✊ 🕊️ From Survivor to Changemaker: Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi’s Fight Against Torture

"I was tortured—but I turned that pain into power, not just for myself, but for millions silenced by oppression."

— Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

❄️ The Spark of Resistance: Torture in 1996

In 1996, Lenin Raghuvanshi was brutally beaten and tortured by members of India’s paramilitary CRPF during a peaceful protest in Varanasi. At the time, he was working to rescue bonded child laborers. This traumatic episode, rather than breaking him, marked the turning point that transformed Lenin from a grassroots activist into one of India’s most resolute human rights defenders.

Instead of fear, it ignited a lifelong struggle against torture, caste violence, and impunity.

🌍 From Upper Caste to Human Rights Defender

Born into a high-caste Hindu family, Lenin rejected the privileges and oppressive traditions of his background. Influenced by his Gandhian grandfather and a deep spiritual calling, he co-founded the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) with his wife, Shruti Nagvanshi, in 1996. Drawing from Ambedkarite, Buddhist, and Gandhian philosophies, PVCHR has become a frontline force for justice, healing, and transformation.

⚖️ Building a Testimony-Based Justice Model

PVCHR’s pioneering work includes the testimonial therapy model, a trauma-informed, participatory process that helps torture survivors move from silence to dignity. Victims of custodial and police torture narrate their experiences, culminating in public honor ceremonies that symbolically return dignity and reintegrate them into the community.

According to the American Journal of Psychotherapy, this method has been shown to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms significantly. These ceremonies also function as a form of community resistance and memory against systemic violence.

📈 From Local Action to Global Impact

 Raghuvanshi's journey from torture survivor to global human rights icon is well documented:

• Appointed State Director of the EU-FNSt-supported National Project on Prevention of Torture
• Founded SANTI — South Asian Network Against Torture and Impunity
• Member of UN panels on human rights defenders
• Contributor to India’s Torture Prevention Bill
• Led testimonial therapy projects in over 70 villages
• Honoured with awards including:
• Gwangju Human Rights Award
• Ashoka Fellowship
• International Human Rights Prize of Weimar
• Public Peace Prize
• Honourable Mention, Global Pluralism Award

🔎 Documented Atrocities, Data-Driven Advocacy

Between 2002 and 2007, PVCHR documented nearly 7,500 deaths in police custody in India, many due to torture. Lenin and his team have freed over 40,000 bonded laborers, provided aid to 7,000 torture survivors, and fought over 3,600 cases of domestic violence.

The organization’s work is grounded in data, using psycho-social assessments, WHO-5 Wellbeing indices, and legal documentation to pursue justice.

🕵️️ Facing Threats, Standing Tall

Lenin’s advocacy has come at a steep price. He has faced:

• Multiple death threats
• False legal charges aimed at silencing his work
• Intimidation from corrupt political and social actors

Despite this, he remains resolute:
“Torture is not only physical. It’s in every form of systemic humiliation that tells you you don’t matter. That’s why we must fight it on every front.”

✨ Neo-Dalit Vision: A Movement of Unity

Dr. Raghuvanshi conceptualized the Neo-Dalit Movement: a collective alliance of Shudras, Ati-Shudras, and other marginalized communities, transcending caste to create a pluralistic, inclusive democracy. This movement seeks to end feudalism, patriarchy, and caste apartheid, aiming to build torture-free villages and ensure dignity for all.

Inspired by Paulo Freire's pedagogy of the oppressed, PVCHR promotes conscientization, empowering oppressed individuals to understand and challenge systemic violence.

🏆 International Acclaim & Recognition

Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi has been profiled by global institutions and invited to speak on international platforms. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and his life and work have been featured in ethnographic research, such as Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi (2023), highlighting his "resistant vitality" – the ability to convert personal trauma into collective empowerment.

📄 A Legacy of Compassion and Courage

More than a survivor, Lenin is a symbol of transformation. From a tortured body emerged an indomitable spirit. Through PVCHR, he has:

• Eliminated feudal practices in 200+ villages
• Addressed malnutrition in 700+ villages
• Supported over 2,50,000 victims of systemic violence

Dr. Raghuvanshi continues to fight not only for justice, but for dignity, healing, and humanity.

🌎 Join the Movement

Torture is a crime against the conscience of humanity. From the streets of Varanasi to the halls of the UN, Lenin Raghuvanshi has shown that resistance rooted in compassion can heal even the deepest wounds.

Follow, Support, and Share the Vision:
🔗 PVCHR Official Website
🔗 Wikipedia Profile
🔗 Vitalità Resistente – Testimonial Healing Movement

References & Footnotes:

1. Verzaro, L. (2023). Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi - etnografia di un'esperienza umanitaria.
2. PVCHR & RCT (2009). Testimonial Therapy Manual. Copenhagen: RCT.
3. NHRC India Reports (2002–2007); PVCHR Legal Documentation Archive.
4. Raghuvanshi, L. (2021). The Neo-Dalit Movement: A Response to Structural Violence. In: Human Rights Journal of India.

