Ramdayal Munda, Rajya Sabha member, died of cancer on Friday at the Apollo Hospital here.
He was 72.
According to hospital sources he passed away at 5:30 p.m. He is survived by his wife and a son.
Born in 1939 at Diuri village, Mr. Munda completed his education from Ranchi University in 1957. He was also a Padma Shri recipient. Mr. Munda took his Ph.D from the University of Chicago.
He wrote a number of books on tribals issues. His political life started when he joined Jharkhand Vikas Dal as president.
He later joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and moved to the Congress and became a member of its Working Committee.