BeckyK8455 at 01:42, 29 January 2026

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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Arun Krushnaji Kamble
| image = Arun Kamble 3.JPG
| caption = Arun Kamble
| birth_date = {{Birth date |df=yes|1953|03|14}}
| birth_place = Kargani, Athpadi, [[Sangli]], Maharashtra, India
| death_date = {{Death date|df=yes|2009|12|20}} (aged 56)
| death_place = [[Hyderabad]], India
| years_active =
| known_for = [[Dalit|Dalit rights movement]] 
[[Dalit Buddhist movement]] [[Dalit Panthers|Dalit Panther Of India]] [[Ambedkarism]]
| notable_works = Cultural struggle in Ramayana Janata Conversion of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Epoch Maker Ambedkar
| party = [[Dalit Panther]], [[Janata Dal]]
| children = Aparant Kamble Ashutosh Kamble
| mother = [[Shantabai Kamble]]
| website = {{URL|http://arunkamble.com/}}
}}

'''Arun Krushnaji Kamble''' (14 March 1953 – 20 December 2009) was an Indian [[Marathi language]] writer, professor, Politician, and [[Dalit]] activist.<ref name="dnaindia.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-dalit-activist-arun-kamble-may-have-drowned-1325782|title=Dalit activist Arun Kamble may have drowned|date=21 December 2009|website=dna}}</ref> Arun Kamble, President and one of the founding members of [[Dalit Panthers of India]], worked as a Head of [[Marathi language|Marathi]] department at [[University of Mumbai]]. He was the National General Secretary of [[Janata Dal]]. He took many major decisions in favour of [[Dalit]], [[Backward Class]] and [[Minorities]].

==Introduction==
[[File:Prof.Arun Kamble in early age.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Kamble in early age]]
Kamble formed [[Dalit Panthers|Dalit Panther of India]] as a social organisation alongside [[Namdeo Dhasal]] and [[Raja Dhale]] in 1976. Later Kamble became the National General Secretary of [[Janata Dal]] and worked with former Prime Minister [[V. P. Singh]]. He [[Namantar Andolan|demanded the renaming]] of [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University|Marathwada University]] to "Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University". Kamble, a writer, poet and editor, authored many books such as ''Cultural Struggle in [[Ramayana]]'', ''Conversion of [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar]]'', ''Cheevar'', ''Vaad-Samvad'', ''Yug-Pravartak Ambedkar'', ''Chalvaliche Diwas'', and ''Tarkateerth Ek Vadato-Vyaghyat''. He was awarded with many accolades such as "The Prabuddha Ratna Puraskar", Life Time Achievement International Award. Some of his works have been translated into English, German, French, Gujarati, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu (Dalit Awaaz) and Hindi (Suraj ke Vansh-dhar).{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

==Biography==

===Early days===
[[File:Arun Kamble 2.JPG|thumb|left|Arun Kamble and [[Savita Ambedkar|Maisaheb Ambedkar]] in Dalit Panther days.]]
Kamble was born on 14 March 1953, in [[Mahar]] [[Dalit]] family of village-Kargani, [[Atpadi]] near [[Sangli]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} He was a follower of Dr. [[B. R. Ambedkar]] as Dr. Ambedkar was an inspiration to him. His mother and father both were School Headmaster in [[Sangli]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} His mother [[Shantabai Kamble]] and father Krushnaji Kamble have written autobiographies called ''[[Majya Jalmachi Chittarkatha]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nabindia.org/docs/talking_books_marathi_list.doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719045627/http://www.nabindia.org/docs/talking_books_marathi_list.doc|url-status=usurped|title=Majhya Jalmachi Chitra Katha(TYBA) Shantabai K. Kamble|archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref> and ''Mi Krushna'' respectively. His father was a well known personality in Kargani district.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

===Education===
His school days were in Athapadi and Dighanchi at [[Sangli]]. He completed B.A. (honors) from [[Sangli|Willingdon College]], [[Fergusson College|Deccan Education Society]], [[Sangli]] in 1974. Later he earned his M.A. from [[The Buddha and His Dhamma|Siddhartha College]] in 1976 with distinction in "Shodhnibandh ani Shodhnibandhachi Lekhan Paddhati". His major interests were [[Dalit literature]] and [[B. R. Ambedkar|Ambedkarite Movement]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

===Academic career===
[[File:Prof. Arun Kamble discussing some issues with Former Prime minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.jpg|thumb|right|Prof. Arun Kamble in discussion with Former Prime minister [[Indira Gandhi|Mrs. Indira Gandhi]]]]

