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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
How a dowry death case in Pune has led to code for simple weddings in Maratha community
In the wake of Vaishnavi Hagawane's suicide, allegedly driven by demands of dowry by her marital family, members of the Maratha community converged at Ahilyanagar on Sunday to introspect and draw up a code of conduct to curb extravagant weddings, in the hope that such a societal pressure might help curb harassment of women. The meeting was chaired by Haribhakt Parayan Badrinath Maharaj Tanpure, a kirtankar of the Warkari tradition who belongs to a family of preachers known to advocate social equality. Over time he has earned recognition and lakhs of followers, and is known as a socially conscious kirtankar of the Warkari tradition, thanks to his progressive ideology. On May 19, after 23-year-old Vaishnavi was found dead at her marital home in Bavdhan, Pune, her father, Anil Kaspate, in an FIR filed at Bavdhan police station alleged that at her in-laws were pressuring them for a Toyota Fortuner, after the family had given them gifts in gold and silver. Vaishnavi's suicide created such a storm that her father-in-law, Rajendra Hagawane, an NCP leader, was expelled from the party, following which police arrested multiple members of the family, including Hagawane and Vaishnavi's husband, Shashank. Both the Hagawanes and Kaspates are Marathas. At the meeting in Ahilyanagar, participants condemned the dowry system and proposed an 11-point wedding code of conduct. Among the resolutions were: avoiding lavish weddings with no pre-wedding shoots, limiting the guest list to 100-200 people and using traditional musicians instead of DJs. Crucially, the community resolved to boycott weddings where pre-wedding photo or video shoots are displayed during ceremonies. 'Dowry must be avoided and the money should instead be kept as a fixed deposit in the girl's name,' the participants suggested. B Dhumal, an author and entrepreneur, who participated in the meeting, said: 'This incident has awakened the entire community. We deliberated over the issue and came up with suggestions. After compiling them, we have drawn up a code of conduct for weddings in the community.' Others who participated in the meeting include NCP MLA Chetan Tupe, former mayors of Pune Ankush Kakde and Rajlaxmi Bhosale, former corporator Shrikant Shirole, and Maratha activist Rajendra Kondhare. Shirole said, 'Middle class families often emulate the rich and get trapped in loans and thereby incur stress.' Bhosale added, 'Daughters-in-law must know that they will be supported by their families if they are harassed.' Members of the committee have now decided to visit different localities to spread awareness, 'as the community needs to adopt change on its own,' said Tanpure. But will the community follow a code that lacks legal backing? 'A large part of the community is not economically well off – for them this code will be convenient. As for the rich, if the poor decide not to support them, they will have to fall in line eventually,' said Dhumal. Sakal Maratha Samaj convenor Chandrakant Gade Patil, also a participant of the meeting, added, 'It is possible to hold weddings on a small scale once social pressure builds. During COVID-19, many did it successfully.' Marathas comprise over 30 per cent of the state's population. The community is also politically active with most public representatives including MLAs and MPs emerging from here. Over the past few years, the economically influential and politically connected community members have seen organising big fat weddings, attended by thousands. Earlier, on May 26, prominent Maratha families and political leaders convened in Pune to express concern over the culture of extravagant weddings, especially when coupled with demands for dowry. Reflecting on the way forward, Pune Congress chief Arvind Shinde said, 'The community has resolved to socially boycott families who harass their daughters-in-law. No one will marry into such families.' It now remains to be seen if this momentum for reform will sustain.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
World-class Sant Dnyaneshwar Knowledge Complex to come up in Alandi: CM Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced a grand plan to establish a world-class Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Knowledge Complex in Alandi. The plan is aimed at spreading the eternal and welfare-centric philosophy of the ancient Bhagwat Dharma across the world, he said. Speaking at the 701st birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, the chief minister said the Knowledge Complex will be constructed on a 450-acre site, with a budget of Rs 701 crore. This centre will reflect the spiritual wealth of India and take our timeless values to a global platform, he said. Fadnavis also spoke about the rejuvenation of the Indrayani River. A detailed plan has been submitted to the Centre. After approval, treated water from Pimpri Chinchwad and 39 surrounding villages will be released into the Indrayani, making it clean, sacred, and suitable for worship, he added. In recognition of his efforts in promoting Bhagwat Dharma, HBP Shantibrahma Guru Maruti Maharaj Kurekar will be recommended for the Padma award, the chief minister said. Highlighting the contribution of saints and the Warkari tradition, Fadnavis said that during foreign invasions, it was our saints who preserved Indian thought, culture, and spiritual identity. Their teachings promoted a casteless and inclusive society. He emphasised that mental peace cannot be achieved solely through material development. India is the richest nation in terms of spiritual legacy, and this wealth has been safeguarded by our saints, he noted. The event also marked the release of Namo Dnyaneshwara, a book offering a reflective overview of Sant Dnyaneshwar's literary works, and its audiobook version, both unveiled by the chief minister. He pointed out that the Dnyaneshwari, the Marathi interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita, played a key role in advocating classical status for the Marathi language. The Chief Minister was felicitated by the Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan, and the Jagtap family was honoured for their contributions to annadan or community food donation. Several dignitaries and spiritual leaders attended the event.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State following War Book for precautionary measures: CM
