RPI marks organisation anniversary at Siddharth Buddha Vihar in Tukum, Chandrapur

The Chandrapur district unit of the Republican Party of India (RPI) celebrated Republican Organisation Anniversary Day with enthusiasm on October 3, 2026. The programme was held at Siddharth Buddha Vihar near the ST Workshop in Tukum, Chandrapur.

Maharashtra state secretary Gopal Raipure presided. The programme began with garlanding of the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Raipure said everyone would have to work wholeheartedly to shake off the apathy that had set in among workers of the Republican Party and build a united organisational strength.

A former district president, who is also Nagpur state vice-president, explained the significance of the party's foundation day. RPI Maharashtra state secretary Ashokkumar Umre said that to build united organisational strength, it was essential to take along the Samata Sainik Dal, which has worked shoulder to shoulder with the party from the start.

RPI Chandrapur district vice-president Ajay Chavan said the party's ideas should be propagated continuously. He proposed holding meetings in every taluka so that party work goes on without a break. District vice-president Komal Ramteke stressed sweeping changes in the district executive to bring new energy to the district.

Umesh Gautam (UP, Gadchandur) said, "We are followers of Babasaheb. We liked the work of the RPI. We will keep cooperating at all times to take forward the Republican Party of India, Babasaheb's original organisation." He also suggested bringing in young people and putting them to work, and said he would work for the RPI as a party worker. Dinesh Gaikwad of Hardona Khurd said that while they were falling short in doing the RPI's work, their support would always be there.

Vihar committee secretary Satish Ramteke said Republican is an ideology. According to him, Dr Ambedkar had said that the people of this country would put the country and the idea of Republican in danger. He said the public should look after the RPI like a mother, that a monthly fund should be collected from members so that the party's work is done for others, that paid workers should be prepared, that reforms should be made within the party, that public misunderstandings should be removed, and that work should follow the constitution of the Republican Party.

Workers present also stressed that the party should hold programmes and meetings repeatedly, that memoranda should be submitted jointly with other Ambedkarite parties, that people of the vihar should be told about the party, and that other office-bearers of Ambedkarite thought should be approached to join.

A stall will be set up at Deekshabhoomi in Chandrapur on October 15 and 16, 2026. Expenses on the pandal, lights, banners, flowers and garlands are expected to exceed an estimated Rs 10,000. An appeal was made for Rs 500 from each person or Rs 2,500 from each taluka. Discussion also covered distributing leaflets on the party's aims, objectives and policies at Deekshabhoomi, maintaining political contacts, submitting memoranda on problems and following them up, and preparing publicity material. A view was also put forward that the party should take up social problems.

Those who worked to make the programme a success included Gurudas Ramteke (treasurer, Chandrapur district), Waghmare (vice-president, Vihar committee), Marotrao Raipure (Vihar president), Satish Ramteke (Vihar secretary), Waghmare (Vihar secretary), Janardhan Waghmare, Dinesh Gaikwad, Umesh Gautam, S. B. Raipure, Purnima Ashokkumar, Dayal Walke Guruji, B. S. Waghmare, Devidas Durge and others. District general secretary Prof. Ravindranath Patil conducted the programme and delivered the introduction, and Purnima Ashokkumar proposed the vote of thanks.