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Journalism of Courage
NASHIK, OCT 19: The State Government’s Excise Department has sought the vote of women residents of the CIDCO colony area in the city on the existence of the Shivam Bar, belonging to a Shiv Sena corporator Baliram alias Mama Thakre, following complaints from local women, led by BJP corporator Dr Aruna More.
The license of the bar is in the name of Thakre’s wife, Snehalata. Soon after the bar was opened, local women, under the leadership of Dr More, formed a Mahila Kruti Samiti’ (Women’s Action Committee) to spearhead a campaign against it.
They complained to the authorities about the nuisance caused by the numerous alchoholics of the bar, especially at dusk to local women. They had also complained that the bar was close to a temple and demanded its closure.
In response, the authorities had also taken action. In August 1998, the licence of the bar was suspended by the collector. However, the bar was reopened in September 1999, following appeals, filed by Snehalata Thakre.
Interestingly, Dr More’s agitation has caused fissures between local Sena-BJP leaders. While BJP leaders have backed Dr More’s agitation, Sena leaders have taken the stand that closure of Thakre’s bar should be followed by the winding up of all the other six bars in the locality.
Incidentally, Mama Thakre is a close associate of former Sena minister Babanrao Gholap. About five years ago, Gholap had inaugurated Thakre’s another bar, Hotel Shiva, despite being the prohibition minister of the erstwhile Sena-BJP government. Gholap was stripped of his portfolio following an uproar over the issue.
