By Shiva Thorat, TwoCircles.net
Baudhwada, a village in Shirpur of district Dhule, Maharashtra, has been a quiet area, consisting of Buddhists and Mahar population. Until last weekend, when a robbery and a suicide shocked the locality. However, given that municipality elections in this region, about 350 kms from Mumbai, are round the corner, local politicians wasted no time in trying to gain as much mileage as possible from the two incidents.
First, was the robbery from the house of Indubai Saindane, a 70-year-old lady, who earns her living by selling clothes in various nearby villages.
She sources her clothes from Surat, where she gets them for a cheaper rate before going on to sell in the locality. Given that she has no one to look after her, the incident has shocked her to no end. When this correspondent met her, she said tearfully, “The robbery happened when I was not home. They (the robbers) took away my entire life times’ savings. I had 15 grams of gold, half a kilo silver and some cash, all of which came to around Rs 1.5 lakh. Post this incident, I have been rendered helpless.”
The local police official, who wished to remain anonymous, was at Indubai’s home when this correspondent met him. “Given the amount of money she had, there is little in the name of security in the house. I am not sure what kind of groundwork the thieves had done here. But we will investigate this case thoroughly as it concerns everyone and we also have pressure from authorities,” the official said.
The robbery has left Indubai’s neighbours shaken. Bhakabai Shirsath, 54 year old neighbour of Indubai said, “We were witness to her efforts. The Lord will not forgive those thief. As her neighbours, we will ensure that she is not left alone. We will give her all the possible support.”
The robbery has left Indubai’s neighbours shaken. Bhakabai Shirsath, 54 year old neighbour of Indubai said, “We were witness to her efforts. The Lord will not forgive those thief. As her neighbours, we will ensure that she is not left alone. We will give her all the possible support.”
The other incident was the suicide of 32-year-old Jitu Thorat, although the reason remains unclear. “He has left three daughters behind him. His father lost his feet during an accident two years back and since that time, he has been looking after both the families’, neighbour Vijay murmured. Thorat committed suicide by putting his hand into an electricity box attached to a pole. Dr. Shinde from district government hospital, who declared him dead, said, “It was actually miracle that he survived after the shock for some time. We could not however, save him”.
Danny Chande, a 34-year-old resident of Baudhwada and a friend of Thorat, said, “It is really shocking that both the incidents happened within 24 hours. Interestingly, these two incidents took place a week after the Shirpur Market Committee election results came on August 14. Why I am saying this there is a reason that local leaders, who are never seen here, have come here to show their sympathies.” he says, pointing to a personal called Rahul, who had come to visit the place. He is a friend of an independent candidate Ganesh Savale, who is likely to contest in the upcoming election.”
However, the local leaders were not equally enthusiastic about talking to the media, especially since this correspondent knew them on a personal level. Rahul finally spoke, but chose to take a diplomatic stance that revealed little about why he had been there. “Suicide can be stopped if one knows the reasons. I think the reason is money here. If he was with us we could have definitely stopped him. I am telling the area people if they have problems come to us: we will try to solve the problem. Do not commit suicide; life is valuable”.
However, the locals saw through this charade of the political leaders. Vishal Shirsath, a 17-year-old school going student said, “we can easily understand what is going on in the surrounding area. I must say, I have seen deaths earlier also, but never seen so many people like this all around us. All are from our area or near-by area but why everyone is just trying to show that they are helping Jitu bhai’s family?”
In the case of Indubai, beyond political promises, the people of the region have taken it among themselves to raise money for her. Similarly, they are planning to crowdfund money for Thorat’s family also. Eshwar Sapkale, a 38-year-old resident of resident of Baudhwada and a porter by profession, says, “I understand what is going on here, but even I cannot explain why suddenly there is so much interest among the local leaders in these incidents? Maybe they are thinking of impressing the residents,” he says, before adding, “My point is will BJP support late Jitu’s family? Or will Congress come when his disabled father needs help? Will Rashtravadi Party will bring gas when they need it? It seems like Jitu’s dead body is in the market and local leaders have become the merchants”.
Insisting on Induba’is question, he adds, “Collecting money for Indubai is a sensible thing to do, but they only target people who they need. That way, half of the population of area needs some help to develop themselves. But I am sure that once the local elections are over, they will forget all of this. Until next elections, maybe.”