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{{short description|Indian political party}}
{{short description|Indian political party}}
{{about||other parties of this name}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
{{Infobox Indian political party
| party_name        = Republican Party of India
| party_name        = Republican Party of India
| logo              = [[Image:Flag of various Republican Parties of India.svg|180px|[[List of political party symbols in India|Election symbol]] of various [[dalit]] parties in India]]
| logo              = [[Image:Flag of various Republican Parties of India.svg|180px|[[List of political party symbols in India|Election symbol]] of various [[dalit]] parties in India]]
| colorcode        = {{party color|Republican Party of India}}
| colorcode        = {{party color|Republican Party of India}}
| founder      = [[N. Sivaraj]], <br />[[Yashwant Ambedkar]], <br />P. T. Borale, <br />A. G. Pawar, <br />Datta Katti, <br />[[Dadasaheb Rupwate]],  
| founder      = [[Dadasaheb Gaikwad]], <br/> [[N. Sivaraj]], <br />[[Yashwant Ambedkar]], <br />P. T. Borale, <br />A. G. Pawar, <br />Datta Katti, <br />[[Dadasaheb Rupwate]], Abba P.  T. Madhale
| loksabha_leader  =  
| loksabha_leader  =  
| rajyasabha_leader =  
| rajyasabha_leader =  
Line 13: Line 14:
| predecessor      = [[Scheduled Castes Federation]]
| predecessor      = [[Scheduled Castes Federation]]
| headquarters      =  
| headquarters      =  
|successor          =*[[Republican Party of India (A)]] of [[Ramdas Athawale]]
*[[Republican Party of India (Athawale)]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Peoples Republican Party]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} Jogendra Kawade
*[[Republican Party of India (United)]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Republican Party of India (Gavai)]]<ref name="mid-day 1929">{{cite web | title=Veteran Republican Party of India leader R. S. Gavai no more | website=mid-day | date=30 October 1929 | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/veteran-republican-party-of-india-leader-r-s-gavai-no-more/16401152 | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> and [[Rajendra Gavai]]
*[[Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi]]<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite news|title=The two Ambedkarite parties, the Republican Party of India led by Ramdas Athawale and the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh led by Prakash Ambedkar|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ambedkarites-find-it-hard-to-stay-afloat/}}</ref>
*Rashtriya Republican Party of Annasaheb Katare<ref name="nrporg.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrporg.in/|title=NRP|website=www.nrporg.in|access-date=2017-02-25|archive-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226132626/http://www.nrporg.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Republican Party of India (S){{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Bahujan Samaj Party]]<ref name="The Quint">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/kanshi-ram-india-dalit-movement-mayawati-bsp|title=Kanshi Ram: The Bahujan Nayak of India's Dalit Movement|work=The Quint|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses">{{Cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/news/11705-kanshi-ram-leader-of-the-masses|title=Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses|website=www.milligazette.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-20|date=2015-02-12}}</ref>
| publication      =  
| publication      =  
| women            =
| peasants          =
| labors            =  
| labors            =  
| minorities        =  
| minorities        =  
| ideology          = [[Constitutionalism]]<br />[[Republicanism]]<br />[[Ambedkarism]]<br />[[Progressivism]]<br />[[Secularism]]<br />[[Egalitarianism]]
| ideology          ={{Plainlist|
|position          =  
* [[Constitutionalism]]
* [[Republicanism]]
* [[Ambedkarism]]
* [[Progressivism]]
* [[Secularism]]
* [[Egalitarianism]]}}
| position          =  
| alliance          =  
| alliance          =  
| international    =  
| international    =  
| eci              =  
| eci              =Dissolved
| loksabha_seats    =  
| loksabha_seats    =  
| rajyasabha_seats  =  
| rajyasabha_seats  =  
Line 31: Line 45:
| symbol            =
| symbol            =
}}
}}
 
