Lalai Singh Yadav (1911-1993) was a policeman in paramilitary who became a social justice activist and play writer. ^[1] He wrote plays like Shambhuk Vadh. He translated Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's The Key To Understanding True Ramayan from Tamil to Hindi as Sachi Ramayan Ki Chabi. ^{[2] [3] [4]} In 1962, he wrote a book entitled Baman Vadi Rajya Mein Shoshito Par Rajnaitik Dakaiti. ^[5] He fought a free speech case against the UP Government on his book ban. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]}

Apart from translating True Ramayan, he wrote 5 plays as well, including one on Aṅgulimāla, Shambuka, and Ekalavya. ^{[12] [13]}

Conversion to Buddhism

Lalai Singh Yadav was an Ambedkarite Buddhist. ^[14]

He renounced Hinduism in 1967 and embraced Buddhism. After adopting Buddhism, he removed the word Yadav from his name. His deep anti-caste consciousness was working behind the removal of the word Yadav. ^{[15] [16]}

See also

• A.R. Akela
• Periyar
• Dalit studies

References