Pune: Baba Adhav passes away Maharashtra lost one of its tallest social warriors on Wednesday, as veteran socialist leader Dr. Baba Adhav breathed his last at the age of 95. A tireless advocate for labourers, hamals, and the unorganised workforce, Adhav’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the state’s social activism.
Adhav had been unwell for several months. He was admitted to Pune’s Poona Hospital nearly two weeks ago, where his condition deteriorated sharply. Doctors confirmed that he suffered a massive cardiac arrest at 8:25 pm, bringing an illustrious life of service to a close.
A Public Farewell for a People’s Leader
His mortal remains will be placed for public homage on Thursday at Hamal Bhavan, Market Yard, between 10 am and 5 pm. He will be cremated later in the evening at Pune’s Vaikunth Crematorium without any religious rituals, exactly as he wished—a final statement of his lifelong commitment to equality and human dignity.
A Difficult Childhood, A Lifelong Fight
Born on June 1, 1930, in Pune, Adhav lost his father when he was barely three months old. Raised at his maternal home, he entered the Rashtriya Seva Dal at the age of 12 and plunged straight into the Quit India Movement. His worldview was shaped by mentors such as Sane Guruji and S.M. Joshi, who ignited in him a passion for justice and equality.
After completing his medical degree, he opened a clinic in Pune’s Nana Peth but gave it up after 14 years to dedicate himself entirely to social struggles—a decision that defined the rest of his life.
The Architect of the Hamal Panchayat
If there is one legacy that immortalises Baba Adhav, it is the Hamal Panchayat—an organisation that transformed the rights, identity, and dignity of head-load workers in Maharashtra. His campaigns, including the landmark “Ek Gaav, Ek Panavtha” mission, anti-superstition movements, and participation in the Goa Liberation and Samyukta Maharashtra agitations, reshaped the state’s social fabric. (Baba Adhav passes away )
Throughout his journey, Adhav was jailed 53 times. In 1962, he even lost vision in one eye during a brutal lathi charge while protesting against displacement.
A Fearless Voice Till the Very End
Even in his 90s, Baba Adhav remained uncompromisingly vocal. At 93, he raised sharp questions over power politics in Maharashtra, remarking, “The people will decide the fate of those hungry for power.”
Despite age and failing health, he continued joining protests, chanting slogans, and motivating younger activists.
His (Baba Adhav passes away) passing leaves behind an extraordinary legacy—one built not on political power or titles, but on decades of unyielding commitment to the poorest and most invisible sections of society.
