The Indian film industry lost one of its most brilliant and legendary actors, Dilip Kumar, aka Yusuf Khan on July 7, 2021. 

Dilip Saheb’s contributions to Bollywood are endless and well known by everyone. However, what is rarely known by many Indians is that other than being a cinematic glamor, Dilip Kumar was an Ambedkarite who worked actively for the upliftment of the marginalized among the Muslim community. 

Although born in the family of an Oppressor’s Caste, he invested a significant amount of time of his life participating in the All India Muslim OBC Organization (AIMOBCO) as a social activist voicing for the rights of Pasmandas in Maharastra. 


He officially joined AIMOBCO in 1990. From getting associated with the organization’s activities diligently to participating in more than 100 meetings all over India - he jolted the political class of India to wake up to the demands of the people. His star status gathered a large crowd and substantial public attention. 

He voiced the issues of caste discrimination faced by the Pasmandas. He vocalized the need for caste-based reservation by educating the masses about the economic and social discriminations that the marginalized faced that bar them from their socio-economic upliftment.
He also used to talk about his meetings with Babasaheb Ambedkar and the impact that his workds had on him. 


While the entire country will remember this man as a Bollywood legend, I will always see him as a significant icon of the social movement, an inspiration!

Being a Pathan from a Zamindari background, it had been his humane and considerate nature, that made him take the Ambedkarite ideology. It is claimed that his various life experiences also sensitized him towards the caste question. 


In today’s world, where celebrities and elites engage in social issues and politics just for PR exercises or to gain ‘brownie’ points with their liberal stances and non-affirmative actions, Dilip Kumar emerged out as a selfless exception. 


Rest in power, Dilip Kumar! JAI BHIM.


Source - https://roundtableindia.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9172:dilip-kumar-a-baghbaan-of-pasmanda-movement&catid=119&Itemid=132

(Read about his life in detail)