He joined Dr. Ambedkar College of Commerce and Economics, [[Wadala]], [[Mumbai]] in 1976 as a lecturer of Marathi (1976–1985). Later he joined Kirti College, Dadar (W), Mumbai (1985–1989). In 1990 he joined the [[University of Mumbai]] as a "Reader". Until his death he was a PhD Guide in Marathi Department and also was Head of Phule, [[Chattrapati Shahu|Shahu]] Chair in [[University of Mumbai]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

==Political and Social career==
Kamble was the National President and one of the founding members of [[Dalit Panther]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/dalit.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/57323d360c9724cde5256d500034a9b8/$FILE/ced05023.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713025218/http://www.indiarightsonline.com/Sabrang/dalit.nsf/38b852a8345861dd65256a980059289d/57323d360c9724cde5256d500034a9b8/%24FILE/ced05023.pdf|url-status=dead|title=violent turn to marathwada stir 7 dec 1979|archive-date=13 July 2011}}</ref> He was also the National General Secretary of [[Janata Dal]], a member of the [[Janata Dal|National Election Committee]] – Janata Dal (Parliamentary Board), and in charge of Election Committee of Bihar State. He successfully led the [[Namantar Andolan]] of [[Marathwada University]] as a president of [[Dalit Panther]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

When the dispute arose on the book ''[[Riddles in Hinduism]]'' (Appendix, Riddles of Ram & Krishna) authored by Dr. Ambedkar, Kamble led an intellectual fight and a march with Ten Lakh people (January 1987) and the provision for reservation to [[Buddhist]], [[Backward class]], and [[minorities]] with Prime Minister [[V. P. Singh]]. He got promises and assurance to implement the [[Mandal Commission]]; Second Backward class Commission,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kCwpXZlKqL0C&pg=PA79|title=Dalit Visions: The Anti-caste Movement and the Construction of an Indian Identity|last=Omvedt|first=Gail|date=1 February 2019|publisher=Orient Blackswan|page=79|via=Google Books|isbn=9788125028956}}</ref> with an immediate effect (1989).{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

[[File:Arun Kamble 4.JPG|thumb|left|Professor Arun Kamble in conversation with former Prime Minister V.P. Singh. This picture was taken during the World Conference on Buddha, Phule, Ambedkar's Literature at Kalyan (Maharashtra).]]

Kamble resigned from [[Janata Dal]] on the issue of Dalit president of India. He led a march as a President of Dalit Panther during an Assembly Session at [[Nagpur]] on the issue of publishing Dr. Ambedkar's complete body of literature (1979). He later worked as a member of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Charitra Sadhane Publication which was borne by a march.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Kamble worked as an editor for the book ''Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings & Speeches''. Maharashtra Government declared a decision to omit a part from the Appendix (Riddles in Hinduism, 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches' Volume 4). For this issue he left the editor's committee and filed a lawsuit in the High Court against the Maharashtra Government.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

He inaugurated 'Manusmruti Cremation Conference' at [[Karur]] by [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|Dravida Kazhagam]], founded by [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy]] (1983). He also inaugurated and led a march to protest against the outrageous behavior on Dalit community at [[Hyderabad|Karamchedu]] (1987). He led Samajik Nyay Jyoti (Social Justice Flame) with [[Ram Vilas Paswan]] from [[Hyderabad|Chundur]] to New Delhi (1992). He was the Chief Guest at 'All India Dalit Writer's Conference' (October 1987) and worked as a convener of the 'All India Dalit Writer's Association. He inaugurated a Social Gathering of Dalit Literature at Bangalore (1986) and gave a speech at the conference of the [[Mandal Commission|Namantar-Mandal]] (1984). He inaugurated the 9th Marathi Conference at [[Badoda]] (1995) and gave a speech at the All India Dalit Liberation conference (6 December 1987). He undertook an editorial work for the periodicals ''Ambedkar Bharat'', ''Shoonya'', and ''Sangharsh''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

===Committee undertakings===
Kamble worked as a member of [[Indian Police Service|National Police Commission]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://police.pondicherry.gov.in/Police%20Commission%20reports/8th%20Police%20Commission%20report.pdf|title=Eighth Report National Police Commission – Contents Appendices|access-date=21 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816051615/http://police.pondicherry.gov.in/Police%20Commission%20reports/8th%20Police%20Commission%20report.pdf|archive-date=16 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> and as a committee member for the advisory board of Special Department for Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes at the [[University of Mumbai]]. He was a president of 3rd All India Conference on Dr. Ambedkar's Literature at [[Wardha]] and also a president at the World Conference on Buddha, Phule, and Ambedkar Literature at [[Kalyan]] ( 23–25 March 2002).{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

==Major works==

===Poetical works===
*"Arun Krushnaji Kamble" (1983) Awarded Best Poetry Collection by [[Marathi language|Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad]].
*"Mudra"

===Prose works===

*"Ramayanatil Samskrutik Sangharsh"- (''Cultural Struggle in Ramayana'')
*Ramayanatil Samskruti Sangharsh by Prof. Arun Kamble
*"Ramayanma Samskrutik Sangharsh"- Published by Subhash Palekar on 6 December 1993.
*"Janata Patratil Lekh"(''Janata''Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, Edited by Arun Kamble − 7 appendices and 47 pages preface) Published by [[University of Mumbai]] and [[Publication|Popular Publication]], 1993.
*"Cheevar"-(Essays on Literature and Culture), Ashay Publication, 1995.
*"Yug Pravartak Ambedkar"-(Epoch Making Ambedkar) Ashay Publication, 1995.
*"Chalvache Diwas"- (Reminisances of the Agitations), Ashay Publication, 1995.
*"Vad Samvad"-(Debate and Dialog) an Intellectual Prose, Pratima Publication – 1996, Pune.
*"Dharmantarachi Bheemgarjana" Conversion of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar) – Pratima Publication – 1996, Pune.
*"Marathi Intellectual Prose", Edited by Arun Kamble and other, Text prepared for B.A. (University of Mumbai), Pratima Publication, 2003.
*"Tarkateerth Laxmanshastri Joshi—Ek Vadatovyaghyat", Critical writing on Laxmanshastri Joshi, Ambedkar Bharat Publication, 1987.

===Translations===
*"Priya Adarker" translated a selection of his poems into English under the title ''Arun Kamble: Arun Krushnaji Kamble, Poems''.<ref name=Adarker>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jKy28jPKZhEC|title=Poisoned Bread: Translations from Modern Marathi Dalit Literature|first=Arjuna|last=Ḍāṅgaḷe|date=1 February 1992|publisher=Orient Longman|via=Google Books|isbn=9780863112546}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=February 2019}}
*"Modern Indian Poetry" Published by<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnGgAAAAMAAJ|title=Modern Indian poetry|first=Pritish|last=Nandy|date=1 February 1974|publisher=Arnold-Heinemann Publishers (India)|isbn=9780435990190|via=Google Books}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=February 2019}} [[Pritish Nandy]].
*"[https://www.flipkart.com/anthology-dalit-literature-poems/p/itmdytfg3gag9uh8?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzI7QwNnR3wIVhh0rCh0gdwDyEAQYASABEgIpvfD_BwE&pid=9788121204194&lid=LSTBOK9788121204194ZNGLFS&marketplace=FLIPKART&tgi=sem,1,G,11214002,g,search,,291072750917,1o1,,,m,,mobile,,,,,&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIzI7QwNnR3wIVhh0rCh0gdwDyEAQYASABEgIpvfD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!739!3!291072750917!!!g!295092701166! An Anthology of Dalit Literature]", Edited by Eleanor Zelliot and [[Mulk Raj Anand]].
*Poems published on the cover page, Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, Journals of [[University of Michigan|Michigan University]], USA 1978 & 1998.
*"Some Aspects of Half Social Justice, Krishna Aiyar
*From "[Untouchable to Dalit", Eleanor Zelliot ([[Carleton College]], USA), Manohar 2005.
*"Poisoned Bread" Edited by Arjun Dangle, Orient Longman and Co. 1992.

[[File:Kamble Family tree diagram 2.JPG|600px|centre]]

==Speeches==
* Speech at Panvel.
* Speech at Pandharpur
* Speech at Amaravati
* Speech at Parbhani
* Documentary on Dalits (Mumbai's Way: Il buddismo negli slum. Visita a Daharawi con il Dr. Arun Kamble).

==Death==
Kamble was found dead in a lake at [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. News of his suspected death in a mysterious manner came as a major shock to his friends in socio-political circles.<ref name="dnaindia.com"/> Kamble had gone to Hyderabad on 13 December 2009 to take part in an international seminar at Birla Scientific Institute in Saifabad and went missing the next day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=6e60c1f2-eedc-46e2-9721-d1d61deff180&CATEGORYNAME=NATL |title=Kamble did not commit suicide, says sister |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708143249/http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=6e60c1f2-eedc-46e2-9721-d1d61deff180&CATEGORYNAME=NATL |archive-date=8 July 2011 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Arun Krushnaji Kamble}}
* [https://www.facebook.com/Professor-Arun-Kamble-Fan-Page-217017945010697/ (official website)]

{{Leaders of Janata Dal}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamble, Arun Krushnaji}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male poets]]
[[Category:Marathi-language poets]]
[[Category:Dalit activists]]
[[Category:Dalit writers]]
[[Category:Marathi politicians]]
[[Category:Janata Dal politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Poets from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Navayana Buddhists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Buddhists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian Buddhists]]

Arun Krushnaji Kamble - Revision history

BeckyK8455 at 01:42, 29 January 2026