By Yogesh Maitreya, TwoCircles.net
Mumbai: The book to commemorate the work and contribution into Ambedkarite movement of an ex-Panther J.V. Pawar, was launched at Dr. Ambedkar Bhavan, Dadar (east), Mumbai On September 19, 2015.
The title of the book is ‘J. V. Pawar Gauravgrath’ roughly translates as commemorative book of J.V Pawar. It was a significant event, in which Ambedkarite political figures across parties and Ambedkarite writers were present. At the book launch event, Vira Sathidar (lead character from the movie ‘Court’), Bhimrao Ambedkar (Grandson of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar), Arjun Dangle (Ex-Panther and editor of the book ‘Poisoned bread’, and Mr. Ramdas Athwale (National president of RPI(A)) were present.
J.V. Pawar was one of the founding members of Dalit Panthers and participated into almost all of its activities, which he documented in his books too. J.V. Pawar is a poet, writer and activist. His Marathi poetry collection, titled ‘Nakebandi’ translated into English as ‘Blockade’. His significant contribution into Dalit/Ambedkarite movement is his five immensely valuable book volumes about ‘Ambedkarite movement after Ambedkar’. Not only this, J.V. Pawar has also written a novel and several many important books about Dalit/Ambedkarite political movement.
To recall the contribution of J.V. Pawar, Sambhaji Bhagat, a balladeer, playwright, song writer and an Ambedkarite activist said that ‘we created so many things, but J.V. Pawar documented it. He documented the movement. Imagine if someone has documented it other than us or him, he would have certainly distorted the history of the movement.’
Another close associate of J.V. Pawar, Bhau Tursekar, said that ‘J.V. Pawar is a movement in itself. An activist in him will never be tired’. He is the Google of Ambedkarite movement today.’