🕊️ #StopTorture #LeninRaghuvanshi #PVCHR #HumanRights #NeoDalit #SurvivorToLeader #EndImpunity #JusticeForAll #TestimonialTherapy #GlobalPluralism #AgainstCasteViolence #TortureFreeIndia

🌊 Appeal for Donations – Support the Jal Katha & Varun Yagya Movement 🌊

🌊 Appeal for Donations – Support the Jal Katha & Varun Yagya Movement 🌊

(05 June – 11 June 2025)

India is facing a growing water crisis, and Bundelkhand is one of its most affected regions. The Jal Katha & Varun Yagya, organized by Jal Saheli Samiti, is a unique spiritual-ecological campaign that blends traditional wisdom with grassroots action to conserve water and protect our rivers.

💧 Your contribution will help us:

• Restore ancient lakes like Mansarovar and Chandela-era ponds

• Train grassroots leaders and storytellers (Kathavachaks)

• Empower Jal Sahelis in water conservation

• Organize spiritual storytelling sessions to awaken ecological consciousness

• Mobilize communities through shramdaan and awareness campaigns

🌱 Every drop counts. Every rupee matters.

Support the national water awakening movement today!

✅ Donation Details:

Account holder: Jal Saheli Samiti

Account number: 473801000097

IFSC: ICIC0004738

Bank name: ICICI Bank

📞 +91- 94151 14151

🌊 दान कीजिए – जल कथा एवं वरुण यज्ञ को सफल बनाएं 🌊

(05 जून – 11 जून 2025)

बुंदेलखंड जैसे जल-संकटग्रस्त क्षेत्र में जल सहेली समिति द्वारा शुरू किया गया जल कथा और वरुण यज्ञ एक आध्यात्मिक और पारिस्थितिक जन आंदोलन है। यह अभियान पौराणिक परंपराओं के माध्यम से लोगों को जल संरक्षण के लिए प्रेरित कर रहा है।

🙏 आपका योगदान करेगा मदद:

• प्राचीन मानसरोवर और चंदेलकालीन तालाबों का पुनर्जीवन

• जल कथावाचकों और जल सहेलियों को प्रशिक्षित करना

• समुदाय आधारित श्रमदान व जागरूकता कार्यक्रम

• महिलाओं को जल नेतृत्व में सशक्त बनाना

• जल के प्रति आध्यात्मिक चेतना जगाना

💧 हर बूंद कीमती है। आपका छोटा दान भी बड़ा बदलाव ला सकता है।

इस अभियान से जुड़कर जल बचाने की इस पवित्र यात्रा में सहभागी बनें।

✅ दान विवरण:

खाताधारक का नाम: जल सहेली समिति

खाता संख्या: 473801000097

IFSC कोड: ICIC0004738

बैंक का नाम: आईसीआईसीआई बैंक

📞 +91 94151 14151

 

Jal Katha Concept Note by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd

🌿 Vitalità Resistente & The Voice of Grassroots Leadership: A Spotlight on Shruti Nagvanshi and JanMitra Nyas

 🌿 Vitalità Resistente & The Voice of Grassroots Leadership: A Spotlight on Shruti Nagvanshi and JanMitra Nyas

At the heart of eastern Uttar Pradesh’s socio-cultural transformation lies a quiet revolution powered by dignity, non-violence, and the unwavering commitment of grassroots leaders. One such leader is Shruti Nagvanshi, co-founder of JanMitra Nyas and the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), whose work continues to redefine community-led development and trauma-informed justice.

📚 New Ethnographic Study: Vitalità Resistente

From October to December 2023, Italian anthropologist Leonardo Verzaro conducted fieldwork with PVCHR in Varanasi, resulting in a powerful ethnography:

“Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi: etnografia di un’esperienza umanitaria”.

This study highlights testimonial therapy as a transformative, community-based healing practice that supports survivors of torture, caste violence, and gender-based oppression. At the center of this healing process is the idea of “vitalità resistente” — or resilient vitality — a spirit reclaimed by those once silenced, now publicly honored through PVCHR’s Honour Ceremonies.

📖 Read more:

• 🔗 Blog: Vitalità Resistente – How Lenin Raghuvanshi Turned Personal Pain into Collective Power

• 📄 Full Report in Italian (Scribd)

📰 Media Spotlight: JanMitra Nyas Takes on Child Marriage

In a recent report published by INext (Dainik Jagran, Hindi daily), Shruti Nagvanshi and her team at JanMitra Nyas were recognized for their critical role in verifying and addressing cases of child marriage. Through community-based vigilance and collaboration with local authorities, JanMitra Nyas has continued to champion the rights of young girls, reinforcing its commitment to safety, dignity, and justice.

