Republican Party of India | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founder | Dadasaheb Gaikwad, N. Sivaraj, Yashwant Ambedkar, P. T. Borale, A. G. Pawar, Datta Katti, Dadasaheb Rupwate, Abba P. T. Madhale |
| Founded | 3rd October 1957 |
| Preceded by | Scheduled Castes Federation |
| Succeeded by |
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| Ideology | |
| Colours | Blue |
| ECI Status | Dissolved |
TheRepublican Party of India (RPI, often called theRepublican Party or simplyRepublican) was apolitical party in India.[6] It had its roots in the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation led byN. Sivaraj andB. R. Ambedkar. The party established by Ambedkar in 1956 was to serve as an entry point to the Republican Party of India (RPI).[7]
The origins of the AISCF can be traced to the Madras Depressed Classes Federation, established byRettamalai Srinivasan andN. 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 formerBombay andCentral Provinces.
In 1942, the Madras SCF and the ILP were reorganised and merged to form The All-India Scheduled Castes Federation (AISCF) inAllahabad by N. Sivaraj and B. R. Ambedkar to advocate for the rights of theDalit community.[9] During its founding convention, an executive body was elected, with N. Sivaraj fromMadras State serving as President andP. N. Rajbhoj fromBombay State as General Secretary. Among the founding members was P. T. Madhale, along with others.[10]
InBengal the Scheduled Castes Federation chapter led byJogendra Nath Mandal championed maintaining the province united, a position the party shared with the Muslim League.[11] When Pakistan was formed, Mandal joined the firstDominion of Pakistan government as Minister of Law and Labour .[11][12] In parallel Ambedkar held the post of Minister of Law in theDominion of India.[13] HistorianRamnarayan Rawat has noted that the SCF "created the space for an alternative to Congress-type 'nationalist' politics in post-1947Uttar Pradesh".[14]
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 atNagpur 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. TheRepublican 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 thesecond Lok Sabha. This is the biggest achievement of Ambedkar's party so far.[16]
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 exceptPrakash Ambedkar'sBharipa 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) andRepublican Party of India (A) led byRamdas Athawale split again from the united party. Successors of the RPI are: