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{{Short description|Indian social reformer (1905–1978)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office = Pramukh Sanchalika of [[Rashtra Sevika Samiti]]
| image = LaxmiBaiKelkar.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1905|07|05|df=yes}}
| birth_name = Kamal Datey
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1978|11|27|1905|07|05|df=yes}}
| title = Mausiji
| name =
| parents = Bhaskarrao Datey, Yashodabai
| spouse = Purshottam Rao Kelkar
| term_start = October 1936
| term_end = November 1978
| order =
| preceded = Position established
| succeeded = Saraswati Apte
}}

'''Laxmibai Kelkar''' (5 July 1905 – 27 November 1978),<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Saxena |first1=Chinmaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9zfqEAAAQBAJ |title=The RSS: 100 Years of Service, Dedication & Nation Building |last2=Singh |first2=Ayushman |date=2023-12-27 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=979-8-89186-919-6 |language=en}}</ref> born '''Kamal Datey''', and also known as "Mausiji", was an Indian [[Reformism (historical)|social reformer]]. In 1936, she founded the [[Hindutva]] women's organisation [[Rashtra Sevika Samiti]].<ref name=":1" />

== Early life and education ==
Kamal Datey was born on July 5, 1905, in [[Nagpur]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Teachers and Parents - Biographies |url=http://www.balagokulam.org/teach/biographies/mousi2.php |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.balagokulam.org}}</ref> Her father, Bhaskarrao Datey, worked in the [[Indian Audit and Accounts Service|Accountant General]]'s office, and her mother, Yashodabai, was a homemaker.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Kamal began her education at a missionary school, but she left and later attended the Hindu Girls School. She left the school for unknown reasons.<ref name=":1" />

== Biography ==

=== Marriage ===
In accordance with the customs of her time, Kamal married a lawyer, Purshottam Rao Kelkar, and she changed her name to Laxmibai Purshottam Kelkar. Her husband was friends with Congress member [[Narayan Bhaskar Khare]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Basu |first1=Amrita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIKAEAAAQBAJ |title=Women, Gender and Religious Nationalism |last2=Sarkar |first2=Tanika |date=2022-11-10 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-009-27654-2 |pages=35–38 |language=en}}</ref> In 1932, her husband died. She had six sons and two daughters.<ref name=":2" />

=== Involvement in the Indian independence movement ===
After the death of [[Lokmanya Tilak]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]] left [[Sabarmati Ashram|Sabarmati]] and selected [[Sevagram]] as his [[ashram]]. Living near the Sevagram ashram, she participated in meetings, ''prabhat pheries'' (morning processions), and other activities.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Laxmibai Kelkar and foundation of Rashtra Sevika Samiti on Vijayadashmi |url=https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2022/10/4/Vijayadashmi-Samiti.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.newsbharati.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Founding of Rashtra Sevika Samiti ===
She was introduced to the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) through her sons.<ref name=":1" /> In 1936, Laxmibai met [[K. B. Hedgewar]], the founder of the RSS.<ref name=":2" /> After this meeting, she founded the [[Rashtra Sevika Samiti]] on October 25, 1936, in [[Wardha]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Chandrababu |first1=B. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NZmyUpHdPWYC |title=Woman, Her History and Her Struggle for Emancipation |last2=Thilagavathi |first2=L. |date=2009 |publisher=Bharathi Puthakalayam |isbn=978-81-89909-97-0 |pages=534 |language=en}}</ref>

== Death ==
Laxmibai Kelkar died on November 27, 1978.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Women Indian independence activists]]
[[Category:1905 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]
[[Category:Rashtra Sevika Samiti members]]

Laxmibai Kelkar - Revision history

imported>HTDCourtney at 14:49, 2 April 2026