Ratnappa Kumbhar

Dr. Ratnappa Bharamappa Kumbhar (15 September 1909 – 23 December 1998), also called Deshbhakt Ratnappa Kumbhar, was an Indian independence activists from Ichalkaranji, who actively participated in the Indian independence movement. He was one of the persons to sign the Final Draft of the Constitution of India along with B. R. Ambedkar. He received Padma Shri award in 1985 (social work). He was Member of the Parliament, Member of Legislative Council and also worked as a Minister of Food and Civil Supplies in Maharashtra Government.

Dr. Ratnappa Kumbhar was born into a potter family at Nimshirgaon village in Shirol tehsil.

Indian independence movement

During his youth he was keenly interested in political and social work and mobilized support under the Prajaparishad banner against the local princely state rulers with Madhavrao Bagal and other associates like Dinakara Desai He and Desai were arrested on 8 July 1939. Kumbhar, Bagal, Desai and others were arrested and fined by Kolhapur State He actively participated in the freedom movement and later went underground for about 6 years. He was on the forefront of an agitation for dissolution of princely states. For his long devotion to the independence movement, he was called Deshbhakt ("Patriot") Ratnappa Kumbhar.

Political career

After Independence, he became a member of the committee that framed Indian Constitution. He was lelected as an MP in 1952. He was responsible for founding of a sugar mill in Ichalkaranji.

Between 1962 and 1982 and from 1990 till his death.He represented Shirol assembly constituency as an MLA. From 1974 until 1978 he was Minister of State for home and civil supplies. He was instrumental in bringing about the industrial and agricultural prosperity of Shirol and Hatkanangle tehsil of Kolhapur.

Co-operative Movement

Ratnappa Kumbhar, undertook various Co-operative Movements and also ran them successfully, including :

1. Panchaganga Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. Ganganagar Ichalkaranji.
2. Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd.
3. The Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Shetakari Vinkari Soot Girani Ltd
4. The Janata Central co-operative consumer stores Ltd.

Ratnappa Kumbhar died in the morning of 23 December 1998, at the age of 89. The Deshbhakt Ratnappa Kumbhar College of Commerce college in Kolhapur is named after him.