Mansingh Pawaar, one of the organizers of Sakalm Maratha Samaj Diwali, recalls the significance of organising such events for a few friends.
The string of Maratha silent protest marches across the state, while a reflection of the farming crisis in Maharashtra, are in fact an expression of the marginalisation of the community's lower and middle rungs.
Almost ten years ago, during Diwali in 2005-06, members of the Maratha community gathered in Aurangabad to further the cause of the community in a first-of-its-kind initiative that has since gathered steam. A decade later, the Maratha kranti (silent) marches have given community members another platform to clamour for rights, and justice.
Mansingh Pawaar, one of the organizers of Sakalm Maratha Samaj Diwali, recalls the significance of organising such events for a few friends.
Pawaar, the son of former MP Balasaheb Pawaar, has headed the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Pawaar said he and a few friends played a pivotal role in organizing a Diwali get-together for Maratha families in a bid to foster harmony and unity.
Pawaar said though they expected 7,000-8,000 people to attend the Diwali gatherings, about 25,000 people would show up. "The gathering was devoid of speeches. Spiritual guru Bhayyu Maharaj would bless the event, followed by a cultural programme, he said". The programme was held on Devgiri College ground.
Pawaar said he organised a lecture series for the Maratha community the next year. He said experts like Dr Vijay Bhatkar, journalist Nilu Damle, social worker Sindhutai Sapkal and software professional Ashok Sawant addressed community members. "At least two lakh people attended the two-day lecture series. It was a resounding success," he said.
After the rape and murder of the 14-year-old girl in Kopardi village, Pawaar said local Maratha leaders approached him, urging for a protest march.
"During the meeting, I suggested that the protest march should not target a particular community. I was also against shouting slogans," he said. During the Diwali gathering, invitations were extended to women as well. This is also the reason why women have been at the forefront of the silent protests held across the city. Pawaar said he was not sure how many people would turn up for the protest at Kranti Chowk in Aurangabad on August 9. However, women turned up in large numbers.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "morchas")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}