SUNDAY TIMES OF , 6 TIMES CITY FEBRUARY 22, 2015 State govt diverting State to give activists ‘special attention’ based on what legal criteria?” he Plans Regular Meets asked, admitting to administrative Between Cops, Babus difficulties. murder probe: CPI According to him, strengthening & Social Workers the process of investigation and ar- Vivek.Waghmode resting culprits in the Pansare and @timesgroup.com CPI CALLS FOR STATEWIDE Chittaranjan.Tembhekar Dabholkar cases and ensuring @timesgroup.com strong punishment was the only way : On the day rational- BANDH TODAY, NCP BACKS IT to deter such elements and prevent ist and CPI leader Govind Pan- Mumbai: ’s death such incidents in future. sare, who was shot by bike- he CPI has called for a bandh on Sunday to has come as a wake-up call for the Meanwhile, the Mumbai crime borne assailants, was cremated Tprotest against Govind Pansare’s killing, and it has received state government. Stung by criti- branch has instructed its officers to in his hometown Kolhapur, his support from the NCP. “When (Narendra) Dabholkar was cism even from its partner, the Shiv start inquiring about gun suppliers party alleged the state govern- muredered, the BJP had demanded the then state home Sena, about nothing changing from in the state with previous criminal ment was “diverting the investi- minister R R Patil’s resignation,” NCP leader Ajit Pawar said. the previous Congress-NCP regime, records to get clues into the murder. gation” into the attack on the ac- “Whose resignation should we demand now?” Chief minister the government plans to draw up a Govind Pansare’s family at his funeral in Kolhapur on Saturday “We have asked our units to tivist and his wife and appealed is also the state’s home minister. list of social activists who may have a probe in this direction. There are to the police to continue the threat to their lives and will give who were aggressively taking up so- tection was not always the solution. dozens of people who were caught for probe without state pressure. THE KILLING them special attention, if not 24x7 cial causes or agitations such as the “Even if the government shows it supplying or using firearms or tak- CPI national secretary Sha- ➤ (CPI) leader Govind protection. So far nothing has come anti-toll agitation Pansare was lead- cares for good social causes by hold- ing supari. Their records are being mim Faizi said, “The state gov- Pansare (82) and his wife Uma (72) were shot at out of the ongoing probe into Pan- ing in Kolhapur. ing meetings of guardian ministers scanned, and those who are on bail ernment is trying to cover for sare’s murder. “The idea behind identifying and and IAS officers with activists, it is may be summoned,” said a crime by two gunmen while they were on their right-wing forces that have at- The killers of Narendra Dabhol- listing social activists is that there enough to send a strong message,” branch officer. morning walk in Kolhapur on Feb 16 tacked Pansare. Statements is- kar too have not been found. There is can be monthly dialogues between the official added. Cops are also checking move- sued by the ruling party, saying ➤ He was hit by 3 bullets in the neck, chest a striking similarity in the modus op- heads of district or police adminis- However, director general of po- ments of some suspects on the day of initial investigations confirm erandi in the two cases, with the ac- tration and social workers at the lo- lice Sanjeev Dayal said identifying the attack, the officer said. The Kol- and leg, and his wife by 2. They were right-wing forces are not in- tivists being shot while they were on cal level to know about social initia- genuine social activists or deciding hapur police have registered a mur- treated at Kolhapur’s Aster volved and that the only similar- their morning walk by bike-borne tives or agitations and the hurdles or on a criteria for recognizing them or der case. The state anti-terrorism ity between the attacks on (ra- Aadhar hospital. He was flown assailants. threats they were facing. Strength- their work for such interactive ses- squad has also activated its sources tionalist) to Mumbai on Friday A senior government function- ening interaction will not only help sions or protection in itself was an to nab the perpetrators. ATS had and Pansare is that both took ➤ Pansare died around 11.30pm on Friday, February 20 ary said the state was contemplating coordinate matters but also keep a arduous task. “Whom should we call earlier worked on the Dabholkar place when they were out for drawing up a list of prominent social check on anti-socials,” said a senior a social worker? Who will take the re- case and handed over a suspect to morning walks, show the gov- Maharashtra will always This (attack) would activists at the level of every district official, pointing out that police pro- sponsibility of identifying them and police. ernment wants to shield attack- remember the work he not have happened if ers and divert the investiga- did for the poor and the Dabholkar’s killers had tion.” oppressed.. We will not tolerate been arrested CPI state secretary Bhal- chandra Kango said, “If the gov- such attacks Hamid Dabholkar | SON OF NARENDRA DABHOLKAR Mill worker mourns relentless campaigner ernment knows right-wing CM Devendra Fadnavis forces are not involved, it must dy who listened to him would feel Pansare reminds the former mill know who is. Why are police The Maharashtra Andhash- Chowk on Saturday to give a Recounts The Times happy. He always fought for the worker of an era of social move- saying they are clueless? This raddha Nirmoolan Samiti tearful last red salute to Pan- rights of the poor. We loved listening ments where people cared for the suggests the government does (MANS) criticized additional sare, 82, who passed away on Pansare Spoke to to him. He had a great way of speak- lives of others. not want to investigate the case, director general of police Friday night in Mumbai. Labourers in Kolhapur ing and of explaining things. He was “Today we have parties which on- but is only taking time to de- (ADG) (law and order) KL Bish- The chartered plane carry- a very good listener, too,” says Jyot- ly talk of the Marathi manoos but do stroy evidence.” noi for his statement that he ing Pansare’s body took off from Anahita [email protected] gonde. nothing for the people of Maharash- Earlier, speaking to report- found no similarity in the at- Mumbai at 11.40am on Satur- He recalls Pansare visiting his tra. They have done nothing to pro- ers at Kolhapur airport, state tack on Dabholkar and Pansare, day and reached Kolhapur at Mumbai: A few kilometres away school in the village and talking to tect mill workers,” says Jyotgonde. cooperative minister Chandra- except that both were morning 12.40pm. Pansare’s daughters from Breach Candy hospital where both teachers and students over how Pansare reminds him of other so- kant Patil said, “The initial po- walkers. Dabholkar’s son Ha- Megha and Smita and his Kolhapur activist Govind Pansare things were going with them. cialist leaders who rose from mass lice investigation has found that mid Dabholkar asked whether daughter-in-law, whose name is breathed his last, one of Mumbai’s Much like Pansare who battled movements, such as Mrinal Gore the attack on Pansare was not Bishnoi had studied history. “I also Megha, broke down on see- former mill workers mourned the the system and campaigned for the and Ahilya Rangnekar. “We don’t politically influenced and right- would like to inform him both ing the casket on the platform at death of a man he had once known in Jyotiba Jyotgonde is now in his 60s causes he believed in, Jyotgonde too have leaders like them any more,” he wing forces were not involved. were rationalists and strong op- Dasara Chowk. Around 3.30pm, his youth. was involved in social movements as rues. Police suspect he was attacked ponents of right-wing extre- a huge procession marked Pan- Now in his late 60s, Jyotiba Jyot- sare was invited as a speaker. “The a textile worker. He was a part of the “People across the region of Kol- by culprits who might have mism, and had been threatened sare’s final journey to the gonde, who once worked in Mum- meetings were on a variety of issues, textile workers’ movement in the hapur are in a state of shock over been annoyed with his protests many times,” he said. Panchganga crematorium. bai’s textile mills, grew up in a vil- like a problem on the field, or an is- 1980s, braved police lathi-charges in Pansare’s murder. He was a good as a labour leader. Right-wing Thousands of supporters, Pansare’s grandsons Mal- lage in . A farmer’s sue regarding sugar. We would love Lalbaug and was even jailed during man. We all thought so. My parents forces don’t have any connec- CPI workers and citizens gath- har and Prahlad lit the pyre. No son, he recalls attending meetings in to listen to Pansare speak. His protests. He was a part of the 1982 liked him very much, too,” says Jyot- tion to the attack.” ered at Kolhapur’s Dasara rituals were carried out. the neighbouring taluka where Pan- speeches were so good that everybo- textile workers’ strike in Mumbai. gonde. Setting a new

