OBITUARY:

Thakorbhai Shah
A veteran Trade Unionist and Secular Humanist of Gujarat

Amar Jesani and Vibhuti Patel

Veteran Trade Union leader of Gujarat, Thakorbahi Shah passed away due to massive heart attack
after attending a meeting of the network of social movements in Gujarat on 10-04-04 in Vadodara at
the age of 76. For 60 years he remained active in the public life in the pre-indepence period as a
freedom fighter and in the post independence period as a social activist championing the cause of
downtrodden people.

From Foot-Soldier to Organiser (1942-1970):

He worked as a foot soldier of the freedom movement during 1940s. In the post independence
period, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlala Nehru entrusted him with the crucial task of cadre building
through the camps and experiential learning under the umbrella of Seva Dal. He was an editor of
Navbharat (Hindi journal dedicated to the cause of Nation Building) during 1950s and 1960s and
Prajasattak (A Gujarati fortnightly with the left leaning) during 1970s. He trained two generations of
activists and thinkers of different social movements through out India and some of them are also
working globally.

In the post-independence period, he organised youth camps throughout India- from Kanyakumari to
Kashmir and From Gujarat to Assam for Sevadal, based on Gandhian principle of BUNIYADI
TALEEM (Basic Education). He produced hundreds of stalwarts who are making valuable
contributions in the social movements. For two decades, he continuously brought out a journal/
newsletter called "Prajasattak" in Gujarati. He was a founder member of Vadodara Kamdar Union in
1975 (during Emergency rule) from where, during late eighties Narmada Bachao Andolan flourished.
Local vested interests had made attempts on his life several times for his support for the working
class and environmental causes and his fight against communal forces. Needless to say, that did not
deter him from his spirited activities. He fearlessly continued his work for the social movements in a
non-violent, secular, constitutional and democratic manner.

Gandhiji’s grand daughter, Ela Gandhi from South Africa has expressed her feelings about
Thakorbhai in these words, “His work and dedication will live on and posterity will surely remember
his dedication and courage.”

1970 onwards - New Turn in Thakorbhai’s Life:

During 1969 communal carnage in Gujarat, he worked among the victims of Vadodara. By early
seventies, he has started working with young students and the retrenched and victimized workers of
cotton textile industry. We worked with him to form Vadodara Kamgar Union. During Navnirman
agitation in 1973-74, he used the space of his paper to express needs, demands and aspirations of the
masses against corruption, black-marketing and hoarding of grains by wholesale merchants. During
caste riots in 1980s, he got immersed in expressing his solidarity with the young dalit youth and
relief operations.

In his leaving us, we have lost an experienced, dedicated and hardworking public figure furthering

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the cause of the toiling poor. His electrifying personality and radiant smile in the midst of adversity
were irreplaceable.

Role Model for Younger Generation

In the condolence meeting organized on 17th April, 2004 in Vadodara’s Abbas Hall, the social
activists and political workers of all progressive and left forces in Gujarat were present. Most of
them were youngsters who considered him their role model. He was always ready to learn from
others, in spite of his rich, varied and challenging experiences.

He believed in thorough research before taking up any action. In spite of his demanding work of
trade union activities, he kept himself abreast with local, regional and global developments in all
social movements-secular, dalit, workers, environment and human rights. Periodically he organized
camps for the union and social activists, to discuss important and contemporary themes.

Achin Vanaik has paid a moving tribute to Thakorbhai in the following sentences, “I was fortunate
enough to know and be associated with Thakhorbhai for several years. He was an embodiment of
calm and dignified solidity. His physical presence alone seemed to impart a sense of quiet confidence
to all around. Thakorbhai was throughout his life an unwavering fighter in the struggle for a more
just society, a true socialist dedicating his whole life to the working class movement of which he was
a major leader in Gujarat. In a way the manner of his death --while addressing a public meeting --
was expressive of his enduring determination and unwavering dedication to the working class
movement. It is with great sadness that I have received this news of his passing away. In our own
journeys through life there are at best a few people we meet whom we can respect and admire for
both their personal qualities and their impressive commitments and activities. Thakorbhai was an
inspiration to all who knew him. Red Salute.”

Jagdish Parikh, who is working for Human Rights Watch, USA was Thakorebhai’s co-worker in his
formative years duing 1970s. His emotionally charged response echoes the feelings of hundreds of
workers and political activists for whom he was a major source of inspiration, “Departure of
Thakorbhai means loss of inspiration and moral guiding force. His un-tiring zeal for social justice
helped many to stay on course when other temptations of life were too strong to pull us away. In
some way, we remained indebted to him. His absence will be sorely felt and he will be hard to
replace. While Gujarat carnage was throwing us into a situation of total despair and a complete loss
of faith in humanity, the work carried by him helped us regain our faith and reminded many like me
of the presence of courageous souls like him. I suppose keeping our struggle for social justice alive
will be our fitting tribute to kind and courageous Thakorbhai. Whatever we say but we will miss him
dearly.”

His wife, Suryakantaben Shah, daughter, Dr. Trupti Shah, son-in-law, Rohit Prajapati and his son
Chirag Shah are following his foot-steps and furthering the cause of secular humanism and human
rights of marginalised sections of society in Vadodara.

Women’s Movement

Many of his close associates in the working class movement, later on pioneered women’s movement
in different parts of Gujarat. He always supported women’s causes in his personal capacity, at a
policy and programmatic levels and through public action. His daughter, Dr. Trupti Shah (then 10
years old), was the youngest activist in the Navnirman Movement in 1974. He, his wife, son,
daughter and son-in-law were on the same wave-length in terms of intellectual commitments and

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life-style. In his personal life and in the movement, he shared all types of work - cooking, cleaning
and caring. Feminists who came in contact with him, found this aspect of his personality very
endearing. He actively supported women’s cause through the union activities and as a sympathiser of
the women’s rights group Sahiyar.

Non-sectarian Approach in the Social Movement- A Trend-setter in Gujarat:

Thakorbhai supported all worthy causes not only in words but also in deeds. When Medha Patkar
was hounded in Gujarat for her stand on Sardar Sarovar dam that angered the mainstream
technocrats and politicians, Thakorbhai opened the doors of VKU.

Secular Humanist to the Core:

During 1993 riots, when our life was in danger, he and his family members paid several visits to us
and helped our child gather herself after the haunting and devastating experience of Bombay riots.
During Gujarat riots, he and his family members stuck out their necks to prevent riots in the
neighbourhood.

A Refined Human Being:

Thakorbhai never used an abusive language that is supposed to be the trade-mark of “the union
leader. He was a team worker. Without being overbearing, he helped each of his colleagues to
flourish as writers, thinkers, organisers and as confident public figures. He could effortlessly
establish rapport with men and women of every age group. He encouraged revolutionary cultural
activities. Along with revolutionary struggles, he was also involved in developmental activities such
as Neera Kendra and school in the neglected area.

We salute you, Thakorebhai for your revolutionary spirit, social action and secular humanism!