Anil Chaudhary – Democratic Thinker, Popular Educator, Activist and Friend
Born on 5th June 1951, Anil Chaudhary, the founder of Popular Education and Action Centre (PEACE), took his last breath on 14th April 2025 in Gurgaon, India. Anil’s passing is not only a matter of deep personal grief for his family, friends and colleagues, but also an irreparable loss for social justice and public organisations, as well as people’s movements and grassroots collectives.
The ideological foundation of PEACE— the “Culture of Questioning”— is a living symbol of Anil’s thinking, involvement and commitment to democratic values of equity, peace and justice. In March 2025, as we celebrated 30 years of PEACE, Anil reminded us once again, that “questioning” is not only a path to resistance, but also to creation.
Anil was committed to building political awareness through capacity building and support to community-based organisations, social movements and activists. His questions around power structures—whether between genders, children and adults, teachers and students, workers and owners, or citizens and the state, etc. across intersectionalities —aligned with Paulo Freire’s idea of critical consciousness. His thinking empowered us to understand the interconnections from the local to the international level, find our questions within that process, be the voice of the marginalised while enabling their own agency. These learnings are embedded in the consciousness of PEACE’s onward journey.
Known for his unseen but steady mind, heart and hand; a person who worked without fanfare and in relative anonymity; Anil’s quiet, calm, critical and smiling presence anchored and held together individuals and groups beyond differing and diverse political perspectives and identities. He kept hundreds of movements alive, created dozens of networks and platforms, like INSAF, CNDP, CAAJ, PCSDS, Bhumi Adhikar Andolan and many more.
Anil’s life was expansive not only in terms of his political understanding but his humanity. He always had something to give to everyone, at any time. He was at once a home, a school, and a library. Today, even when he is not physically among us, his wisdom and wit, knowledge and analysis, courage and friendship continue to inspire and guide us. In making Anil’s dreams our resolution for the future, staying steadfast on the path shown by him, and making the fight for social justice even wider and deeper – this will be our true tribute.
Announcement of new Managing Trustee and Executive Director of PEACE
We take this opportunity to announce Shweta as the new Managing Trustee and Dr. Jitendra Chahar as the Executive Director of PEACE. Their names are not unfamiliar to the PEACE community — both have walked alongside the organisation in various capacities over the years.
Shweta, Managing Trustee, PEACE – Shweta, currently serving as the Executive Director of SRUTI (since 2014), has been a long-standing ally and supporter of PEACE. Her association with the organisation has evolved over time, marked by a shared commitment to grassroots empowerment and social justice. With over two decades of experience, Shweta has worked extensively on issues related to natural resources, education, governance, and grassroots movements. As an advisory member of PEACE, she has provided strategic guidance in shaping the institution’s programmatic and organizational direction in 2022, and later was invited to join the Board of Trustees in 2023. Subsequently, on 19th February 2025, as per Anil Chaudhary’s proposal and acceptance by the Board, Shweta was entrusted with the responsibility of Managing Trustee, further reflecting the confidence reposed in her leadership.
Dr. Jitendra Chahar, Executive Director, PEACE – Dr. Jitendra Chahar is a dedicated social worker with a distinguished academic background and extensive experience in grassroots activism and capacity building. With two decades of experience working at PEACE, and currently the Head of Programmes, Jitendra plays a critical role in the perspective enhancement of community-based organisations – that is the PEACE way! His commitment to democratic rights, peace, and civil liberties and the trust he has developed within and outside the organisation gives us confidence in his leadership of PEACE 3.0
Join us in holding hands with Shweta, Jitendra, the PEACE staff and all of our comrades as we continue to keep “the culture of questioning alive and kicking”.
Anil Chaudhary Memorial Lecture – 5th June 2025
On June 5th, we will gather to mark Anil Chaudhary’s birth anniversary with a lecture by his friend and co-traveller, P. Sainath, along with collective conversations and music. The event is a way to remember Anil, celebrate his life, and Anil’s legacy – by keeping the culture of questioning alive.
In solidarity,
Balaji Pandey, Ghanshyam, Aanchal Kapur, Kanchan Bhandari, Shweta
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
POPULAR EDUCATION AND ACTION CENTRE
22 April 2025, New Delhi
Popular Education and Action Centre (PEACE)
A-124/6 (Second Floor), Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi- 110016
Phone: +9111, 2685 8940; Email: peaceactdelhi@gmail.com