Bhadase Maraj
Encyclopedia
Bhadase Sagan Maraj was a Trinidad and Tobago
politician
, religious leader and businessman. He founded the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
in 1952, which grew into the major Hindu
organisation in Trinidad and Tobago.
Sagan senior was a devout Hindu, even fanatical. Bhadase developed his over-riding ambition to improve the lot of the Hindus from him. But before he could help the Hindus, Bhadase himself had to be strong enough and was a violent man who used violent methods to achieve his wealth and his place in the society. As he would say: "A weak man is a liability in a fight."
Bhadase started off to his first million dollars by digging sand for construction purposes in the Caroni River
. It was quite a thing to see this strapping young six-footer with a long bamboo pole pushing his flat-bottomed boat up the Caroni River.
This was only the beginning, for soon the young Bhadase had bought a truck and was in the transport business. The advent of the Second World War and the arrival of the American Armed Forces in this country threw Bhadase into the big league.
He was one of the biggest contractors on the American naval base at Chaguaramas and when the order came for the Americans to pull out their task force from that country, Bhadase was able to buy out large areas of the base that were being deactivated. Bhadase was not yet 30 when he counted his first million dollars. This was a real rags to riches story. From then on there was no stopping him for Bhadase was now equipped to fight the Hindu cause. When Bhadase was elected to Parliament
in 1950 there was no Maha Sabha. Hindu schools were only a dream and illiteracy among Hindus was about 50%.
Hindu schools were mushrooming everywhere to the charge that Bhadase was building cowshed schools, which were unhealthy and physically unfit for children to be educated, he declared, "It is better to have a child receive an education in a cowshed than none at all". The then government arranged to assist and fund the building and operations of Hindu and other religious schools in Trinidad and Tobago.
in 1950, founded the People's Democratic Party
, and later merged it into the Democratic Labour Party
, which he led between 1958 and 1960 (when he lost control of the party to Rudranath Capildeo
). Bhadase (as he was most widely known) continued to be active in politics until his death, often opposing Capildeo and other members of the DLP. After Capildeo's Chaguanas
seat was declared vacant in 1967 Bhadase won the seat in a by-election boycotted by the DLP.
The year 1958 saw Bhadase Maraj at the pinnacle of his glory. He had just won the Federal Election with his newly formed Democratic Labour Party. His sugar union, All Trinidad, was strong and vibrant. The Hindus were now riding high. But the mighty physique of Bhadase soon succumbed to ill health. The strenuous battle of the 1958 Federal Election had by then taken its toll. In 1959, the cry was soon heard, "Bhadase is dying." His supporters deserted him and his opponents rejoiced.
Bhadase was able to survive this first bout of illness but he was never again the same driving and dynamic Hindu force. And when he finally died on 21 October 1971 the headlines screamed, "WILL THE MAHA SABHA SURVIVE BHADASE?"
When the DLP boycotted the 1971 General Elections Bhadase organised the Democratic Liberation Party to contest the election, but all of his candidates were defeated when the DLP leadership brought out their supporters to vote for the People's National Movement
candidates rather than see Bhadase's party win. He died several months after the election. His son-in-law, Satnarayan Maharaj
succeeded him as leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, religious leader and businessman. He founded the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha is the major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. It operates 150 mandirs and over 50 schools. It was formed in 1952 when Bhadase Sagan Maraj engineered the merger of the Satanan Dharma Association and the Sanatan Dharma Board of Control. An affiliated group,...
in 1952, which grew into the major Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
organisation in Trinidad and Tobago.
Early life
Born Bhadase Sagan Maraj in the tiny village of Caroni, the young Hindu's first ambition was to take his family out of the poverty, deprivation and degradation that had been their lot ever since his father stepped off an indentured labourers' boat. The elder Sagan was a six footer. He was strong, handsome and fearless. It was from him that Bhadase inherited his strong physical characteristics.Sagan senior was a devout Hindu, even fanatical. Bhadase developed his over-riding ambition to improve the lot of the Hindus from him. But before he could help the Hindus, Bhadase himself had to be strong enough and was a violent man who used violent methods to achieve his wealth and his place in the society. As he would say: "A weak man is a liability in a fight."
Bhadase started off to his first million dollars by digging sand for construction purposes in the Caroni River
Caroni River (Trinidad and Tobago)
The Caroni River is the largest river in Trinidad and Tobago, running for from its origins in the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad, through the northern lowlands of the Caroni Plains and enters the Gulf of Paria at the Caroni Swamp....
. It was quite a thing to see this strapping young six-footer with a long bamboo pole pushing his flat-bottomed boat up the Caroni River.
This was only the beginning, for soon the young Bhadase had bought a truck and was in the transport business. The advent of the Second World War and the arrival of the American Armed Forces in this country threw Bhadase into the big league.
