Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) seminar in Lucknow demands CBI probe into party founder’s death; Pallavi Patel stresses ideological strength ahead of 2027 Assembly polls
Lucknow: Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) organised a seminar at the Gandhi Bhawan auditorium in Lucknow on Saturday to mark the 17th Parinirvan Diwas of party founder Dr Sonelal Patel. Party office-bearers and workers from various districts of Uttar Pradesh attended the programme and paid tribute to his contribution to social justice and the empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, party national president Krishna Patel described Dr Sonelal Patel as a pioneer of social justice who devoted his life to the social, political and economic advancement of the Kamera community. She said he envisioned a society where everyone would have equal opportunities without discrimination and marginalised communities would receive their rightful share in power and resources. To achieve this objective, he had built a strong organisational network across Uttar Pradesh and other parts of northern India.
Senior party leader and Sirathu MLA Dr Pallavi Patel stressed that ideological strength was essential to capture political power and transform the existing system. She called upon party workers to strengthen their organisation around a clear ideology and work towards advancing Bahujan-Kamera politics, with the goal of securing victory in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She urged them to unite to realise Dr Sonelal Patel’s vision for the country and society.
Dr Pallavi Patel also renewed the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Dr Sonelal Patel, who died under what the party described as suspicious circumstances on October 17, 2009. She said a high-level investigation was necessary to establish the facts and bring clarity to the incident, adding that the demand continued to reflect the sentiments of the Bahujan-Kamera community.
Dr Ratan Lal, an associate professor at Delhi University and an author, said Dr Sonelal Patel carried forward the legacy of social reformers Sant Ravidas, Jyotirao Phule, Shahu Maharaj and B.R. Ambedkar. He emphasised that political and social empowerment must be accompanied by concrete measures to improve the economic conditions of disadvantaged communities. He also called for collective efforts to protect access to education, describing it as essential for employment and social progress.
Shambhu Kumar Singh, senior journalist and editor-in-chief of National Dastak, said community leaders must actively fight for social causes and defend constitutional rights. He urged people to speak out against injustice rather than remain silent.
The seminar was chaired by state president Dr C.L. Patel and conducted by state general secretary Gagan Prakash Yadav. National vice-president Professor Gangaram Yadav, Radheshyam Patel, engineer Parul Patel, Mohammad Hafiz Mobin, Anand Hiraram Patel, Sadhana Sahu, Udal Rajbhar and Ashok Patel were among those who shared their views at the programme.
