Despite threats,they stand tall and deliver

Anti-superstition activist

Associated with the genesis of social movement against superstitions in Maharashtra since early 80s,rationalist Shyam Manav says he has received so many life threats that he has lost count.

“Activists like me,who have been associated with rationalist movement are never afraid to die. A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live and this forms the very foundation of fearlessness,” he said.

Manav accused the government for failing to nab the anti-social elements hindering rationalist movement which he said resulted in Dabhokar’s death.

“I had faced a gruesome attack during pubic lecture at Balgandharva auditorium in Pune in 2006. Even if entire assault was recorded in camera and an FIR was lodged with the police,nothing substantial happened,” he said.

Dr Shrikar Pardeshi

Municipal Commissioner,PCMC

The deep conviction that whatever I am doing is right in the light of the law of the land helps me defy any fear arising out of life threats,says Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Dr Shrikar Pardeshi,who has received seven life threats so far.

Pardeshi,who has earned the sobriquet “demolition man” for his massive demolition drive against unauthorised constructions in industrial town,has drawn the ire of powerful forces involved in unauthorised constructions.

The municipal commissioner said he takes life threats in his stride. “There would be an anarchy if I deviate from my duties. The basic amenities would go for a toss if I allow unauthorized buildings. I don’t have an iota of doubt over the work I am carrying out. With this attitudinal set up,I muster courage to defy any life threat,” he said.

Pardeshi described Dabholkar’s murder as unfortunate and disturbing but said the incident won’t affect the morale of those walking on the path of principles. Pardeshi,who has already been given armed protection in the wake of life threats,said he has been taking some precautionary steps. “I don’t go for morning walk alone. I also avoid crowded places without security. I ensure my family gets adequate safety. All these measures are must and one can not ignore life threats,” he said.

Nandu Madhav

Actor,director and producer

For Nandu Madhav,who has directed and produced Marathi play “Shivaji Underground In Bhimnagar Mohalla”,holding the shows amidst opposition from right-wing organisations is commonplace.

“While the first show of our play was held in May 2012,the oppositon to our drama began all of a sudden after 200 shows. We have not succumbed to pressure from any group. The shows will go on as our drama has been cleared by the censor board,” he said.

Right-wing organisation tried to stall the staging of the drama that stresses that Chhatrapati Shivaji was saviour of society and his work was not confined to some Hindu castes.

“The extremists often distribute pamphlets,try to create ruckus and create panic among audience,” he said. As a homage to Dabholkar,Madhav said the anti-superstition activists had arranged special show of the drama in Satara.

Suhas Palshikar

Political analyst and professor at University of Pune

Suhas Palshikar,whose office in University of Pune campus was vandalised by a small group from rookie organisation in May 2012 over the inclusion of controversial caricature of B R. Ambedkar in an NCERT Class XI textbook,said his students and colleagues were his source of strength.

“It is not easy to experience incidents of threat,intimidation,attack or violence. Such things certainly adversely affect routine and also upset one’s focus. Personally,I found it tough to go back to routine and resume work,” he said.

Palshikar,who had put in his papers as an NCERT adviser after the attack,regretted that incidents of threat,intimidation,attack or violence continue to happen.

Vijay Kumbhar

RTI activist

Vijay Kumbhar was instrumental in legal battle against highly influential builder and son-in-law of former chief minister Manohar Joshi. It resulted in handing over of 10-storey Sundew Apartment to Pune Municipal Corporation for public use as per the reservation of the plot in the development plan. But since then he has been receiving life-threats for different social causes he taken up.

“I have managed to take the threats in my stride. I have been doing my work without bothering about its fallout as public interest is my sole concern,” said Kumbhar. After Supreme Court verdict came in Sundew Apartment case in November 2011,Kumbhar received life threat following which police security was provided to him. Few months later,the activist refused the security. “I have got threats for raising corruption issues in education board of Pune Municipal Corporation in the recent past. I did not bother about it,” said Kumbhar.