🗣️ In Her Own Words: Interview with Great Companies

In a compelling interview with Great Companies, Shruti Nagvanshi shared the origins, challenges, and aspirations of JanMitra Nyas. Born out of the lived experience of fighting caste and gender injustice, her organization focuses on:

• Girls' education and scholarships

• Maternal-child health and nutrition

• Skill-building, kitchen gardens, and livelihoods

• Legal aid and trauma counseling for survivors

• Grassroots leadership and democratic empowerment

What sets JanMitra Nyas apart? Its fusion of Ambedkarite and Gandhian principles — transforming victims into leaders and fostering structural change with compassion and strategy.

“Start with empathy and humility. Co-create solutions. Stay grounded in your values, and your work will create meaningful change.”

— Shruti Nagvanshi

🔮 Looking Ahead

JanMitra Nyas envisions scaling its Dignity Village model, strengthening digital outreach, empowering youth and women leaders, and expanding climate-resilient solutions. With alliances across government, academia, and international networks, its model continues to influence the broader human rights ecosystem.

🙏 Gratitude & Global Solidarity

We are proud to share these efforts as part of our engagement with the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, whose support enables survivor-centric models like testimonial therapy to flourish. These stories are testaments to resilience, dignity, and the power of community healing.

In solidarity,

PVCHR Team

📧 pvchr.india@gmail.com

🌐 www.pvchr.asia

Ensuring the Right to Rehabilitation and Livelihood Support for Torture Survivors under CRPD Commitments

From: Lenin Raghuvanshi <lenin@pvchr.asia>

Date: Wed, May 21, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Subject: Ensuring the Right to Rehabilitation and Livelihood Support for Torture Survivors under CRPD Commitments
To: NHRC - Chairperson <chairnhrc@nic.in>

To
Shri Justice V. Ramasubramanian Jee 
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India
Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C, GPO Complex
INA, New Delhi – 110023

Subject: Ensuring the Right to Rehabilitation and Livelihood Support for Torture Survivors under CRPD Commitments

Respected Sir,

Warm greetings from the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN), Varanasi.

I am writing to seek your kind attention to a vital and often overlooked dimension of human rights protection in India—the right to rehabilitation and livelihood for survivors of torture and ill-treatment, particularly those from marginalized communities.

India is a signatory and ratifying party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which under Article 16 obligates the State to take effective measures to prevent torture and ensure timely, accessible, and comprehensive rehabilitation for victims. This right is not only psychosocial—it includes access to economic reintegration, livelihood opportunities, and social dignity.

Our work at PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas over the last two decades has shown that healing from torture and structural violence requires more than legal redress or medical care. Survivors need sustainable livelihood pathways to reclaim agency, restore dignity, and rejoin society as empowered individuals. Through Testimonial Therapy, legal advocacy, community support, and livelihood-based rehabilitation, we have seen hundreds of survivors rise as leaders and human rights defenders themselves.

We respectfully request the Hon'ble Commission to give due consideration to livelihood support as a core component of rehabilitation, in alignment with global practices and CRPD obligations. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)—of which PVCHR is a recognized civil society partner—has advanced a global approach to rehabilitation, highlighting economic inclusion and livelihoods as essential to full recovery:

🔗 https://irct.org/livelihoods/

This aligns with the spirit of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and NHRC's own commitment to upholding the dignity of the most vulnerable.

We humbly urge the NHRC to:

1. Affirm the right to rehabilitation—including economic rehabilitation—as a fundamental right of torture survivors under India's CRPD obligations.

2. Issue guidelines promoting integration of livelihood support into survivor assistance mechanisms, including through convergence with social welfare schemes (such as PMEGP, MGNREGA, DAY-NULM, and NSDC).

3. Encourage collaboration with grassroots civil society organizations like PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas that have developed field-tested models of psychosocial and economic rehabilitation.

4. Recommend policy frameworks for survivor-centric rehabilitation under State Human Rights Commissions and local governance bodies.

Rehabilitation is not a favor—it is a state obligation rooted in justice, human dignity, and the transformative promise of our Constitution. As Chairperson of NHRC, your support can significantly strengthen the institutional framework for survivor-centric justice in India.

We are also enclosing ethnographic research by Italian scholar Leonardo Verzaro titled "Vitalità Resistente", which offers a deep account of this journey through my personal and organizational story.

We would be honored to provide a detailed presentation to NHRC on our rehabilitation model, field insights, and survivor testimonies.

