Comrade Dhanwantri: The Forgotten Revolutionary of Jammu & Kashmir

By Ravi Rohmetra 

On the 72nd death anniversary of Comrade Dhanwantri, who passed away on 13th July 1953, we remember the great revolutionary national hero, a son of the soil. He gave exemplary sacrifices, fighting alongside Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Raj Guru, and many others for India’s freedom. Legends never die; they remain etched in the memory of generations to come. Comrade Dhanwantri is one such immortal revolutionary character in the history of the Indian freedom struggle.

A great son of the soil, Comrade Dhanwantri continues to inspire millions who believe in human values and freedom. Simply installing a statue or naming a university library after him is not enough to keep his memory alive. Comrade Dhanwantri was a visionary, a brave freedom fighter, and a progressive comrade. He was the only one from Jammu and Kashmir who actively participated in the country’s independence movement until India gained independence from British imperialism. He was a close associate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Born on 7th March 1922 in Kali Jani, Jammu, Comrade Dhanwantri was the son of Dr. Durga Dutt Mahey, a colonel in the British Army. He passed his matriculation from Sri Ranbir High School in Jammu and then joined Lahore College to study Ayurveda. During his studies, he joined the revolutionary movement and dedicated his life to the cause of India’s freedom. Endowed with striking revolutionary qualities, he quickly became a close confidant of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and was a co-founder of the Bharat Naujawan Sabha and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

He was arrested on 17th December 1929 after ASP Saunder was shot by Bhagat Singh. Comrade Dhanwantri was released after enduring a month-long interrogation and torture. On 4th December 1930, he shot at the SP who was investigating the case against Bhagat Singh in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. The SP was grievously injured, but Dhanwantri’s associate was killed. Comrade Dhanwantri was apprehended after a hot chase and exchange of fire. He was tried in the famous Lahore Conspiracy and Delhi Conspiracy cases (the bombing of the train carrying the Viceroy). Along with top revolutionaries, he was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment in the notorious Cellular Jail in Andaman (Kala Pani).

To protest the lodging of political prisoners with hardened criminals in the Andaman Jail, Dhanwantri led a successful hunger strike for 61 days. The British government was forced to yield, and all political prisoners were repatriated to the mainland. Comrade Dhanwantri was released in 1939 after serving ten years of rigorous imprisonment, only to be rearrested due to the outbreak of World War II. He was released in 1947 when India gained independence.

Upon his return to Jammu in 1947, Comrade Dhanwantri served as a political advisor to the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He endured over 17 years of imprisonment, isolation, and torture during his time in British jails, out of his total adult life of 34 years. Comrade Dhanwantri earned Jammu and Kashmir a place of pride in the roll of honor of legendary Indian revolutionaries. He breathed his last on 13th July 1953 in his native place, Jammu. He was the only man from Jammu and Kashmir who participated in India’s independence movement alongside Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqullah Khan. The British had put him under bars in Kala Pani until India gained independence.

Later, he served as a political advisor to the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Dhanwantri accompanied Bhagat Singh when Saunders, the British police officer responsible for the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai, was shot in Lahore in 1928. A committed communist, Comrade Dhanwantri was jailed for ten years in Kala Pani (Port Blair). After his return in the early 1940s, he came to Jammu and founded and guided movements for farmers, youth, students, and writers. He also played a key role in guiding the National Conference in drafting the Naya Kashmir Program. He was instrumental in the abolition of big landed estates and other revolutionary pro-people measures. Comrade Dhanwantri was the guiding force for political activists in the state during the crucial period after 1947.

Unfortunately, Comrade Dhanwantri passed away on 13th July 1953 at the age of 51. Figures like Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq, Girdhari Lal Dogra, Moti Ram Baigra, Ram Pyare Saraf, Krishna Dev Sethi, and many others sought his blessings and guidance during those crucial times. After the arrest of Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev, and other great leaders, Comrade Dhanwantri became in charge of the revolutionary party.

However, it is regrettable that the names of such great leaders are scarcely found in the textbooks taught in the schools of Jammu and Kashmir. Justice R.P. Sethi (Retd. Judge of the Supreme Court of India) visited the Andaman and Nicobar jails, specifically the room where Comrade Dhanwantri spent 10 years of his life. He paid great tributes to him and placed a beautiful photograph of Comrade Dhanwantri, which was brought by his associate, Krishna Dev Sethi, from Jammu.

The citizens of Jammu therefore request the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take this matter seriously and take necessary steps to commemorate the legacy of Comrade Dhanwantri. This can be done by naming a park, road, school, university, college, airport, or erecting a statue of Comrade Dhanwantri at an appropriate place in Jammu. This would be a true homage to the great leader.

Our country is celebrating 75 years of independence (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav). The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events and sacrifices made by thousands of freedom fighters. However, there are many unsung heroes who also played a crucial role in India’s freedom movement. Jammu and Kashmir has one such unsung hero, Comrade Dhanwantri, who is less known even to the people of his birthplace since his death in 1953. It has been almost 72 years since his passing, but is this sufficient to honor such a great personality who dedicated his entire life to the nation?

(The writer is a Social activist and freelancer and can be reached at Mob :- 9419652999 E – mail :- [email protected] )