J.B. Kriplani, popularly known as Acharya Kriplani, was born at Hyderabad, Sind, on 11th November, 1888. His academic career was marked by unrest due to his frequent involvement with nationalistic ideas. Having obtained an M.A. in History and Economics he began teaching in 1912 and continued in different places till 1927. In 1917 he first came into cntact with Gandhiji during the Champaran Satyagraha which turned him into a fully dedicated nationalist. From 1927 onwards he was engrossed in Ashram work in Gujarat and in the political movements of the Indian National Congress.

During his days at Gujarat Vidyapeeth he came to be known as "Acharya", a name that stayed with him during his lifetime. He served as a General Secretary of the Indian National Congress from 1934 to 1946 and was arrested several times for his part in the National Movements. He was elected Membaer of the Consituent Assembly of India from 1946 to 1951. He resigned from the Congress in 1951.

He resigned from Praja Socialist Party also in 1954 and remained an Independent for the rest of his Parliamentary life. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, 1963 and 1967. The Acharya passed away on 19th March, 1982.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India