Studies were carried out to remove basic dyes such as safranine T, methylene blue, crystal violet, light green, brilliant milling violet and patent blue VS from their aqueous solutions using biodegradable polymeric absorbent material, viz., Jalshakti (R) (JS). Results showed that 93% safranine T, 98% methylene blue and 84% crystal violet were adsorbed on JS relative to their initial concentration (10 mg L-1). The optimum pH was found to be 6.0 +/- 0.5 and smaller size of particle of JS resulted better adsorptive removal of the dyes. IR spectroscopic and potassium ion release studies revealed that basic dyes were selectively removed through adsorption-ion-exchange mechanism involving carboxylic groups and K+ ions of JS. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.