Who Was Veera Sathidar: The Rebel Voice of Voiceless
Pushpa Sathidar
— wife of late actor-activist
Veera Sathidar
— over recitation of
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
's poem 'Hum Dekhenge' at an event to mark his death anniversary in Nagpur on May 13, many are asking: Who was Veera Sathidar, and why does his memory continue to inspire resistance?
Born as Vijay Vairagade in the Joginagar area of Wardha district, Sathidar never used his surname.
He believed that surnames reveal caste identities and chose instead to call himself 'Veera Sathidar' - Veera, the comrade of the people's movement.
A staunch Ambedkarite, Sathidar was a prominent voice in social justice struggles, known for his fearless journalism, passionate speeches, and activism. He edited the Marathi magazine 'Vidrohi' (The Rebel), which highlighted lives and struggles of the oppressed. Through his work, he advocated for
Dalit rights
, social equity, and constitutional values.
Sathidar was deeply associated with the Republican Panther movement, working for the uplift of the marginalized. He was a frequent speaker at conferences across India, where his lectures on caste, discrimination, and democracy often stirred thought and action.
While his activism earned him respect among grassroots movements, it was the critically acclaimed 2014 Marathi film 'Court' that brought him international recognition.
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Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, the film scrutinised the judicial system and won the prestigious Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal) at the National Film Awards. Sathidar played the pivotal role of folk singer Narayan Kamble, a character loosely based on real-life activists targeted by the system.
Despite the fame, Sathidar remained grounded in his mission. "Cinema was just one way to tell the truth. I was, and will always be, a part of the people's movement," he said in an interview with TOI then.
Veera Sathidar passed away due to Covid-19 during the pandemic in May 2021. For many, his death anniversary is a reaffirmation of his ideals. The recent incident, where some speakers allegedly made anti-national remarks, has now shifted focus from homage to headlines.
As legal proceedings unfold against Pushpa Sathidar, activists and artists across the country have voiced concern, calling it an attempt to silence dissent.
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