B.D. Khobragade
thumb Bhaurao Dewaji Khobragade (25 September 1925 – 9 April 1984) was the leader of Republican Party of India (Khobragade) in Maharashtra, a splinter group of Republican Party of India.
He was born on Sep 25, 1925 at Chandrapur,Maharashtra,India.Died on April 9, 1984 Bhaurao Khobragde ,affectionately called Rajabhau,was born on 25.09.1925 in Chandrapur,Maharashtra to Shri Dewaji and Smt Indira Bai. His father was a forest contractor and social worker. Rajabhau Khobragade had his early education in 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.B.R.Ambedkar,he went London to study law at the Lincoln College in 1950. His leadership qualities were evident from his student days. He was elected the Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Caste Students Federation in october 1953. Rajabhau had great organisational and team building capabilities Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, spotting the talent had entrusted the election campaign and the campaign for conversion to buddhism to Rajabhau which he completed successfully.After the death of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,Rajabhau Khobragade was instrumental in bringing together the leaders of Dalit movement and forming the Republican Party Of Indiato fulfil the wishes of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar. At the age of 33, in1958,he was elected to Rajya Sabha and again for second time in December 1966. He had the honour of being Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha from December 1961 to April 1972. Rajabhau was a member of the Rajya Sabha for 18 years. He had a firm conviction that giving lands to landless farmers would reduce unemployment and boost the production of food grains .To achieve this object he started Satyagraha in1961. Another area of his interest was education of the downtrodden.Realizing that good education alone can uplift downtrodden people and brig all round growth and development, he opened schools and colleges. He advocated free education to all children from the age of 6-14.
He also started a weekly newspaper Prajasatta, using it as a vehicle to put across his views.
He visited many countries like Ireland,France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, USA, Hong Kong, China, Bhutan, Thailand and Ceylon. In September 1965, on the invitation of the American government, Rajabhau visited USA where he met Martin Luther King Jr with whom he discussed the civil rights issues. Rajabhau Khobragade was a revolutionary leader who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden throughout his life. He did not have children but his younger brother Girish's children are considered his legacy. His nephew's are working for Republican Movement and his Grandsons are working as a youth workers for betterment of Republican Movement
He died on 9 April 1984.[1]