Pune: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said state govt was following the War Book to take precautionary measures amid the conflict between India and visited the holy town of Alandi in Pune district on Saturday to attend an event of the Warkari community. Speaking about the security arrangements in the state against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan conflict, he told reporters before the event, "We are following the War Book to take all the necessary precautionary measures. All the district units are working in close coordination. We are ensuring that correct information goes to all these units in time." Considering the presence of several military establishments in the state and Mumbai being the financial capital of the country, Fadnavis chaired a meeting in the state capital on Friday to review the security preparedness. A day after, he slammed Pakistan on Saturday for sponsoring terrorism. "Everybody knows Pakistan backs terrorism. This time, India will not tolerate it. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi , our armed forces have given a befitting reply to our enemies," he the event of the Warkari community in Alandi, he lauded the contribution of saints of Maharashtra to shaping up the social fabric of the country. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar "Our saints kept on sowing the seeds of spirituality and Bhagwat dharma in society without discriminating on the basis of caste, creed, religion and gender. They made the social structure so strong that the invaders failed to finish our culture despite so many invasions," the chief minister said. Pune: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said state govt was following the War Book to take precautionary measures amid the conflict between India and visited the holy town of Alandi in Pune district on Saturday to attend an event of the Warkari community. Speaking about the security arrangements in the state against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan conflict, he told reporters before the event, "We are following the War Book to take all the necessary precautionary measures. All the district units are working in close coordination. We are ensuring that correct information goes to all these units in time." Considering the presence of several military establishments in the state and Mumbai being the financial capital of the country, Fadnavis chaired a meeting in the state capital on Friday to review the security preparedness. A day after, he slammed Pakistan on Saturday for sponsoring terrorism. "Everybody knows Pakistan backs terrorism. This time, India will not tolerate it. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our armed forces have given a befitting reply to our enemies," he the event of the Warkari community in Alandi, he lauded the contribution of saints of Maharashtra to shaping up the social fabric of the country. "Our saints kept on sowing the seeds of spirituality and Bhagwat dharma in society without discriminating on the basis of caste, creed, religion and gender. They made the social structure so strong that the invaders failed to finish our culture despite so many invasions," the chief minister said.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Muslim Marathi Literary Summit concludes with a strong message of harmony and education
1 2 Nagpur: "Education is the only path towards true empowerment. Instead of blaming each other, we must come together in harmony and brotherhood," said Dr SN Pathan , president of the 10th All India Muslim Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, as the 2-day summit concluded in Nagpur on Sunday evening. Delivering his concluding address, Dr Pathan emphasised that the literary summit had no political agenda but was a platform to bring forward diverse ideas and promote unity. "Let the message of Hindu-Muslim unity spread from this conference. Today, more than ever, the ideals of social harmony taught by the Warkari and Sufi saints are needed," he said, appealing for a renewed focus on education among Muslims to achieve development and uplift. The summit, which began on April 26, witnessed a vibrant celebration of Muslim contribution to Marathi literature through symposiums, plays, storytelling sessions, poetry meets, and book releases. Writers, poets, and literary activists from across Maharashtra participated in large numbers. The second day opened with the much-acclaimed theatrical monologue 'Mai Fatima Bol Rahi Hu', followed by 'Samvidhan Zindabad', a stirring portrayal of the making of the Indian Constitution and the monumental role of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. A storytelling session, presided over by Ayyub Nallamandu from Solapur and conducted by Prof Suraiyya Jahagirdar, captured various shades of Muslim life in Maharashtra's rural and urban settings. The symposium on 'Education, Reservation, and Protection of Muslims' and the 'Role of Media' saw pointed discussions under the leadership of Naushad Usman from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Another symposium focused on 'Cultural and Financial Threats on Minorities under Democracy', presided over by Dr Aslam Bari of Nagpur. The concluding ceremony was graced by Swati Karad (Pune), former MP Hussain Dalwai, Adv Firdos Mirza, Prof Javed Pasha Qureishi, Dr KG Pathan, Prabhu Rajgadkar, Prof Ramesh Pise, Imtiyaz Ali, Prof Faruq Sheikh, Hasib Nadaf, Dr Aslam Bari, and Dr Mamta Moon among others. Throughout the summit, symposiums explored rich topics such as the literature of Muslim Marathi saints, the influence of Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar thought on Muslim literature, and the expression of pain and rebellion in their writings. A multilingual poetry summit chaired by Siraj Shikalkar saw participation from nearly 100 poets.
