Ratnappa Kumbhar

Ratnappa Kumbhar Biography

Ratnappa Kumbhar was an Indian independence activist and politician who actively participated in the Indian independence movement. He is best remembered as one of the key person aside B. R. Ambedkar to sign the Final Draft of the Constitution of India. He got elected to parliament in 1952 and he was a member of the committee that framed Indian Constitution. He also played an important role in establishing a sugar mill in Ichalkaranji. For his contributions towards social service, he was honoured with fourth highest civilian Padma Shri by government of India in 1985. He was a prominent figure in Maharashtra state politics as well, who was a legislator, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Member of Legislative Council.

Dr. Ratnappa Bharamappa Kumbhar was born on September 15, 1909 at Nimshirgaon village in Shirol, Maharashtra. He was born into a poor potter’s family. When he reached youth, he got interested in social service and politics. In association with social activists like Madhavrao Bagal and Dinakara Desai, he has protested against princely states for their bad rules. He and his associates got arrested by Kolhapur state rulers also. Later he actively participated in the freedom movement and later went underground for about 6 years because of his activism. He was then nicknamed as Deshbhakt Ratnappa Kumbhar, because of his patriotism towards mother nation.

After independence, he supported democracy and advocated for the abolition of princely states in India. He also got elected to Lok Sabha in 1952. He was one of the members which framed Constitution of India. In the 1960s he was most active in regional politics of Maharashtra. He represented Shirol assembly constituency for many years till his death, and was actively involved in the Co-operative Movement in Maharashtra, establishing co-operative organizations, consumer stores, banks etc.

Published: February 19, 2019

Updated: February 19, 2019