1st Death Anniversary In Loving Memory of benchmark in ASHISH CHAWLA MARKA DEATH IN MEMORIAM ANNOUNCEMENTS Your absence is felt charity work everyday [email protected] You continue to inspire us You will remain in our Mumbai: Voluntary organisations could hearts forever draw lessons from a leading philanthropist Fondly remembered by brother Anuj, who is known more for his works of charity Family, Relatives & Friends than the multi-crore business empire he built 50 years ago. Few Mumbaikars can claim igno- rance of Mahavirprasad Saraf whose family name is inscribed in stone on thousands of BIRTHDAY benches and water coolers across the city. PROF. R.K. JOSHI REMEMBRANCES The 81-year-old completes 55 years of char- ity work, this year, having set up his first trust in 1956. He began by building a temple to Lord SAD DEMISE Hanuman in the suburb of Malad where he was born and raised. Saraf drew inspiration from having watched his father Ghanshyam- das do small acts like feeding the poor. The pa- triarch passed away when Saraf was 18, but that was enough time to sow the seeds of a gi- Cherished Forever Treasured Forever ant tree of charity. The family deals in textile chemicals, and although business meets -Mangala, Apurva, Amrita. crests and troughs, charity projects remain steady because Saraf does not dip into a cor- pus of funds. ‘‘I run five trusts named after my parents DEATH ANNIVERSARY Ghanshyamdas and Durgadevi, my wife Ki- randevi and myself which have made sensible investments. So we reap the benefits of inter- est. It is this wealth that I use to do good work,’’ he says. Saraf hands a list of achievements MASS & SERVICES that include 19,961 benches, a dharamshala, 97

INKED ON STONE: Mahavirprasad Saraf

DEATH water coolers at railway platforms, public toi- lets, borewells, community halls as well as small items like pressure cookers and sewing machines. ‘‘The figures will be higher if you return next month,’’ he says proudly. He re- cently installed an OPD and an imaging centre at Nanavati Hospital. He inaugurates every project himself and steers clear of politicians. Saraf wishes the donations he has made to public organisations were maintained better. He says, ‘‘Water coolers installed at railway stations are in a pathetic state. Benches donat- OM SRI SAIRAM ed to government bodies are broken. The cul- 1st Death Anniversary ture of neglect has permeated deep in our in- SARASA SRINIVASAN stitutions.’’ When asked if he would like to take over the maintenance work himself, he [ 20-05-1937- 04-03-2014 ] shrugs and wonders if it is possible. The trusts make enormous donations in 1 YEAR HAS GONE kind, but avoid disbursing cash. ‘‘There are WITHOUT YOU people who go back disappointed after re- YOUR PRESENCE WE DEEPLY MISS questing money for medical treatment or fees YOUR BLESSINGS IN "MOTHER but we have devised a policy of no cash dona- TONGUE" ON MANY tions. One cannot monitor the use of funds giv- OCCASIONS RINGS IN OUR EARS en to individuals. Of course, there is a need for YOUR MEMORIES & LOVE WE proper facilities so we have set up schools, col- TREASURE. leges, hospitals and clinics,’’ Saraf says. Asked if his son’s thoughts on charity are Fondly remembered by: aligned with his, Saraf says, ‘‘Yes they are.” Husband: Srinivasan Sons & daughters-in-law: Krishnan-Rajeshwari, WEATHER Chandrasekar-Jayanti,Ganesh-Radhika Grandsons- Kartik, Kaushik, Colaba 37.2°/21.8° Ragunandan, Rishi Grand daughters- Aishwarya, Sruthi Santa Cruz 38.3°/ 18 .8° Relatives & Friends. Sunrise:Monday: 0702 hrs; Sunset:Sunday: 1841 hrs Forecast: Sky will be mainly clear. Uncomfortable hot day. Maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 38 degree Celsius and 22 degree Celsius respectively. Relative humidity: Colaba 38%, Santa Cruz 33%