The '''Republican Party of India''' ('''RPI''', often called the '''Republican Party''' or simply '''Republican''') was a [[political party]] in India.<ref name="dna 2014">{{cite web | title=In Ambedkar's state, Dalit parties stare at oblivion | website=dna | date=1 October 2014 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-in-ambedkar-s-state-dalit-parties-stare-at-oblivion-2022742 | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> It had its roots in the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation led by [[N. Sivaraj]] and [[B. R. Ambedkar]]. The party established by Ambedkar in 1956 was to serve as an entry point to the Republican Party of India (RPI).<ref>{{cite news|title=JNU |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jnu-scholars-to-revive-dr-ambedkars-political-school/article8800329.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 August 2016|date=2016-07-02|last1=Dahat|first1=Pavan}}</ref>
The '''Republican Party of India''' ('''RPI''', often called the '''Republican Party''' or simply '''Republican''') is a [[political party]] in India.<ref name="dna 2014">{{cite web | title=In Ambedkar's state, Dalit parties stare at oblivion | website=dna | date=1 October 2014 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-in-ambedkar-s-state-dalit-parties-stare-at-oblivion-2022742 | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> It has its roots in the Scheduled Castes Federation led by [[B. R. Ambedkar]]. The 'Training School for Entrance to Politics' was established by Ambedkar in 1956 which was to serve as an entry point to the Republican Party of India (RPI).<ref>{{cite news|title=JNU scholars will revive Dr. Ambedkar's Political School|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jnu-scholars-to-revive-dr-ambedkars-political-school/article8800329.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 August 2016|date=2016-07-02|last1=Dahat|first1=Pavan}}</ref> The first batch of the school consisted of 15 students. Its first batch turned out to be last batch as the school was closed after Ambedkar's death in 1956.


== Origins ==
== Origins ==
=== Independent Labour Party ===
The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was a political Organisation formed under the leadership of B. R. Ambedkar on 15 August 1936. It opposed the brahmanical and capitalist structures in India, supported the Indian working class and sought to dismantle the [[Caste system in India|caste system]].<ref>{{cite book |last1= Mendelsohn |first1=Olive |last2= Vicziany |first2=Marik |title=The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty and the State in Modern India |series=Contemporary South Asia |volume=4 |year=1998 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0521556712  |page=115 }}</ref>
The formation of the ILP was not welcomed or supported by the [[Communist Party of India|communist]] leaders, who argued that it would lead to a split in the working-class votes. Ambedkar replied that communist leaders were working for the rights for the worker but not for the human rights of Dalit workers.<ref name="Singh">{{cite book |editor1-first=Mahendra Prasad |editor1-last=Singh |title=Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers |year=2011 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-8131758519 |page=228}}</ref> In his work ''[[Annihilation of Caste]]'', Ambedkar put forth the idea that caste is not merely the 'division of labour' but 'division of labourers' based upon graded inequality.<ref name="Jaffrelot">{{cite book |last1=Jaffrelot |first1=Christophe |title=India's Silent Revolution: The Rise of the Lower Castes in North India |year=2003 |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers |isbn=978-1850653981 |pages=103–104}}</ref>
In the [[Indian Provincial Elections, 1937|1937 Provincial elections]], the ILP secured 14 of the 17 seats in which they contested. This included 11 of the 13 contested seats that were [[Reservation in India|reserved]] for traditionally oppressed communities.<ref name="Jaffrelot"/>
In 1938, the ILP, with the support of the [[Congress Socialist Party]], organised a march of 20,000 tenants from the Konkan region to [[Bombay]], marked the largest pre-independence peasant mobilisation in the region. In the same year, it also joined with Communists to organise Bombay textile labourers in opposition to the Industrial Disputes Bill intended to control [[right to strike|strike actions]] by the labourers. ILP opposed the bill in the [[Bombay Legislative Assembly]].<ref name="Singh"/>
=== Scheduled Castes Federation ===
=== Scheduled Castes Federation ===
[[File:Meenambal Sivaraj SCF women&#039;s conference 1945.jpg|thumb|[[Annai Meenambal]] (L), [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar]] (C) and Rao Bahadur [[N. Sivaraj]] (R) during "The All India SCF women's conference" held at Bombay, on May 6, 1945.]]
[[File:Meenambal Sivaraj SCF women&#039;s conference 1945.jpg|thumb|[[Annai Meenambal]] (L), [[B. R. Ambedkar]] (C) and [[N. Sivaraj]] (R) during "The All India SCF women's conference" held at Bombay, on May 6, 1945.]]


Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) was an organisation in India founded by B. R. Ambedkar in 1942 to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community. An executive body of All India SCF was elected in the convention. [[N. Sivaraj]] from [[Madras State]] was elected as President and [[P. N. Rajabhoj|P. N. Rajbhoj]] from [[Bombay State]] was elected as general secretary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Ambedkar and All India Scheduled Castes Federation|url=http://mulnivasiorganiser.bamcef.org/?p=257|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref>
The origins of the AISCF can be traced to the Madras Depressed Classes Federation, established by [[Rettamalai Srinivasan]] and [[N. Sivaraj]]. This organisation was later renamed the Madras Scheduled Castes Party in 1936<ref>{{cite web |title=Rettamalai Srinivasan |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rettamalai_Srinivasan}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=September 2025}} and subsequently became the Madras Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) in 1938. Meanwhile, in 1936, Ambedkar had founded the Independent Labour Party (ILP), which was primarily active in the former [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] and [[Central Provinces]].


Ambedkar had founded the Depressed Classes Federation (DCF) in 1930 and the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1935. Sources vary regarding which of these two bodies was succeeded by the SCF.<ref>{{cite book |title=Religion, Human Rights and International Law: A Critical Examination of Islamic State Practices |editor1-first=Javaid |editor1-last=Rehman |editor2-first=Susan |editor2-last=Breau |publisher=BRILL |year=2007 |isbn=978-9-04742-087-3 |first=David |last=Keane |chapter=Why the Hindu Caste System Presents a New Challenge for Human Rights|page=283 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-mwCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA283}}</ref>
In 1942, the Madras SCF and the ILP were reorganised and merged to form The All-India Scheduled Castes Federation (AISCF) in [[Prayagraj|Allahabad]] by N. Sivaraj and B. R. Ambedkar to advocate for the rights of the [[Dalit]] community.<ref name="raj">Sunil Purushotham. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4lQMEAAAQBAJ From Raj to Republic: Sovereignty, Violence, and Democracy in India]''. Stanford University Press, 2021. pp. 139-140</ref> During its founding convention, an executive body was elected, with N. Sivaraj from [[Madras State]] serving as President and [[P. N. Rajbhoj]] from [[Bombay State]] as General Secretary. Among the founding members was P. T. Madhale, along with others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Ambedkar and All India Scheduled Castes Federation|url=http://mulnivasiorganiser.bamcef.org/?p=257|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref>  
SCF later evolved into the Republican Party of India.


There was also a party called Scheduled Caste Federation in Pakistan after [[Partition of India|Partition]]. [[Ramnarayan Rawat]] stated that the SCF "created the space for an alternative to Congress-type 'nationalist' politics in post- 1947 Uttar Pradesh".<ref>{{cite book |last=Rajan |first=Nalini |year=1974 |title=Practising journalism: values, constraints, implications}}</ref>
In [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]] the Scheduled Castes Federation chapter led by [[Jogendra Nath Mandal]] championed maintaining the province united, a position the party shared with the Muslim League.<ref name="raj2">Sunil Purushotham. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4lQMEAAAQBAJ From Raj to Republic: Sovereignty, Violence, and Democracy in India]''. Stanford University Press, 2021. pp. 139-140</ref> When Pakistan was formed, Mandal joined the first [[Dominion of Pakistan]] government as Minister of Law and Labour .<ref name="raj2" /><ref name="hey">James Heyworth-Dunne. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=TS4BAAAAMAAJ Pakistan: The Birth of a New Muslim State]''. Renaissance Bookshop, 1952. pp. 79, 117</ref> In parallel Ambedkar held the post of Minister of Law in the [[Dominion of India]].<ref name="hey2">James Heyworth-Dunne. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=TS4BAAAAMAAJ Pakistan: The Birth of a New Muslim State]''. Renaissance Bookshop, 1952. pp. 79, 117</ref> Historian [[Ramnarayan Rawat]] has noted that the SCF "created the space for an alternative to Congress-type 'nationalist' politics in post-1947 [[Uttar Pradesh]]".<ref>{{cite book |last=Rajan |first=Nalini |year=1974 |title=Practising journalism: values, constraints, implications}}</ref>


