Navi Mumbai +91 9819054321 contact@dalitpanthers.in

About Us

  1. Home
  2. Pages
  3. About

"Our fight is not against people — it’s against injustice."

Image

Dalit Panthers

Namdeo Dhasal

A poet and Founder

Dhasal (1949–2014) rose from Mumbai slums to become a fearless voice exposing caste and urban poverty in works like Golpitha and Andhale Shatak. He fused Ambedkarite thought with Marxism and Buddhism, actively shaping the Panthers’ manifesto. His literary activism resonated beyond Maharashtra, earning honors like the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi awards.

He fused Ambedkarite thought with Marxism and Buddhism, actively shaping the Panthers’ manifesto. His literary activism resonated beyond Maharashtra, earning honors like the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi awards.

Learn More

Dalit Panthers

Swapnil Dhasal

Current President

Dr. Swapnil Dhasal is a dynamic social activist and the national president of the Dalit Panther, continuing the powerful legacy of his uncle, the renowned poet and activist Namdeo Dhasal. Rooted deeply in the Ambedkarite tradition, Swapnil is committed to advancing social justice through cultural and artistic engagement. As the convener of the Samashti Art & Literature Festival, he has created a vital platform that uplifts marginalized voices in literature, music, theater, and visual arts, fostering inclusivity and representation. Under his leadership, the Dalit Panther remains a critical force against caste oppression and discrimination, bridging the historic struggle with contemporary movements. Swapnil’s work not only honors the heritage of the Dalit Panthers but also energizes new generations to use creativity as a tool for resistance and social transformation.

His unwavering Ambedkarite commitment grounded the group’s political identity.

Learn More
Image
Image

Dalit Panthers

Arun Kamble

An early member and poet

Arun Krushnaji Kamble carried Panthers’ ideals forward after its split. Known for organizing Dalit-Buddhist literary circles and fueling the Namantar movement, he bridged activism with intellectual outreach across Maharashtra.

He was a president of 3rd All India Conference on Dr. Ambedkar's Literature at Wardha and also a president at the World Conference on Buddha, Phule, and Ambedkar Literature at Kalyan ( 23–25 March 2002).

Learn More

Dalit Panthers

J. V. Pawar

As co founder and general secretary

J. V. Pawar (b. 1943) guided the movement ideologically and administratively. A novelist and poet known for Balidaan and Nakebandi (Blockade), he documented the Panthers’ journey in Dalit Panthers: An Authoritative History.

His unwavering Ambedkarite commitment grounded the group’s political identity.

Learn More
Image

Protests Led

158

+

Core Leaders

49

+

Cities Reached

17

+

Supporters Mobilized

600

+

Our Core Members

Meet the leading voices behind the Panthers

Image
Namdeo Dhasal

Founder & Poet

Image
J.V. Pawar

Co-founder & Activist

Image
Raja Dhale

Co-founder & Orator

Image
Arjun Dangle

Writer & Organizer

Image
Avinash Mahatekar

Speaker & Activist

Dalit Panthers

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

Address

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

+91 9920012345

+91 9819054321

contact@dalitpanthers.in

Quick Links

Home About Us Privacy Policy Events Members Contact Us

Panthers Who Roared

The Dalit Panthers was a collective of fearless Dalit intellectuals, youth, artists, and activists formed in 1972 in Mumbai. While no official list of all members exists, its founders included Namdeo Dhasal, J.V. Pawar, Arun Kamble, and Raja Dhale.

Dalit Panthers, All right reserved.
Designed By FiveM Infotech