It is indeed very sad to learn of the demise of Mr K C Sulekh, a stalwart of the Ambedkarite movement from the 1940s until 1952, when he left activism to enter government service, retiring in 1985. However, he was not entirely inactive during his government service but continued to publish a considerable number of articles over the years under a pseudonym. After retirement in 1985, he re-entered the field as a critical commentator. In recent years, he received multiple awards for his writing and social activism.
I had the great honour and privilege of interviewing him on 3 April 2025, only about six months ago, during my research visit to Punjab. I asked him what his initials, K.C., meant. He replied that it was short for Kartar Chand. He was a little weak in body, needing assistance to move around, but high in spirits, with a sharp intellect still intact.
I was struck by his forthright, bold, and fearless personality, revealing many facets about events and Ambedkarite personalities in the Punjab. In particular, he drew my attention to the meetings he held with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, up until the time Dr Babasaheb visited the Punjab on 27 October 1951. Mr Sulekh hosted the Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala conferences over three days, 27, 28, and 29 October. He participated in the elections during 1946 and 1952 as editor of Ujala and served as secretary of the Scheduled Caste Federation (Punjab) from 1948 to 1952.
During the interview, he spoke of his personal library, which he had donated to a library in Village Garha that I later visited and discovered many gems in his personal collection. Also, he handed over two of his books written in Punjabi: Dalit Samaj atey Uus de Marg Darshak and Mera Jeevan Safar – Ambedkar Mission Di Raah. These books fearlessly reveal many half-truths and fabrications peddled, especially in his scathing attack on Lahori Ram Balley, another stalwart of Ambedkarites from Punjab. This proved to be an eye-opener, well documented in his book, Dalit Samaj atey Uus de Marg-Darshak. This book also contains a letter by Dr Babasaheb addressed to Mr Sulekh, as the editor of Ujala Urdu newspaper.
A great deal can be written about this remarkable man, which others will deservedly write. He provided glimpses of early Ambedkarite history during the 1940s and sheds light, both critical and complementary, on many personalities during this early period in the Punjab.
I pay tributes and express my deep condolences to his family and all those who knew him. May he rest in peace with the blessings of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
Sat Pal Muman
Ambedkar International Mission, London
17 October 2025
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