Professor Jogendra Laxmanrao Kawade (born 1 April 1943, Nagpur)is the founder and President of Peoples Republican Party. He was a former MP from Chimur (Lok Sabha constituency) of Maharashtra in 12th Lok Sabha during 1998-99.[1]
He founded the social organisation named Dalit Mukti Sena (Dalit Liberation Army) which was aimed at to unite scattered dalit people who were frustrated by frequent split-up of Republican Party of India due to personal benefits of the then leaders. His DLA was readily popularized amongst the Dalits especially the youth were looking towards DLA as aspiration. People readily recognized DLA and whole heartedly supported SIR(as they call Prof. Jogendra Kawade)as he was politically unpolarized and people were fond of his oratory and thought provoking fearless speeches. He was really a fearless one and he influenced many to live without fear. He was termed as a LION by youths. But as it was a pattern, he was forced to merge the party into a unified Republican Party of India.
In 1979, the state Assembly of Maharashtra passed a resolution to rename Marathwada University in the name of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. After Chief Minister Shri Sharad Pawar announced the resolution, some dissenting parties registered their protest by harassing Dalits in Marathwada and nearby areas. Professor Jogendra Kawade gave a call for historical long march under the banner of NAMANTARWAADI KRUTI SAMITI towards affected Aurangabad, Maharashtra so as to make their brethren fearless.