Ram Ekbal Singh Warsi
{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
Ram Ekbal Singh Warsi ({{circa|1922}} – 10 October 2016), also spelled Ram Iqbal Worsi, was an Indian freedom fighter, social thinker from Bhojpur, Bihar. Warsi was the name of his native village, which he added to his last name.{{Cite web|url=http://www.livehindustan.com/news/bihar/article1-freedom-fighter-of-bihar-named-as-gandhi-died-today-morning-574394.html|title=Freedom fighter of Bihar died today morning|last=Hindustan|first=Live|website=Live Hindustan|publisher=Hindustan Times Hindi paper|access-date=12 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012225818/http://www.livehindustan.com/news/bihar/article1-freedom-fighter-of-bihar-named-as-gandhi-died-today-morning-574394.html|archive-date=12 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}
Biography
Ram Eqbal worked in Rohtas Group of Industries as a manual worker, and became an activist for Indian Independence in 1938.{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091123/jsp/nation/story_11774027.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222182246/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1091123/jsp/nation/story_11774027.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2011|title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) {{!}} Nation {{!}} Warsi's different world|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=2016-10-10}} In 1942, he participated in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned, where he met socialist leaders Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161011/jsp/bihar/story_112916.jsp|title=Tributes pour in for 'Gandhi of Ara'|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=2016-10-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011171458/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161011/jsp/bihar/story_112916.jsp|archive-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}} He joined Subash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army in 1943.
Socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia had named Warsi as Gandhi of Piro (Piro ke Gandhi) in 1956, for his strong socialist views.{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/socialist-leader-ram-iqbal-worsi-dead/1/784112.html|title=Socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi dead|date=10 October 2016|website=India Today|access-date=10 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011055847/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/socialist-leader-ram-iqbal-worsi-dead/1/784112.html|archive-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite news|url=http://hindi.eenaduindia.com/State/Bihar/2016/08/14202913/story-of-freedom-fighter-Ram-iqbal-warsi.vpf|title=बोले 'शाहाबाद के गांधी', आज की सरकार दमन करना जानती है, समाज बनाना नहीं|newspaper=Eenadu English Portal|access-date=2016-10-10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011055933/http://hindi.eenaduindia.com/State/Bihar/2016/08/14202913/story-of-freedom-fighter-Ram-iqbal-warsi.vpf|archive-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}
He was elected an MLA from Piro (now named Tarari) constituency on a ticket from Samyukta Socialist Party in 1969.{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/patna-gandhi-of-piro-ram-iqbal-worsi-passes-away-at-94-3074987/|title='Gandhi of Piro' Ram Iqbal Worsi passes away at 94|date=10 October 2016|website=Indian Express|access-date=10 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011062723/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/patna-gandhi-of-piro-ram-iqbal-worsi-passes-away-at-94-3074987/|archive-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}} He represented the constituency in Bihar Legislative Assembly till 1972.
He left politics in 1972, but continued speaking for the marginalized and the poor.{{Cite news|url=http://www.jagran.com/bihar/patna-city-former-mla-and-gandhi-famed-leader-ram-ekbal-varsi-died-in-patna-aiims-14846240.html|title=Former MLA Ram Ekbal Warsi dies in Patna|newspaper=Dainik Jagran|access-date=2016-10-12}}
He didn't contest elections after 1969, finding the political system dishonest.
He refused to accept the pension he was sanctioned, as an MLA or as a freedom fighter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100902/jsp/bihar/story_12883396.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011060428/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100902/jsp/bihar/story_12883396.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 October 2016|title=PMO turns down CM's Netaji plea|last=The|first=Telegraph|date=September 2010|website=www.telegraphindia.com|access-date=10 October 2016}} He said: “Accepting pension for trying to liberate one’s home is a sin. And taking pension for serving people, as their elected representative, is a bigger sin,” Warsi lived his last few years in a run-down home in Rohtas, refused offers to contest more elections. His family had difficulty in making ends meet.
Death
Warsi died in Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS), Patna at the age of 94 years on 10 October 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cobrapost.com/news/adieu-socialist-leader-ram-iqbal-worsi/16809/2|title=Tearful adieu to freedom fighter and Socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi|last=Post|first=Cobra|date=2016-10-10|newspaper=Cobrapost|language=en|access-date=2016-10-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011060842/http://www.cobrapost.com/news/adieu-socialist-leader-ram-iqbal-worsi/16809/2|archive-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in his tribute said Warsi's "contribution in promoting socialist movement in Bihar would never be forgotten."