V. M. Tarkunde, Jurist and Activist
Jurist and Activist

V. M. Tarkunde

Born 3 July 1909 · Maharashtra — Died 22 March 2004

Serving as a Bombay High Court judge and pioneering India's civil liberties movement.

Vithal Mahadeo Tarkunde was a prominent Indian lawyer, civil rights activist, and humanist leader and has been referred to as the "Father of the Civil Liberties movement" in India and a former judge of the Bombay High Court The Supreme Court of India also praised him as "undoubtedly the most distinguished judge of the post-Chagla 1957 period" in the Bombay High Court.

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A detail that
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V. M. Tarkunde was called the 'Father of the Civil Liberties movement' in India and was praised by the Supreme Court as 'undoubtedly the most distinguished judge' of his era in Bombay High Court.

The Story

1
In 1933, V. M. Tarkunde began legal practice in Pune but abruptly quit in 1942 to join the Radical Democratic Party, signaling his deep commitment to political activism during World War II.
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🌍 Having studied at Lincoln's Inn and attending LSE lectures as an external student in 1931, Tarkunde returned to India with a rare blend of legal and social anthropology knowledge shaping his later judicial views.
3In September 1957, Tarkunde was elevated to the Bombay High Court bench, where the Supreme Court later described him as the most distinguished judge of the post-Chagla period.
4✊ In 1974, alongside Jayaprakash Narayan, Tarkunde co-founded Citizens for Democracy and, in 1976, the People's Union for Civil Liberties, two NGOs that became pillars in defending civil rights during India's Emergency.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1925, Tarkunde topped the Bombay Presidency matriculation exams and won the Jagannath Shankersheth Scholarship for Sanskrit, highlighting his early academic excellence.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Saswad, Maharashtra
Born to Mahadeo Rajaram Tarkunde, a lawyer and social reformer who opposed untouchability.
1909
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Education
Top Bombay Presidency Matriculation
Stood first in Bombay Presidency and won the prestigious Jagannath Shankersheth Scholarship for Sanskrit.
1925
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Education
Qualified as Barrister at Lincoln's Inn
Completed legal studies in London and attended LSE lectures in economics and anthropology.
1931
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Career
Quit law practice for Radical Democratic Party
Became full-time member and later General Secretary (1944) of RDP led by M. N. Roy.
1942
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Career
Appointed Judge, Bombay High Court
Elevated to bench, later recognized as distinguished judge by Supreme Court.
1957
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Career
Co-founded Citizens for Democracy
Joined Jayaprakash Narayan to establish NGO defending civil liberties during political turmoil.
1974
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Career
Founded People's Union for Civil Liberties
Helped create PUCL to uphold constitutional rights during the Emergency era.
1976
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Death
Death of V. M. Tarkunde
Passed away leaving a legacy of human rights activism and judicial integrity.
2004
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He voluntarily stepped down from his Bombay High Court judgeship in 1969 to return to active legal practice, an unusual move for a sitting judge at the time.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Tarkunde gave up his legal practice in 1942 to become General Secretary of the Radical Democratic Party, aligning with M. N. Roy’s vision during the tumultuous World War II years.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite his judicial stature, Tarkunde conducted most public interest and constitutional cases with little or no fees, emphasizing his commitment to justice over personal gain.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
First Day of Independence—15 Aug 1947 | Jurist V. M. Tarkunde | #youtubevideo #democracy #freedom

🌱 What changed because of them

Tarkunde's activism and judicial career deeply influenced India's civil liberties discourse, especially during the Emergency period (1975–77) when he helped establish key human rights groups like the People's Union for Civil Liberties. His advocacy shaped legal strategies defending constitutional rights and inspired generations of activists and lawyers to challenge state overreach. Institutions like PUCL remain active testaments to his legacy in safeguarding democratic freedoms.

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💭 Memories & Tributes

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