History & Objectives

Dr. Karunyakara Lella after completing his Ph.D., from JNU, New Delhi joined School of Ambedkar Studies, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University-BBAU (A Central University), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh as an Assistant Professor in 1997 and became Associate Professor in 2005. He designed syllabi for courses like ‘Dalit History’ for M.A. History programme. He was Head, Department of History till 2007. He was a member, Academic Council and also a member, Board of Management of the University. He worked tirelessly to restore 50% reservation for SC/ST students in BBAU admissions, when it was challenged in the High Court, Lucknow bench and also he defended it on all forums and bodies.
Dr. Karunyakara founded Ambedkar University Dalit Students Union (AUDSU) on 6 December 2000 to facilitate Dalit and Adivasi students’ activities for protection of their rights in the University. On 6 December 2006, he founded Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University SC/ST Teachers’ Association (BBACUSCTTA) for the protection of rights of Dalit and Adivasi teachers of the University. He wrote the Constitutions of AUDSU and BBACUSCTTA.
In 2007 Dr. Karunyakara Lella joned Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya-MGAHV,(A Central University), Wardha (near Nagpur) Maharashtra as a Director/Professor, Babasaheb Ambedkar Dalit and Tribal Studies Centre in 2007. (Now Sidho-Kanho Murmu name is added to the Centre). In MGAHV, at present he is holding for third time post of Dean, School of Culture.
On 6th December 2009, at Wardha, Prof. Karunyakara founded ‘Pavitra Dalit Parivar (PDP), a cultural organization with the aim to create cultural leaders in the Dalit society. In 2010 he founded ‘Manyawar Kashiram Institute of Engaged Ambedkarism’ as an initiative of PDP. Though the institute couldn’t be taken into proper shape, it organized first national conference of PDP on 14&15 October 2010 at Nagpur on the occasion of Vijayadasami, the day marked by Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism. The second national conference of PDP was organized at Lucknow on 2nd &3rd June 2012.
On 26 July 2017 Prof. Karunyakara founded Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya Backward Class (SC/ST/OBC) Teachers Association (MGAHV-BCTA) for the welfare of SC/ST&OBC teachers of the University. He wrote the Constitution of MGAHVBCTA. He chose 26 July in fond memory of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj who for the first time in the history of India introduced 50% reservation for Backward Class on 26th July 1902 in the state of Kolhapur.
Prof. Karunyakara launched Dalit Knowledge YouTube channel in 2020 to disseminate Dalit knowledge worldwide.
On 21 February 2022, Prof. Karunyakara founded ‘Ambedkar Study Circle’ (ASC) in MGAHV, Wardha University to organize Ambedkar Book Reading Sessions every week with aim to study and discuss Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches. He chose 21 February because Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar completed the Draft Constitution of India on 21st February 1948. He is Founder Chairperson of ASC. Students and academics of the University are benefitted by his weekly public lectures on Ambedkar writings in the University premises at Ambedkar statue. On 6th December 2022, he founded a group of ‘Ambedkarites For Dalit Unity’ to bring unity within Dalit race/community. Dalit race is divided by religion and castes. ‘Love your Dalit’ is the core thought to bring fraternity among Dalits. AFDU (Ambedkarites For Dalit Unity) is an informal group of young Ambedkarites mostly his students working against caste and religion based hatred within the Dalit society.
Prof. Karunyakara wrote many research papers and books. His recent book ‘History of Dalit Identity’ (2021) constructs positive Dalit identity narrative. At present he is working on a path breaking social theory ‘Pure Dalit Theory’. He is also working on ‘Cultural Ambedkar’ to study Ambedkar from cultural perspective. His book ‘Dalit History’ will be coming soon.
At present Prof. Karunyakara perhaps senior most Dalit Professor in India with 15 years of experience as a Professor of the Central University. During his 25 years of academic service, he guided many research scholars who have been awarded Doctorate degrees.