=== Republican Party of India ===
=== Republican Party of India ===
On 30 September 1956, B. R. Ambedkar had announced the establishment of the "Republican Party of India" by dismissing the "Scheduled Castes Federation", but before the formation of the party, he died on 6 December 1956. After that, his followers and activists planned to form this party. A meeting of the Presidency was held at [[Nagpur]] on 1 October 1957 to establish the party. At this meeting, [[N. Sivaraj]], [[Yashwant Ambedkar]], P. T. Borale, A. G. Pawar, Datta Katti, [[Dadasaheb Rupwate]] were present. The ''Republican Party of India'' was formed on 3 October 1957. N. Sivaraj was elected as the President of the party.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Suryaputra Yashwantrao Ambedkar|last=Khobragade|first=Fulchand|publisher=Sanket Prakashan|year=2014|location=Nagpur|pages=20, 21|language=mr}}</ref>
On 30 September 1956, [[B. R. Ambedkar]] had announced the establishment of the "Republican Party of India" by dissolving the "Scheduled Castes Federation", but before the formation of the party, he died on 6 December 1956. After that, his followers and activists planned to form this party. A meeting of the Presidency was held at [[Nagpur]] on 1 October 1957 to establish the party. At this meeting, [[N. Sivaraj]], [[Yashwant Ambedkar]], P. T. Borale, A. G. Pawar, Datta Katti, [[Dadasaheb Rupwate]], Abba P. T. Madhale were present. The ''Republican Party of India'' was formed on 3 October 1957. [[N. Sivaraj]] was elected as the President of the party.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Suryaputra Yashwantrao Ambedkar|last=Khobragade|first=Fulchand|publisher=Sanket Prakashan|year=2014|location=Nagpur|pages=20, 21|language=mr}}</ref>


In 1957, nine members of the party were elected to the [[second Lok Sabha]]. This is the biggest achievement of Ambedkar's party so far.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loksatta.com/wanchitanche-vartaman-news/sukhadeo-thorat-article-about-ambedkar-movement-1749355/|title=विचारधारेपासून दुरावणारी आंबेडकरी चळवळ}}</ref>
In 1957, six members of the party were elected to the [[second Lok Sabha]]. This is the biggest achievement of Ambedkar's party so far.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loksatta.com/wanchitanche-vartaman-news/sukhadeo-thorat-article-about-ambedkar-movement-1749355/|title=विचारधारेपासून दुरावणारी आंबेडकरी चळवळ}}</ref>