With utmost respect and anticipation of your support,

Yours sincerely,
Lenin Raghuvanshi
Founder-Convener, PVCHR
📍 Varanasi, India
Encl.:

• PDF: Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi (Ethnography by Leonardo Verzaro) Link: https://www.scribd.com/document/863779439/L-Verzaro-Costruzioni-e-Trasformazioni-Del-Se-a-Varanasi-Etnografia-Di-Un-Esperienza-Umanitaria

• Blog: Vitalità Resistente: How Lenin Raghuvanshi Turned Personal Pain into Collective Power

Lenin Raghuvanshi

Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute IMPRI Profile 

Founder-Convenor, People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) 

Former CEO, JanMitra Nyas, Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations

SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi - 221002, India 

Mobile: +91-9335688938

Email: lenin@pvchr.asia 

Website: https://pvchr.asia/, Personal Website 

Wikipedia: Lenin Raghuvanshi, PVCHR 

Blog: Lenin Raghuvanshi's Blog 

Follow us on Facebook: Lenin Raghuvanshi Facebook Page

Vitalità Resistente: How Lenin Raghuvanshi Turned Personal Pain into Collective Power

🌿 Vitalità Resistente: How Lenin Raghuvanshi Turned Personal Pain into Collective Power
A Reflection on Leonardo Verzaro’s Ethnographic Fieldwork in Varanasi

By Editorial Desk | PVCHR Blog

📅 Published: May 2025

🔍 Introduction

What does it mean to transform personal suffering into a lifelong mission for justice?

Italian anthropologist Leonardo Verzaro, during his fieldwork in Varanasi between October and December 2023, explores this question by immersing himself in the daily work and personal life of Lenin Raghuvanshi, founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR).

The result is a powerful ethnography titled “Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi” (Constructions and Transformations of the Self in Varanasi), where Verzaro coins the concept of “vitalità resistente” — resilient vitality. This idea captures the force with which Raghuvanshi converts trauma into action, silence into voice, and despair into dignity—for himself and for the thousands he serves.

🙏 A Journey from Pain to Purpose

Born in Varanasi and once a student of Ayurvedic medicine, Lenin Raghuvanshi was pushed out of his home by his father in 1994. He bicycled over 40 km each day to continue his medical internship. With a difficult family past—estranged from his parents, yet deeply influenced by his Gandhian grandfather—he experienced the pain of abandonment and emotional dislocation.

Instead of succumbing to bitterness, Lenin chose transformation. “Vitalità resistente,” as Verzaro defines it, became the internal engine of his mission: to create space for healing, justice, and human dignity through organized resistance and compassion.

⚖️ PVCHR: A Platform for Dignity and Change

Founded in 1996, the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) is a grassroots human rights organization based in Varanasi. It works to dismantle the entrenched structures of caste discrimination, police torture, and gender violence in India’s most marginalized communities.

At the heart of its approach is Testimonial Therapy—a method inspired by narrative healing. Survivors of police brutality or caste violence are invited to share their stories publicly. These narratives are honored in Honour Ceremonies, where victims are celebrated for their courage and symbolically reintegrated into society with dignity.

Verzaro attended multiple such ceremonies and observed how this model fuses psychology, spirituality, and activism.

“Lenin offers victims a path from trauma to dignity. His activism is both political and deeply therapeutic.”

— Leonardo Verzaro 

🧬 Family Influence and Inner Struggles: Father and Brother

1. A Father Rooted in Communism
   Your father was a committed Communist, strongly shaped by class-based ideology. However, he remained largely emotionally distant. He didn’t support your growing Gandhian, pluralist, and human rights-based worldview, leading to deep ideological and generational conflict. According to Verzaro, this conflict became one of the defining emotional and political ruptures in your life.

2. The Turning Point: Rejection and Expulsion
   In 1994, your father expelled you from the family home, an event that deeply scarred you emotionally but also catalyzed your spiritual and political awakening. Rather than returning anger with resentment, you transformed this trauma into your life’s mission—resisting exclusion by embracing inclusion.

3. Your Brother Stalin: A Mirror and a Contrast
   Verzaro mentions your brother, Stalin, with whom you shared the experience of being raised in the same household under a dominant Communist father. However, your paths diverged. Stalin chose a different direction in life, and while there may not be open hostility, there is emotional distance and a lack of shared vision or collaboration between you.

4. From Family Alienation to Founding a New Community
   The lack of emotional support from your immediate family—especially during moments of illness or personal loss—contrasts sharply with the emotional community you’ve built through PVCHR. In a way, PVCHR became your chosen family, formed through empathy, activism, and shared resilience.

5. Healing Through Action, Not Revenge
   Rather than reacting to familial pain with bitterness, you chose forgiveness, reflection, and healing—transforming the wound left by your father and brother into a wellspring of strength, compassion, and moral clarity.

“I turned the rejection from my father and the silence from my brother into a deeper embrace of the oppressed. Where they withheld love, I chose to give it freely to others.”

— Lenin Raghuvanshi, paraphrased from Verzaro’s ethnography

🌍 Pluralism as Resistance

In every word and deed, Lenin emphasizes pluralism—the idea that human dignity depends on our ability to embrace religious, linguistic, cultural, and caste diversity.

As Lenin often says:

“Our work is about reconciliation—with the caste system, with patriarchy. Only then can we build a pluralistic society.”

This is not just theory. PVCHR practices it daily by building alliances across communities, training local leaders, and supporting Dalits, Adivasis, and Muslims in their struggle for rights.

