Kapil Harishchandra Patil
Kapil Harishchandra Patil | |
|---|---|
| Ex Member of Maharashtra Legislative Council | |
| In office (2006-2012), (2012-2018), (2018 – 2024) | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Constituency | Mumbai Teachers constituency |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Janata Dal (United) (JDU) |
Kapil Harishchandra Patil (better known as Kapil Patil) is an Indian socialist politician, educationist, trade union leader, and former journalist. He represented the Mumbai Teachers constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council for three consecutive terms (2006–2024).[1][2][3]
Early Activism and Student Movement
Kapil Patil began his public life as a student activist. He was the Founder Secretary of Chhatra Bharati, a student movement, and worked closely with editor Yadunath Thatte of Sadhana (weekly) and writer Dr. M. B. Shah, the founder president of Chhatra Bharati. He later served as Secretary of the Namantarwadi Action Committee and actively participated in the movement for the renaming of Marathwada University.[4][5][6]
Patil is the founder and former President of Shikshak Bharati, Maharashtra’s largest government-recognized teachers’ organization.[7]
In 2009, Kapil Patil rejected a flat allotted under the MHADA legislators’ quota in Versova, Mumbai, and wrote to Chief Minister Ashok Chavan stating that elected representatives should not receive subsidized housing.[8] In 2016, he urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to scrap or reduce such quotas. He argued that MHADA housing should prioritize economically weaker sections.[9]
On 8 March 2010 (International Women’s Day), he played a key role in securing six months of fully paid maternity leave for women teachers, later extended to all women government employees in Maharashtra.[10][11]
He led a sea march in Mumbai to secure compensation for fishermen affected by drought-like conditions and cyclones, resulting in a ₹34-crore relief package
Patil played a role in the enactment of the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act, 2013, alongside Justice Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari and Dr. Narendra Dabholkar.[12]
OBC and Mandal Commission Movement
During the 1980s, while OBC leader Janardan Patil was leading struggles for social justice, Kapil Patil was actively involved as a student and organizer. Along with Shabbir Ansari, he travelled extensively across Maharashtra, working among OBC caste and community organizations.[13][14]
He co-authored and published two books with Janardan Patil titled “Mandal Commission: The OBC Manifesto”, considered among the earliest publications in Maharashtra focusing on Mandal Commission and OBC issues. He also organized statewide meetings and conferences advocating for the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations and reservation policies.[15][16]
In 1984, he played a key role in the formation of Muslim OBC organizations, working alongside Shabbir Ansari and with encouragement from actor Dilip Kumar to promote awareness and organization among Muslim OBC communities.[17]
He opposed the Maharashtra University bill allowing private universities in Maharashtra Legislative Council until provisions for SC, ST, and OBC reservations were included.[18][19]
Journalism and Publications
Kapil Patil worked as a journalist and editor with newspapers such as Aapla Mahanagar, Sakal, Lokmat and Editor of Aaj Dinank, Sanj Dinank & Lokmudra. His published and edited works include:[20]
- Ragdarbari – a collection of political essays
- Ayudh – a collection of select speeches delivered in the Maharashtra Legislative Council[21]
- Editor, Desh-Mukhi – a compilation of notable speeches by former Chief Minister and Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh
Political career
Kapil Patil founded the political party Lok Bharati, which merged with the Janata Dal (United) in 2017. He was appointed National General Secretary of Janata Dal (United) in 2022[7] and was assigned charge of the party’s affairs in Gujarat and Goa.[22]
Patil was featured in I.N.D.I.A alliance meetings and linked in media to promotion of Nitish Kumar as a national leader.[23] He has a reputation as JD(U)’s “Maharashtra face” and has been seen with Nitish Kumar at national meetings.[24][25]
Kapil Patil was elected three times from the Mumbai Teachers constituency, remaining the only socialist representative in the Maharashtra Legislative Council for 18 consecutive years.[26][27]
Awards & recognition
- Recipient of the Best Speech Award in the Maharashtra Legislative Council for 2007–08, presented by former President Pratibha Patil, and again for 2016–17, presented by the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra.[28]
References
- ^ "Record voting for four Council seats". The Hindu. 25 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "MLC polls: Sena keeps Mumbai graduates seat, BJP wrests Konkan graduates from NCP". India Today. 29 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "पत्रकार ते आमदार, कशी आहे कपिल पाटील यांची राजकीय वाटचाल?; वाचा सविस्तर!". TV9 Marathi. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "मुंबई : छात्र भारतीच्या कार्यक्रमाला परवानगी नाही, कपिल पाटील यांची सरकारवर टीका". ABP Majha (in Marathi). 4 January 2018.
