Barrister B.D. Khobragade – A Pillar of the Ambedkarite Movement
– SAMAJ WEEKLY, UK
Barrister Bhaurao Dewaji (B.D.) Khobragade, affectionately known as Rajabhau, was a key figure in the Ambedkarite movement and a close associate of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Born in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, Khobragade’s path to education was shaped by his family’s commitment to Ambedkar’s vision. He was one of the 16 students selected by Dr. Ambedkar to study in London, although he bore his own expenses so that more students from the Scheduled Caste community could benefit from state scholarships. He earned his law degree from Lincoln College and returned to India determined to use his leadership skills to advance the cause of social justice.
Rajabhau was instrumental in shaping Dalit political organization, becoming the first General Secretary of the Republican Party of India (RPI), which was founded to fulfill Ambedkar’s vision after his death. His political career was marked by his election to the Rajya Sabha at the young age of 33, where he served for a total of 18 years and held the position of Deputy Chairman from 1961 to 1972. His tenure in Parliament was dedicated to uplifting the marginalized, advocating for land redistribution to benefit landless farmers, and promoting free education for all children.
He also spearheaded campaigns for the Buddhist conversion movement and contested multiple Lok Sabha elections, always fighting for the rights of Dalits and the poor. Additionally, Khobragade founded schools and colleges for the downtrodden, recognizing education as a vital tool for emancipation. He launched Prajasatta, a weekly newspaper, to further his mission of social reform and justice.
Rajabhau’s impact extended beyond India; he visited numerous countries, and his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. highlighted his global perspective on civil rights. Until his death in 1984, he worked tirelessly for the cause of the oppressed, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the Ambedkarite movement.
Bhaurao Dewaji Khobragade (25 September 1925 – 9 April 1984), commonly known as Rajabhau Khobragade, was an Indian barrister, Ambedkarite social activist and politician. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha of the Parliament of India at various times from 1958 to 1984. He was Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from 1969 to 1972. Khobragade was an Ambedkarite and leader of Republican Party of India (RPI). He hails from Mahar (Scheduled Caste) community and, in 1956 he got converted into Buddhism along with B. R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution.
B. D. Khobragade
3rd Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
In office
17 December 1969 – 2 April 1972
Preceded by
Violet Alva
Succeeded by
Godey Murahari
Member of the Rajya Sabha for Maharashtra
In office
3 April 1958 – 2 April 1984
Personal details
Born – 25 September 1925[1]
Chandrapur, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India)
Died – 9 April 1984 (aged 58)
Political party
• Republican Party of India
• All Indian Republican Party
Spouse(s)
Indumati Khobragade
Parents
Devaji Bapu Khobragade (father)
Indirabai Khobragade (mother)
Occupation
Lawyer Social activist Politician
Khobragade had his early education at Jubilee High School, Chandrapur. He then went on to clear the Inter Science exam from Nagpur Science College in 1943 and B.A. exam from Morris College, Nagpur in 1945. On the advice of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, he went to London to study law in 1950. He was one of the 16 students Dr. Ambedkar sent to London to study but was an exception as he went to London bearing his own went to London to study law in 1950. He was one of the 16 students Dr. Ambedkar sent to London to study but was an exception as he went to London bearing his own expenses and the rest were scholarship students.
The [All Indian Republican Party] (अखिल भारतीय रिपब्लिकन पक्ष)] is a political party in India, a splinter group of the Republican Party of India and named for its leader, B. D. Khobragade. Barrister Rajabhau Khobragade Grandson Rajas Khobragade leading his movement.