🧠 Emotional Complexity and Ethical Clarity

Verzaro’s ethnography doesn’t shy away from Lenin’s emotional vulnerabilities. It chronicles his frustrations with global institutions, such as the United Nations and European NGOs, that have failed to adequately respond to caste violence or support grassroots defenders.

It also explores his spiritual devotion to Maa Kali, his moments of fatigue, and his deeply personal use of social media and public storytelling to connect pain with purpose.

Verzaro concludes:

“Lenin is not just a human rights activist. He is a complex, creative, and deeply reflective subjectivity. His life is a mirror for those he serves.”

📚 Conscientization and Collective Emancipation

Inspired by Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” PVCHR engages in conscientization—a process of raising critical awareness among oppressed communities about their rights and power.

This dual strategy—individual transformation and collective emancipation—is central to PVCHR’s model. It trains survivors to become advocates, turning isolated victims into public leaders.

🔥 What Is Vitalità Resistente?

“Vitalità resistente” is the energy to persist despite abandonment, to love despite betrayal, to fight injustice despite fatigue. Verzaro sees it as Lenin’s defining attribute—and the very soul of PVCHR.

“It is the power to create change where only pain existed. It is the refusal to let suffering be the end of the story.”

🌱 Conclusion: The Quiet Revolution of Dignity

Lenin Raghuvanshi’s story is not just one of activism—it is a spiritual journey, a philosophy of action, and a testimony to the human spirit. Through Leonardo Verzaro’s lens, we see that human rights work is not only a political struggle—it is a profoundly personal transformation.

And perhaps this is what makes PVCHR different: it doesn’t just defend rights—it rebuilds lives.

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🕊️ To learn more about PVCHR’s work, visit https://pvchr.asia

📖 For the full blog reflection on Lenin’s silent birthday, read here: https://pvchr.blogspot.com/2025/05/silence-over-celebration-birthday-of.html

📩 Contact: lenin@pvchr.asia

📍 SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi, India

---

#LeninRaghuvanshi #VitalitaResistente #HumanRights #PVCHR #TestimonialTherapy #Pluralism #DalitVoices #GrassrootsJustice #Anthropology #LeonardoVerzaro #IndiaUnheard #SocialHealing #Nonviolence #PauloFreire #KaliDevotion #ActivismWithHeart

Link for thesis: https://www.scribd.com/document/863779439/L-Verzaro-Costruzioni-e-Trasformazioni-Del-Se-a-Varanasi-Etnografia-Di-Un-Esperienza-Umanitaria

L. Verzaro - Costruzioni e Trasformazioni Del Sé a Varanasi - Etnografia Di Un'Esperienza Umanitaria by pvchr.india9214 on Scribd

Silence Over Celebration: A Birthday of Reflection and Resistance

 Silence Over Celebration: A Birthday of Reflection and Resistance
By Lenin Raghuvanshi

“I will not celebrate my birthday on 18 May.”

— Lenin Raghuvanshi

This year, I choose silence over celebration.

As the world continues its chaotic churn, I pause—not for joy, but for justice.

The painful incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir, still haunts us. Innocent lives lost to senseless violence. And closer to home, 150 marginalized girls supported by our initiative have been denied scholarships—their education halted due to preventable administrative delays. This is not a moment to blow candles. It is a moment to stand still and confront the pain.

In Place of Celebration, Solidarity

In this silence, I am not alone.

From Germany, my friend and fellow traveler Stephan Braig shared this moving message:

"Dear Lenin, I stand with you in silence and in remembrance of the victims of senseless violence and in sorrow that young girls were deprived of the chance of education and self-development.

I'm sending you a picture, a moment with both of us, me on the phone, you in thought and brief relaxation. These were my favorite moments, being on the road with you, being able to somehow support you in your work and your fight. Memories of such beautiful moments give me strength - and I wish you the same"

From Italy, anthropologist and friend Leonardo Verzaro offered warmth and light:

"Happy Birthday Lenin!! 🎉🥂🎂🫶🏻🎊 Even if you're not celebrating I send you my warmest wishes... have a fantastic day! Lots of love 🧡"

A Portrait in Resilience – Leonardo Verzaro’s Ethnography

Leonardo Verzaro, who lived and worked in Varanasi while conducting field research with PVCHR, documented our work in his Italian ethnography:

“Costruzioni e Trasformazioni del sé a Varanasi – etnografia di un’esperienza umanitaria.”

In his study, Leonardo introduces a powerful concept to describe my journey: “vitalità resistente” – resilient vitality.

“Lenin Raghuvanshi is a complex, countercultural, creative, and reflective subjectivity. He has made sense of his personal suffering by transforming it into social action, activism, and resistance to oppressive structures of power.”

He traces how, shaped by the trauma of a strained family history and inspired by the Gandhian values of my grandparents, I redirected pain into purpose—through the founding of PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights).

