ibrahim Baya, a 14th century sufi saint and warrior.[9]
He got admitted in the T. K. Ghosh Academy, Patna and completed his matriculation from the same. Later in 1918, he completed Master of Arts fromPatna University.[9]
In 1937, he made his first historical agreement with the TISCO (nowTata Steel) management.[10]
Bari served as the president of theBihar Pradesh Congress Committee from 1946 until his death on 28 March 1947. He was killed by three men who shot at him after an altercation byBari Path inKhusrupur,Bihar Province, during a stopover on his return fromDhanbad toPatna.[11] In his tribute,Mahatma Gandhi stated that Bari "lived like afakir in the service of his countrymen." Then Congress PresidentJ. B. Kripalani said, "His death has robbed India [sic] one of its bravest and most selfless soldiers of freedom. He was utterly free from communal bias and knew himself only as an Indian. His was a dedicated life filled with a passion for the service of the working classes."[12]
On the first death anniversary of Bari, Rajendra Prasad recalled his contribution to the nation through a message dated 22 March 1948 published inMazdur Avaz.[13][14]
Abdul Bari was married to Zulaikha Begum, a resident of Koilwar. They had 2 sons (Salahuddin Bari and Shahabuddin Bari) and 3 daughters (Tahira, Hamida, Saeeda) together.[9]
The Government of Bihar namedBari Path, a Road andAbdul Bari Bridge, a Bridge as a tribute to Abdul Bari.[15][16]
On March 20, 2021 and On March 28, 2024, The Tata Workers Union led by Sanjiv Kumar Chowdhary, the president of TWU paid tribute to Abdul Bari on his death anniversary.[17][18]