==Factionism==
==Factionalism==
During the recent years RPI suffered severe internal strife.<ref name="timesofindia-economictimes 2015">{{cite web | title=Poke Me: Has Indian politics failed BR Ambedkar? | website=timesofindia-economictimes | date=16 April 2015 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/poke-me/poke-me-has-indian-politics-failed-br-ambedkar/articleshow/46947342.cms?from=mdr | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> Several distinct parties claim the name of RPI.<ref name="TNN 2014">{{cite web | author=TNN | title=RPI factions clash on Ambedkar death anniversary | website=The Times of India | date=7 December 2014 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/RPI-factions-clash-on-Ambedkar-death-anniversary/articleshow/45400281.cms | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> There are more than 50 factions of RPI. In 2009, all factions of RPI except [[Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar|Prakash Ambedkar]]'s [[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]] reunited to form a united "[[Republican Party of India (United)]]". One of the main people responsible for this was Rabbi Madan. Later, [[Republican Party of India (Gavai)]] and [[Republican Party of India (A)]] led by [[Ramdas Athawale]] split again from the united party. Splinter groups of RPI include:
After Ambedkar's death, RPI suffered severe internal strife.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Luce |first=Edward |title=In Spite of The Gods: The Rise of Modern India |publisher=[[Anchor Books]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4000-7977-3 |edition=1st Anchor Books |location=New York |pages=113 |author-link=Edward Luce}}</ref> Several distinct parties claim the name of RPI.<ref name="TNN 2014">{{cite web | author=TNN | title=RPI factions clash on Ambedkar death anniversary | website=The Times of India | date=7 December 2014 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/RPI-factions-clash-on-Ambedkar-death-anniversary/articleshow/45400281.cms | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> There are more than 50 factions of RPI. In 2009, all factions of RPI except [[Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar|Prakash Ambedkar]]'s [[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]] reunited to form a united "[[Republican Party of India (United)]]". One of the main people responsible for this was Rabbi Madan. Later, [[Republican Party of India (Gavai)]] and [[Republican Party of India (A)]] led by [[Ramdas Athawale]] split again from the united party. Successors of the RPI are:
*[[Republican Party of India (A)]] of [[Ramdas Athawale]]
*[[Republican Party of India (Athawale)]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Republican Party of India (A)]] of [[M.G. Nagamani]]
*[[Peoples Republican Party]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}
*[[Republican Party of India (United)]]
*[[Republican Party of India (United)]]{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Republican Party of India (Gavai)]] of [[R. S. Gavai]]<ref name="mid-day 1929">{{cite web | title=Veteran Republican Party of India leader R. S. Gavai no more | website=mid-day | date=30 October 1929 | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/veteran-republican-party-of-india-leader-r-s-gavai-no-more/16401152 | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> and [[Rajendra Gavai]]
*[[Republican Party of India (Gavai)]]<ref name="mid-day 1929">{{cite web | title=Veteran Republican Party of India leader R. S. Gavai no more | website=mid-day | date=30 October 1929 | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/veteran-republican-party-of-india-leader-r-s-gavai-no-more/16401152 | access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref>
*[[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]] of [[Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar|Prakash Ambedkar]]<ref>{{cite news|title=The two Ambedkarite parties, the Republican Party of India led by Ramdas Athawale and the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh led by Prakash Ambedkar|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ambedkarites-find-it-hard-to-stay-afloat/}}</ref>
*[[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]]<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{cite news|title=The two Ambedkarite parties, the Republican Party of India led by Ramdas Athawale and the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh led by Prakash Ambedkar|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ambedkarites-find-it-hard-to-stay-afloat/}}</ref>
*Rashtriya Republican Party of Annasaheb Katare<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrporg.in/|title=NRP|website=www.nrporg.in|access-date=2017-02-25}}</ref>
*Rashtriya Republican Party{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Republican Party of India (S)]] of [[Shyam Gaikwad]]
*Republican Party of India (S){{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
*[[Bahujan Samaj Party]] founder [[Kanshi Ram]] worked with RPI for eight years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/kanshi-ram-india-dalit-movement-mayawati-bsp|title=Kanshi Ram: The Bahujan Nayak of India's Dalit Movement|work=The Quint|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/news/11705-kanshi-ram-leader-of-the-masses|title=Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses|website=www.milligazette.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-20|date=2015-02-12}}</ref>
*[[Bahujan Samaj Party]]<ref name="The Quint">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/kanshi-ram-india-dalit-movement-mayawati-bsp|title=Kanshi Ram: The Bahujan Nayak of India's Dalit Movement|work=The Quint|access-date=2018-05-20|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses">{{Cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/news/11705-kanshi-ram-leader-of-the-masses|title=Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses|website=www.milligazette.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-20|date=2015-02-12}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 14:39, 2 January 2026


For other parties of this name, see Republican Party of India (disambiguation).


Republican Party of India
FounderDadasaheb Gaikwad,
N. Sivaraj,
Yashwant Ambedkar,
P. T. Borale,
A. G. Pawar,
Datta Katti,
Dadasaheb Rupwate, Abba P. T. Madhale
Founded3 October 1957
Preceded byScheduled Castes Federation
Succeeded by
Ideology
ColoursBlue
ECI StatusDissolved

The Republican Party of India (RPI, often called the Republican Party or simply Republican) was a political party in India.[6] It had its roots in the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation led by N. Sivaraj and B. R. Ambedkar. The party established by Ambedkar in 1956 was to serve as an entry point to the Republican Party of India (RPI).[7]

Origins[edit | edit source]

Scheduled Castes Federation[edit | edit source]

Annai Meenambal (L), B. R. Ambedkar (C) and N. Sivaraj (R) during "The All India SCF women's conference" held at Bombay, on May 6, 1945.

The origins of the AISCF can be traced to the Madras Depressed Classes Federation, established by Rettamalai Srinivasan and N. Sivaraj. This organisation was later renamed the Madras Scheduled Castes Party in 1936[8][circular reference] and subsequently became the Madras Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) in 1938. Meanwhile, in 1936, Ambedkar had founded the Independent Labour Party (ILP), which was primarily active in the former Bombay and Central Provinces.

