CM KCR demands Bharat Ratna for Anna Bhau Sathe

He provided reassurance to the people of Maharashtra, stating that the Telangana government would strongly endorse the Bharat Ratna award for the eminent social thinker.

Hyderabad: BRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider social reformer and writer Anna Bhau Sathe from Maharashtra for the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

Addressing the birth anniversary celebrations of the poet at Wategaon village in Maharashtra, he said a country like Russia had held him in high esteem, recognized his contributions and honoured him by inviting him to the country. But his own country, India, had failed to acknowledge his greatness.

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He assured the people of Maharashtra that the Telangana government would recommend the Bharat Ratna award for the great social thinker of yesteryears. “I will write personally to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him for Bharat Ranta to Anna Bhau Sathe. The letter will be sent to him soon along with the recommendation from Telangana State,” he said, also demanding Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to nominate Anna Bhau Sathe for Bharat Ratna.

Originally known as Tukaram Bhaurao Sathe, Anna Bhau Sathe was a political activist and his ideology owed much to his upbringing and identity with the underprivileged communities. Hailing the great past of the Matang community, to which Sathe belonged to, Chandrashekhar Rao said it was the turn of Maharashtra to wake up at least now and recognize the great contributions of Anna Bhau Sathe for the society. His writings were not meant for any particular community or class, but were the source of knowledge for the whole universe, he said.

Gorky’s novel Mother was available in almost all languages. But none of the works by Anna Bhau Sathe could so far be translated into other Indian languages. He requested the Maharashtra government to ensure that Sathe’s works reached people at large in the country along with his message. He wanted the government to help the writer’s valuable literature published in other Indian languages and English as well.

Anna Bhau Sathe had fought many a battle. He continued his crusade without backing out from his avowed stand at any point of time though he faced many odds in the process, Chandrashekhar Rao said.

Pointing out that the Matang Samaj had a great history, he said its roots could be traced back to the great sage Matanga Muni. Its greatness was sung by Kalidasa, but the community was yet to get its due in the electoral politics of Maharashtra. The political parties of the State had failed to ensure the community of due representation in legislative bodies. He said the Bharat Rashtra Samiti would strive to take the community along, ensuring it of its due.

Earlier, Chandrashekhar Rao was extended a rousing welcome at the Kolhapur airport. The airport echoed to the slogan “Ab Ki Baar Kisan Sarkar” as he was received by party leaders and functionaries. He later had darshan of Goddess Mahalakshmi at the famous Mata Ambabai temple in the city. He performed special poojas at the shrine on the occasion.