Leonardo writes:

“His activism is not only political—it is therapeutic, spiritual, and transformative. Lenin offers victims of torture and caste oppression a path from trauma to dignity through what he calls ‘testimonial therapy.’”

The therapy we practice at PVCHR helps victims of custodial torture reclaim their voice. Through Honour Ceremonies, we reintegrate them with public dignity—often empowering them to become defenders of human rights themselves.

Who I Am and Why I Choose Silence

I am:

• Lenin Raghuvanshi,
  Founder-Convenor, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

• Former CEO, JanMitra Nyas (UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status)

• Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute

📍 Address: SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi – 221002, India

📧 Email: lenin@pvchr.asia

🌐 PVCHR Website | Personal Blog

📘 Facebook | Wikipedia

Let Us Reflect. Let Us Act.

This birthday is not mine. It belongs to:

• The girls deprived of education.

• The victims of conflict and systemic violence.

• The oppressed who have yet to be heard.

Let us reclaim this silence as a call to compassion and action.

To those who sent me messages of solidarity—thank you.

Your words are not whispers. They are echoes of a deeper truth:

Justice cannot wait. And neither can we.

🕊️ To support the education of marginalized girls or learn more about our work, visit pvchr.asia

Lenin Raghuvanshi: A Comprehensive Biography

 

Lenin Raghuvanshi is a prominent Indian social activist, political thinker, and social entrepreneur renowned for his tireless advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Dalits, Adivasis, and other oppressed groups in India. His work focuses on combating caste-based discrimination, gender inequality, child labor, and bonded labor, while promoting human dignity, non-violence, and social justice. Through his organizations, notably the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and Jan Mitra Nyas, Raghuvanshi has significantly influenced the discourse on human rights in India and globally. His activism is rooted in his rejection of the caste system and patriarchal structures, inspired by his personal experiences and the philosophies of Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Kabir, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Swami Agnivesh.

Early Life and Background

• Birth and Family: Lenin Raghuvanshi was born on May 18, 1970, in Dhaurahara village, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, India, into a higher-caste Hindu family. His parents were Surendra Nath Singh and Shrimati Savitri Devi, and his grandfather, Shanti Kumar Singh, was a Gandhian freedom fighter whose legacy of social justice profoundly influenced Lenin.
• Upbringing and Aversion to Caste: Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most conservative regions, Lenin witnessed pervasive caste-based discrimination and gender inequalities, with men often dominating and controlling women. He described his higher-caste Hindu upbringing as “feudal,” which fueled his early aversion to the caste system. This rejection of caste hierarchies became the foundation of his lifelong activism.
• Education: Lenin pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Modern Medicine, and Surgery (BAMS) from the State Ayurvedic Medical College, Gurukul Kangari, Haridwar, completing his studies in 1994. His education as a physician complemented his activism, giving him a unique perspective on health and social justice.

Personal Life

• Marriage and Family: Lenin married Shruti Nagvanshi, a noted social activist, on February 22, 1992. The couple has a son, Kabeer Karunik, born in 1998, who is a national-level snooker player. Both Lenin and Shruti converted to Buddhism, aligning with its principles of equality and non-violence. They live in a joint family in Varanasi, continuing their shared commitment to social justice.
• Philosophical Influences: Lenin’s activism is deeply influenced by non-violent philosophies and the teachings of Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Kabir, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Swami Agnivesh. He has also drawn inspiration from global human rights movements and thinkers, shaping his vision for a pluralistic, inclusive society.

Activism and Career

Lenin Raghuvanshi’s activism began in the early 1990s and has since evolved into a multifaceted movement addressing systemic inequalities in India. His work spans grassroots activism, policy advocacy, and international collaboration, with a focus on empowering marginalized communities.

Early Activism (1990s)

• Bachpan Bachao Andolan (1990–1999): Lenin started his activism with the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi. He focused on rescuing bonded laborers, particularly children, from exploitative industries like carpet weaving. His efforts included organizing demonstrations and advocating for the rehabilitation of freed laborers. In 1996, he staged a 72-hour hunger strike to highlight the plight of bonded laborers, though it faced limited support from other organizations.
• Global March Against Child Labor (1998): Lenin participated in the Global March Against Child Labor, presenting a poem on child labor and football to then-French President Jacques Chirac. His insights on child labor were featured in the April 1996 issue of Time Magazine, highlighting the exploitation of children in regions lacking land reform and education.

Founding of PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas

• People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR): In 1996, Lenin co-founded PVCHR in Varanasi with his wife Shruti Nagvanshi, historian Mahendra Pratap, musician Vikash Maharaj, and poet Gyanendra Pati. PVCHR aims to uplift marginalized communities, particularly Dalits and Adivasis, by addressing caste-based discrimination, police torture, and human rights violations. The organization has grown to over 72,000 members and has eliminated feudal practices in over 200 villages, alleviated malnutrition in 700 villages, and built over 50 community centers. PVCHR has also received funding from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) for its work on preventing police torture and rehabilitating victims.
• Jan Mitra Nyas (1999): Lenin founded Jan Mitra Nyas (People-Friendly Association) in 1999 to provide education and support to children in three villages near Varanasi and an urban slum. This initiative focused on grassroots empowerment and community development.

