B. D. Khobragade

Bhaurao Dewaji Khobragade (25 September 1925 – 9 April 1984), commonly known as Rajabhau Khobragade, was an Indian barrister, 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.^[2] Khobragade was an Ambedkarite and leader of Republican Party of India (RPI).^[3][4][5][6] He hails from Mahar (Scheduled Caste) community and, in 1956 he converted to Buddhism along with B. R. Ambedkar.^[3][5][7]

B. D. Khobragade
Khobragade 2009 stamp of India
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	(1925-09-25)25 September 1925[1] Chandrapur, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India)
Died	9 April 1984(1984-04-09) (aged 58)
Political party	• Republican Party of India  • All Indian Republican Party
Spouse	Indumati Khobragade
Occupation	Lawyer Social activist Politician
Known for	Activism in Ambedkarite movement and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

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 expenses and the rest were scholarship students.^[7]

The All Indian Republican Party 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.^[3][5]

Honors

Indian Post issued a stamp dedicated to Khobragade in 2009.^[8]