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Draft:Sitawati Devi

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{{AFC comment|1=potentially could be accepted if the references are fixed, Wikipedia source removed and reliable sources added NiftyyyNofteeeee (talk) 13:29, 22 April 2025 (UTC)}}

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{{Short description|Mother of B.P. Mandal}}

{{Draft topics|biography|south-asia}}

{{AfC topic|other}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Sitawati Mandal

| image = Sitawati Devi.png

| caption = Sitawati Mandal, the wife of Ras Bihari Lal Mandal and mother of B.P. Mandal

| known_for = Mother of B.P. Mandal (Mandal Commission), Inspiration for social justice

| spouse = Ras Bihari Lal Mandal

| children = B.P. Mandal

}}

Sitawati Mandal was the mother of Bindheshwari Prasad Mandal (B. P. Mandal), the noted Indian politician, social justice advocate, and chairman of the Mandal Commission. Although she led a private and traditional life as a rural woman, her ideals and values deeply influenced her son, who later became instrumental in shaping affirmative action policies for the backward classes in India.

Early Life and Family Background

Sitawati Devi was married to Rash Bihari Lal Mandal, a prominent Yadav landlord, social reformer, and freedom fighter from the Murho Estate in present-day Madhepura district, Bihar. He was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress in Bihar and was known for his progressive stance on social issues.

Sitawati Devi gave birth to B. P. Mandal on 25 August 1918 in Varanasi, where her husband was undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, Ras Bihari Lal Mandal passed away a day after B. P. Mandal's birth. Sitawati Devi, along with her elder son Kamleshwar Mandal, took responsibility for raising B. P. Mandal. Her nurturing and guidance played a crucial role in shaping her son’s character and his passion for social justice.

{{Cite web |title=Ras Bihari Lal Mandal and Sitawati Devi |url= |website= }}

Social Role and Influence

While Sitawati Devi did not engage in public life or hold any official position, her role as a mother was foundational. She instilled in her son the importance of self-respect, social equity, and the need to uplift marginalized communities.

These teachings were evident in B. P. Mandal's later contributions, especially as the head of the Mandal Commission, which recommended reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and education.

{{Cite web |title=B. P. Mandal and the Mandal Commission |url= |website= }}

Legacy

Though Sitawati Devi remains a lesser-known figure in Indian history, her influence on one of the most important social justice movements in post-independence India is undeniable. Her life and guidance helped shape policies that transformed the socio-political structure of the nation.

{{Cite web |title=Sitawati Devi and Her Influence on B. P. Mandal |url= |website= }}

References

  • {{cite web |title=Remembering B.P. Mandal: The Imperative Voice For The Cause Of OBCs |url=https://feminisminindia.com/2021/08/25/remembering-b-p-mandal-the-imperative-voice-for-the-cause-of-obcs/ |website=Feminism In India |date=24 August 2021 |access-date=20 April 2025}}
  • {{cite web |title=मूक क्रांति के नायक बी. पी. मंडल का जीवन और समाज में योगदान |url=https://www.forwardpress.in/2020/08/bahujan-hero-bp-mandal-life-hindi/ |website=Forward Press |date=25 August 2020 |language=hi |access-date=20 April 2025}}
  • {{cite web |title=Ras Bihari Lal Mandal |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rash_Bihari_Lal_Mandal |website=Wikipedia |access-date=20 April 2025}}
  • Bihar State Archives (Patna) — Genealogy and records of Murho Zamindars.
  • Mandal, B.P. *Report of the Backward Classes Commission*. 1980.

See also