- ^ "कपिल पाटील विधानपरिषदेत १८ वर्षं आमदार होते, पण ते 'प्रस्थापित आमदारां'सारखे कधीच वागले नाहीत…". www.aksharnama.com.
- ^ "MLC Kapil Patil returns Mhada flat at Versova". The Times of India. 27 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Maharashtra MLC Kapil Patil appointed national general secretary of JD(U)". 18 October 2022. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "MLC Kapil Patil returns Mhada flat at Versova". The Times of India. 27 May 2009.
- ^ "Patil to CM Fadnavis: Scrap quota for MLAs/MPs in MHADA houses". The Indian Express. 26 June 2016.
- ^ "Private schools staff to get 6-month maternity leave". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2010.
- ^ "Maharashtra permits five-days working week for schools". Business Standard.
- ^ "Maharashtra Assembly passes anti-black magic Bill". The Indian Express. 13 December 2013.
- ^ "The Inspirational Journey of Shabbir Ahmad Ansari Unveiled in 'Mandal Nama'". Easterncrescent.net. 7 July 2024.
- ^ "कपिल पाटलांमुळं माझा जीव वाचला; भुजबळांनी सांगितला 'तो' कठीण प्रसंग". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi).
- ^ "CM should call all party meet to discuss Maratha reservation: Kapil Patil". The Indian Express. 5 September 2023.
- ^ "६९ टक्क्यांपर्यंत आरक्षण शक्य, फक्त राजकीय इच्छाशक्ती हवी; कपिल पाटलांचं एकनाथ शिंदेंना पत्र". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi).
- ^ Patil, Kapil (11 December 2018). "Birthday special: When Dilip Kumar's voice averted a war with Pakistan". National Herald.
- ^ ""Financially Weak Students Will Be Deprived of Education Due to the Private University Bill," Says MLA Kapil Patil - www.lokmattimes.com". Lokmat Times. 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Students want review of clause for scholarship in private varsities bill". The Times of India. 17 January 2024.
- ^ "पत्रकार ते आमदार, कशी आहे कपिल पाटील यांची राजकीय वाटचाल?; वाचा सविस्तर!". TV9 Marathi (in Marathi). 23 August 2021.
- ^ "कपिल पाटील यांच्या 'आयुध'चे प्रकाशन". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi).
- ^ "JD(U) announces new state in-charges". The Times of India. 24 August 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "कपिल पाटिल या निशांत कुमार? नीतीश कुमार के प्लान 'New JDU' का खाका बड़ा शानदार खिंच रहा". Navbharat Times (in Hindi).
- ^ "Nitish to enter state's political arena". The Hindu. 20 April 2017.
- ^ Sutar, Kamlesh Damodar (28 July 2017). "JD-U MLA from Maharashtra Kapil Patil miffed with Nitish's forming govt in Bihar with BJP support". India Today.
- ^ "कौन हैं कपिल पाटिल जिन्होंने नीतीश को पीएम कैंडिडेट घोषित कर दिया?". Navbharat Times (in Hindi).
- ^ "कपिल पाटील यांच्या संघर्षाची पंधरा वर्षे · इये मराठीचिये नगरी". इये मराठीचिये नगरी. 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Vote For LMOTY Awards 2019 | Lokmat Maharashtrian of The Year Awards 2019 | लोकमत महाराष्ट्रीयन ऑफ द इयर २०१९okmat.com". lmoty.lokmat.com.