He was one of the biggest contractors on the American naval base at Chaguaramas and when the order came for the Americans to pull out their task force from that country, Bhadase was able to buy out large areas of the base that were being deactivated. Bhadase was not yet 30 when he counted his first million dollars. This was a real rags to riches story. From then on there was no stopping him for Bhadase was now equipped to fight the Hindu cause. When Bhadase was elected to Parliament
Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago
The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago is the legislative branch of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. The Parliament is bicameral. It consists of the elected House of Representatives, which has 43 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies, and the Senate which has 31...
in 1950 there was no Maha Sabha. Hindu schools were only a dream and illiteracy among Hindus was about 50%.
Civil society activism
In early 1952, the Maha Sabha was formed and this organisation was given permission to build and operate their own schools and with his typical bravado, Bhadase declared "By September, we will have six: schools." The cynics laughed because Maha Sabha did not even have a plan for a school but Bhadase was as good as his word. September saw the establishment of six Hindu Schools. The story did not end there for Bhadase had the Hindus mobilised and on the move.Hindu schools were mushrooming everywhere to the charge that Bhadase was building cowshed schools, which were unhealthy and physically unfit for children to be educated, he declared, "It is better to have a child receive an education in a cowshed than none at all". The then government arranged to assist and fund the building and operations of Hindu and other religious schools in Trinidad and Tobago.
Politics
He was elected to the Legislative CouncilLegislative Council of Trinidad and Tobago
The Legislative Council of Trinidad and Tobago served as an advisory commission to the Governor in British-ruled Trinidad and Tobago, between 1925 and independence in 1961. The Legislative Council consisted of a mixture of appointed and elected members...
in 1950, founded the People's Democratic Party
People's Democratic Party (Trinidad and Tobago)
The People's Democratic Party was a political party in Trinidad and Tobago. Under the leadership of Bhadase Sagan Maraj it contested the 1956 General Elections, capturing 5 of 24 elected seats in the Legislative Council and 20.3% of the vote...
, and later merged it into the Democratic Labour Party
Democratic Labour Party (Trinidad and Tobago)
The Democratic Labour Party was the main opposition party in Trinidad and Tobago between 1957 and 1971. The party was the party which opposed the People's National Movement at the time of Independence...
, which he led between 1958 and 1960 (when he lost control of the party to Rudranath Capildeo
Rudranath Capildeo
Dr. Rudranath Capildeo was a Trinidad and Tobago politician and mathematician. He was the Leader of the Democratic Labour Party from 1960–1969 and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament from 1961–1963, succeeding Ashford Sinanan. He was also a faculty member at the University of London, eventually...
). Bhadase (as he was most widely known) continued to be active in politics until his death, often opposing Capildeo and other members of the DLP. After Capildeo's Chaguanas
Chaguanas
The Borough of Chaguanas is the largest municipality 2000 census) and fastest-growing town in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in Central Trinidad about south of Port of Spain. It grew in size due to its proximity to the Woodford Lodge sugar refinery. It remained a minor town until the 1980s when it...
seat was declared vacant in 1967 Bhadase won the seat in a by-election boycotted by the DLP.
The year 1958 saw Bhadase Maraj at the pinnacle of his glory. He had just won the Federal Election with his newly formed Democratic Labour Party. His sugar union, All Trinidad, was strong and vibrant. The Hindus were now riding high. But the mighty physique of Bhadase soon succumbed to ill health. The strenuous battle of the 1958 Federal Election had by then taken its toll. In 1959, the cry was soon heard, "Bhadase is dying." His supporters deserted him and his opponents rejoiced.
Bhadase was able to survive this first bout of illness but he was never again the same driving and dynamic Hindu force. And when he finally died on 21 October 1971 the headlines screamed, "WILL THE MAHA SABHA SURVIVE BHADASE?"
When the DLP boycotted the 1971 General Elections Bhadase organised the Democratic Liberation Party to contest the election, but all of his candidates were defeated when the DLP leadership brought out their supporters to vote for the People's National Movement
People's National Movement
The People's National Movement is the present-day opposition political party in Trinidad and Tobago. Founded in 1955 by Eric Williams, it won the 1956 General Elections and went on to hold power for an unbroken 30 years. After the death of Williams in 1981 George Chambers led the party...
candidates rather than see Bhadase's party win. He died several months after the election. His son-in-law, Satnarayan Maharaj
Satnarayan Maharaj
Satnarayan Maharaj Chaconia Medal is a religious, cultural and political leader in Trinidad and Tobago. He is the Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, the major Hindu organisation in Trinidad and Tobago. He also writes op-ed contributions in many newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago...
succeeded him as leader of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.