Nath Bapu Pai (1922–1971) was a distinguished Indian freedom fighter, barrister, and three-time Member of Parliament from Rajapur, Maharashtra. A prominent leader of the Praja Socialist Party, he was renowned for his eloquence, legal acumen, and relentless advocacy for the development of the Konkan region.

His untiring efforts saw the government conduct a survey of the ambitious Konkan Railway line which was subsequently completed in 1990 connecting the Konkan region with Mumbai.

An advocate of people’s rights in a democracy, he championed the integration of the Marathi-speaking villages of Karnataka, with Maharashtra and was a leading voice of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti.

A leading voice of Socialism in India and Maharashtra, Barrister Nath Pai continues to live on in the hearts of the people of Konkan and in the minds of a generation that grew up in Maharashtra between the sixties and seventies.

His work inspires young Parliamentarians even today with his highly acclaimed speeches, debates and constitutional amendment bills.

1922 – Birth in Vengurla, Maharashtra
Born on September 25, 1922, in Vengurla, Nath Pai was the youngest of eight siblings and was raised by his mother, Tapibai and his aunt after the early death of his father. She instilled in him values of honesty and diligence.

The Freedom Movement
In 1943, he took the plunge into the freedom movement in Belgaum and joined members of the Yalgi family to start an underground movement that would blow up postal consignments and attack the homes of British officers. Gajanan Yalgi and Nath had a new codename—Gorakhnath!

In 1944, Nath and 10 young men blew up a police chowkie in Tilakwadi, Belgaum and were arrested, brutally beaten and jailed in Hindalga Prison. A sympathetic judge acquitted the young freedom fighters who were on death penalty.

1947 –A New Dawn
After India won independence, Nath left for England where he earned a law degree from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn and worked in the chambers of leading lawyers and legislators in London.

1952 – First Political Attempt
He contested the 1952 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections from Belgaum but was unsuccessful

1954 – International Recognition
Nath was elected as the first non-European president of the International Union of Socialist Youth and travelled to several socialist countries across Europe.

1955 – Goa Liberation Movement
Nath used every opportunity to draw international attention and support to the oppression faced by the people of Goa under Portuguese rule. On August 15, 1955, he entered Goa and hoisted the Indian tricolour, escaping arrest and bullets by the Portuguese police. With him were Vitthal Yalgi and his sisters.

1957 – Elected to Lok Sabha
Nath Pai was elected as a Member of Parliament from Rajapur in the 1957 general elections and was re-elected in 1962 and 1967

1961 – Advocacy for Konkan Railway
Nath Pai spearheaded the Konkan Railway movement, highlighting the region’s need for a rail link to Mumbai. His persistent efforts led to a government survey for the railway line

1963 – Defence Policy Critique
In Parliament, he was a leading voice of the Opposition parties as he criticized India’s defence policies, particularly after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, advocating for greater transparency and strategic planning. He led demands for the rights of government employees and the marginalized sections of society.

1966 – Samyukta Maharashtra
A leading voice of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, Nath advocated the integration of Belgaum, Nippani and 364 border villages in Maharashtra on linguistic lines. He was successful in convincing Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to constitute a one-member commission, the Mahajan Commission, to study this demand and resolve the fast-unto-death led by Senapati Bapat.

1969 – Support for Konkan Development
He continued to champion the Konkan region’s development, promoting initiatives in agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure. His relentless efforts saw the government order a survey of the ambitious Konkan Railway line, making him the architect of the Konkan Railway.

1970 – Cultural Engagement
Despite declining health, Nath Pai participated in the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Mahabaleshwar, supporting Marathi literature and arts and was a great admirer of Marathi art, literature and the folk art form, Dashavatar.

1971—last days
Hours after he addressed a mega gathering at Belgaum’s Union Gymkhana, Nath breathed his last, ending a three-term sparkling tenure in Parliament. He was succeeded by Professor Madhu Dandavate.