In 1942, the Madras SCF and the ILP were reorganised and merged to form The All-India Scheduled Castes Federation (AISCF) in Allahabad by N. Sivaraj and B. R. Ambedkar to advocate for the rights of the Dalit community.[9] During its founding convention, an executive body was elected, with N. Sivaraj from Madras State serving as President and P. N. Rajbhoj from Bombay State as General Secretary. Among the founding members was P. T. Madhale, along with others.[10]

In Bengal the Scheduled Castes Federation chapter led by Jogendra Nath Mandal championed maintaining the province united, a position the party shared with the Muslim League.[11] When Pakistan was formed, Mandal joined the first Dominion of Pakistan government as Minister of Law and Labour .[11][12] In parallel Ambedkar held the post of Minister of Law in the Dominion of India.[13] Historian Ramnarayan Rawat has noted that the SCF "created the space for an alternative to Congress-type 'nationalist' politics in post-1947 Uttar Pradesh".[14]

Republican Party of India[edit | edit source]

On 30 September 1956, B. R. Ambedkar had announced the establishment of the "Republican Party of India" by dissolving the "Scheduled Castes Federation", but before the formation of the party, he died on 6 December 1956. After that, his followers and activists planned to form this party. A meeting of the Presidency was held at Nagpur on 1 October 1957 to establish the party. At this meeting, N. Sivaraj, Yashwant Ambedkar, P. T. Borale, A. G. Pawar, Datta Katti, Dadasaheb Rupwate, Abba P. T. Madhale were present. The Republican Party of India was formed on 3 October 1957. N. Sivaraj was elected as the President of the party.[15]

In 1957, six members of the party were elected to the second Lok Sabha. This is the biggest achievement of Ambedkar's party so far.[16]

Factionalism[edit | edit source]

After Ambedkar's death, RPI suffered severe internal strife.[17] Several distinct parties claim the name of RPI.[18] There are more than 50 factions of RPI. In 2009, all factions of RPI except Prakash Ambedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh reunited to form a united "Republican Party of India (United)". One of the main people responsible for this was Rabbi Madan. Later, Republican Party of India (Gavai) and Republican Party of India (A) led by Ramdas Athawale split again from the united party. Successors of the RPI are:

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Veteran Republican Party of India leader R. S. Gavai no more". mid-day. 30 October 1929. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The two Ambedkarite parties, the Republican Party of India led by Ramdas Athawale and the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh led by Prakash Ambedkar".
  3. ↑ "NRP". www.nrporg.in. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kanshi Ram: The Bahujan Nayak of India's Dalit Movement". The Quint. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Kanshi Ram: Leader of the Masses". www.milligazette.com. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "In Ambedkar's state, Dalit parties stare at oblivion". dna. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Dahat, Pavan (2 July 2016). "JNU". The Hindu. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Rettamalai Srinivasan".
  9. ↑ Sunil Purushotham. From Raj to Republic: Sovereignty, Violence, and Democracy in India. Stanford University Press, 2021. pp. 139-140
  10. ↑ "Dr. Ambedkar and All India Scheduled Castes Federation". Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Sunil Purushotham. From Raj to Republic: Sovereignty, Violence, and Democracy in India. Stanford University Press, 2021. pp. 139-140
  12. ↑ James Heyworth-Dunne. Pakistan: The Birth of a New Muslim State. Renaissance Bookshop, 1952. pp. 79, 117
  13. ↑ James Heyworth-Dunne. Pakistan: The Birth of a New Muslim State. Renaissance Bookshop, 1952. pp. 79, 117
  14. ↑ Rajan, Nalini (1974). Practising journalism: values, constraints, implications.
  15. ↑ Khobragade, Fulchand (2014). Suryaputra Yashwantrao Ambedkar (in मराठी). Nagpur: Sanket Prakashan. pp. 20, 21.
  16. ↑ "विचारधारेपासून दुरावणारी आंबेडकरी चळवळ".
  17. ↑ Luce, Edward (2007). In Spite of The Gods: The Rise of Modern India (1st Anchor Books ed.). New York: Anchor Books. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-4000-7977-3.
  18. ↑ TNN (7 December 2014). "RPI factions clash on Ambedkar death anniversary". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
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