Bhaurao Krishnaji Gaikwad (15 October 1902 – 29 December 1971), also known as Dadasaheb Gaikwad, was an Indian politician and social worker from Maharashtra.[1] He was founder member of the Republican Party of India and was a member of parliament in both the Lok Sabha (1957 - 1962) and Rajya Sabha (1962 - 1968).[2] He was a close colleague and follower of human rights leader B. R. Ambedkar. The people of Maharashtra honoured him with the sobriquet Karmaveer (King of actions) and the Government of India awarded him with Padma Shri in 1968 for his dedicated service to society.

Karmaveer
Dadasaheb Gaikwad
Gaikwad on a 2002 stamp of India
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1957–1962
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha for Maharashtra
In office
1962–1968
Personal details
Born
Bhaurao Krishnaji Gaikwad

15 October 1902 (1902-10-15)
Ambe, Bombay Presidency, British India
(now in Maharashtra, India)
Died29 December 1971 (1971-12-30) (aged 69)
Willingdon Hospital, New Delhi
Political partyRepublican Party of India
Spouse(s)Seetabai (m. 1912 – d. 1968)
Geetabai (m. 1921)
Occupationpolitician
ProfessionSocial activist

Life

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Gaikwad (right) with Babasaheb Ambedkar (left) at Nashik railway station, November 1945

Gaikwad was born on 15 October 1902 into Mahar family at Ambe village in Dindori tehsil, Nashik district of Maharashtra.[3][4]

Conversion

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Gaikwad embraced Buddhism at the hands of Babasaheb Ambedkar at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur on 14 October 1956.[5] He imparted Buddha Dhamma Diksha to thousands at Chaitya Bhoomi, Mumbai on 7 December 1956.[5]

Legacy

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Government of Maharashtra gives special assistance to socially and economically backward people on his name, Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad Sabalikaran & Swabhiman Yojana.[6]

The Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in his honour in 2002.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Kshirsagar, Ramchandra (1994). Dalit Movement in India and its Leaders. M.D. Publications Pvt. pp. 214–217. ISBN 81-85880-43-3.
  2. ^ "Alphabetical list of Rajyasabha members since 1952". Government of India. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  3. ^ Nimbalkar, Waman (2011). Letters by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to Dadasaheb Gaikwad (in Marathi and English). Nagpur: Prabodhan Prakashan. p. 518.
  4. ^ Kshīrasāgara, Rāmacandra (1994). Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-81-85880-43-3.
  5. ^ a b Nimbalkar, Waman (2011). Letters by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar to Dadasaheb Gaikwad (in Marathi and English). Nagpur: Prabodhan Prakashan. p. 522.
  6. ^ "Karmaveer Dadasaheb Gaikwad Sabalikaran & Swabhiman Yojana".
  7. ^ "Bhaurao Krishnarao Gaikwad". Indianpost.com. 26 August 2002. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
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