Key Contributions and Initiatives

• Neo-Dalit Movement: Lenin introduced the concept of the “Neo-Dalit” movement, which seeks to unite Shudras and Ati-Shudras (Dalits) to dismantle the caste system and establish a society based on equal dignity. This movement emphasizes justice, diversity, inclusiveness, and pluralism, challenging the “culture of impunity” in India.
• Voice of People (VOP): In 2001, Lenin was elected to the executive council of Voice of People, a statewide alliance supported by Child Rights and You (CRY), working for children’s rights across 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh.
• Bonded Labour Advocacy: Appointed to the District Vigilance Committee on Bonded Labour under the Bonded Labour Abolition Act of 1976 by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh in 2002, Lenin filed an FIR against Rajendar Thripathi, a village head in Belwa, for bonded labor practices. This led to death threats and retaliatory legal cases against him, though the latter were stayed by the High Court.
• Anti-Torture Advocacy: As state director for the European Union-funded National Project on Prevention of Torture in 2006, Lenin drafted a Testimonial Model for India with Dr. Inger Agger to address torture. PVCHR’s reports on torture incidents have been instrumental in advocating for systemic change.
• Model Village Initiative (2004): Lenin created the “People-Friendly Village” model to amplify marginalized voices and foster peace-building through justice and reconciliation. This initiative has empowered communities to challenge caste-based discrimination and promote inclusive development.
• COVID-19 Response: During the COVID-19 pandemic, PVCHR, under Lenin’s leadership, provided multi-dimensional support to communities, including awareness campaigns, vaccinations, and nutritional aid, reflecting his commitment to public health and social welfare.

International Engagement

• Global Platforms: Lenin has spoken at colleges, universities, and international forums, including the Global Tolerance Forum in Drammen, Norway (2015), where he expressed concerns about rising fundamentalism in India. He also participated in the Asian Folk School in Gwangju, South Korea (2009) and a workshop on grassroots human rights strategies in Graz, Austria (2009).
• European Union Visitors Programme (EUVP): In 2013, Lenin participated in the EUVP, gaining insights into the European Union’s philosophy, values, and working culture, which strengthened PVCHR’s international collaborations.
• Global India Network (2016): Lenin was selected as a member of Global India, an Ireland-based Horizon 2020-funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Training Network, connecting with six EU universities and nine Indian partners.

Awards and Recognition

Lenin Raghuvanshi’s contributions have been widely recognized through numerous national and international awards:

• 2001: Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurship and changemaking.
• 2007: Gwangju Human Rights Award, shared with Irom Sharmila, for his work on human rights.
• 2008: ACHA Star Peace Award for promoting peace and justice.
• 2010: International Human Rights Prize of the City of Weimar for his advocacy for marginalized communities.
• 2016: M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award for his work with Dalits and Adivasis.
• 2016: Child Rights Activist of the Year by the Wockhardt Foundation, selected through nationwide online voting.
• 2016: Lifetime Honorary Membership of the Indo-German Society of Remscheid, Germany, for his contributions to human rights and Indo-German cooperation.
• 2018: Special Mentions Prize of Human Rights of the French Republic for his efforts in promoting human rights.
• 2018: Public Peace Prize for his leadership in the Neo-Dalit movement and human rights advocacy.
• 2019: Karmaveer Maharatna Award for his outstanding contributions to social justice.
• 2024: REX Karmaveer Puraskaar Maharatna Prerna Award for his continued dedication to social justice.
• Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: Lenin was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat masculinity-driven militarist traditions and promote peace globally.

Additionally, in 2017, India Times listed him among the 11 Human Rights Activists in India whose life mission is to provide others with a dignified life. The Deed Indeed Foundation profiled him as a “Tireless Service to Humanity,” describing him as one of the caste system’s greatest adversaries. In 2024, his work was featured in Leonardo Verzaro’s anthropological thesis, highlighting his “resistant vitality” in Dalit rights activism.

Challenges and Threats

Lenin’s activism has often met with resistance, including death threats and legal challenges. His 2002 FIR against a village head for bonded labor practices led to retaliatory cases accusing him of “public mischief” and “anti-state activities,” though these were stayed by the High Court. Despite such threats, Lenin remains committed to non-violent activism, drawing strength from his conviction and support from his family and global allies.

Media and Public Presence

• Publications: Lenin frequently contributes articles to local, national, and international magazines and websites, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
• Television Appearance: In 2014, Lenin appeared on Satyamev Jayate, hosted by Aamir Khan, discussing violence and hegemonic masculinity, further raising awareness of his work.
• Social Media: Lenin is active on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, where he shares updates on PVCHR’s work and engages with supporters globally.

Legacy and Impact

Lenin Raghuvanshi’s work has transformed the lives of countless marginalized individuals in India. Through PVCHR and Jan Mitra Nyas, he has challenged systemic injustices, empowered communities, and shifted the Indian human rights movement’s focus to caste as a fundamental human rights issue. His Neo-Dalit movement has inspired a broader coalition against caste discrimination, uniting diverse groups in the fight for dignity and equality. By combining grassroots activism with policy advocacy and international collaboration, Lenin has created a sustainable model for social change.

His efforts have not only alleviated immediate suffering—such as malnutrition and bonded labor—but also fostered long-term systemic change by promoting education, land rights, fair wages, and community empowerment. Despite facing threats and challenges, Lenin’s non-violent approach and unwavering dedication continue to inspire activists worldwide. His vision of an India united by diversity and justice remains a powerful beacon for future generations.

Sources

The information provided is based on the following web sources:

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This biography critically examines available sources to present a comprehensive and accurate account of Lenin Raghuvanshi’s life and work, avoiding reliance on unverified claims and focusing on his documented contributions.

Shruti Nagvanshi is an Indian women’s and children’s rights activist, born on January 2, 1974, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She is a prominent advocate for marginalized groups, particularly Dalits, rural women, and indigenous minorities, focusing on issues like caste discrimination, gender inequality, and human rights violations. She co-founded the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) in 1996 with her husband, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, and others, and is a founder of the Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Panchayat, a women’s forum empowering religious minorities within the framework of the rule of law. She also serves as the managing trustee of JanMitra Nyas, a non-profit working on health, education, and welfare for marginalized communities.

Her work emphasizes reconciliation between historically marginalized and privileged groups, promoting social justice through grassroots initiatives. Key achievements include improving access to health, education, and livelihood services in 50 villages and slums in Varanasi, reducing maternal, neonatal, and malnourishment deaths with support from Child Rights and You (CRY). Nagvanshi’s activism challenges patriarchal and caste-based structures, and she has been recognized for her innovative approaches, such as the “Jan Mitra Gaon” (People-Friendly Village) model, which fosters local institutions to combat discrimination.

Personal Background

• Education: Studied up to intermediate at Basant Kanya Vidyalaya, Varanasi, and later graduated from Uday Pratap College despite familial and societal challenges.
• Family: Married Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi on February 22, 1992; they have a son, Kabeer Karunik, a national-level snooker player. Both Shruti and Lenin are converts to Buddhism.
• Early Life: Born in the Dashashwmedh area of Varanasi, she was inspired by her mother’s encouragement toward education and social service. Her childhood sensitivity to poverty and social inequities shaped her activism.

Key Contributions

• PVCHR: Co-founded to address human rights violations, focusing on Dalits, women, and children. It promotes a secular, anti-caste movement and uses a “Testimonial Model” to support torture survivors.
• Savitri Bai Phule Women’s Forum: Founded to empower women against caste, gender discrimination, and patriarchy, celebrating March 10 as Indian Women’s Day in honor of Savitri Bai Phule.
• Child Rights: Led initiatives reducing child mortality and malnourishment in marginalized communities.
• Publications: Co-authored Margins to Centre Stage: Empowering Dalits in India with Dr. Archana Kaushik, highlighting Dalit empowerment efforts. She frequently writes for newsletters and online platforms.

Awards and Recognition

• 2000: Jan Mitra Award for communal harmony (Kabeer Mela).
• 2016: Top 100 Women Achievers of India (Ministry of Women and Child Development, India).
• 2019: Rex Karmveer Chakra (Silver).
• 2020-21: Public Peace Prize for child and women’s rights.
• 2021: India Times listed her among 11 Human Rights Activists in India.
• 2022: Savitri Bai Phule National Award for women’s empowerment.
• 2024: Karmaveer Gold Chakra Award for advocacy for Dalit and Adivasi women.
• Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: Nominated for her contributions to peace and preventing militarist traditions in conflict.
• Other: Recognized as a “21st Century Hero of India” by Pippa Rann Books & Media (2020) and featured in UN Women India’s “Hum: When Women Lead” for transformative leadership.

Challenges

Nagvanshi faced resistance from her orthodox in-laws, who initially opposed her work with “untouchables,” and societal patriarchy. She overcame these through persistence, non-violent resistance, and eventual family support. Her marriage into a hierarchy-conforming family gave her insight into caste dynamics, fueling her activism.

Notable Impact

• Community Empowerment: Her work has led to structural changes in adopted villages, increasing inclusivity and access to services.
• Global Advocacy: Represented India at the G20 Interfaith Summit 2023, contributing to discussions on child protection and Sustainable Development Goals.
• Media Presence: Featured in Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate (2014) discussing rape and gender issues.

Nagvanshi’s activism is driven by her belief that the ability to fight injustice is inherently empowering. Her efforts continue to inspire inclusive societal change in India.

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