Who Was Veera Sathidar: The Rebel Voice of Voiceless
Pushpa Sathidar
— wife of late actor-activist
Veera Sathidar
— over recitation of
Faiz Ahmed Faiz
's poem 'Hum Dekhenge' at an event to mark his death anniversary in Nagpur on May 13, many are asking: Who was Veera Sathidar, and why does his memory continue to inspire resistance?
Born as Vijay Vairagade in the Joginagar area of Wardha district, Sathidar never used his surname.
He believed that surnames reveal caste identities and chose instead to call himself 'Veera Sathidar' - Veera, the comrade of the people's movement.
A staunch Ambedkarite, Sathidar was a prominent voice in social justice struggles, known for his fearless journalism, passionate speeches, and activism. He edited the Marathi magazine 'Vidrohi' (The Rebel), which highlighted lives and struggles of the oppressed. Through his work, he advocated for
Dalit rights
, social equity, and constitutional values.
Sathidar was deeply associated with the Republican Panther movement, working for the uplift of the marginalized. He was a frequent speaker at conferences across India, where his lectures on caste, discrimination, and democracy often stirred thought and action.
While his activism earned him respect among grassroots movements, it was the critically acclaimed 2014 Marathi film 'Court' that brought him international recognition.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, the film scrutinised the judicial system and won the prestigious Golden Lotus (Swarna Kamal) at the National Film Awards. Sathidar played the pivotal role of folk singer Narayan Kamble, a character loosely based on real-life activists targeted by the system.
Despite the fame, Sathidar remained grounded in his mission. "Cinema was just one way to tell the truth. I was, and will always be, a part of the people's movement," he said in an interview with TOI then.
Veera Sathidar passed away due to Covid-19 during the pandemic in May 2021. For many, his death anniversary is a reaffirmation of his ideals. The recent incident, where some speakers allegedly made anti-national remarks, has now shifted focus from homage to headlines.
As legal proceedings unfold against Pushpa Sathidar, activists and artists across the country have voiced concern, calling it an attempt to silence dissent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Travis Kelce may not retire until he fulfills his childhood dream
(Image via Kansas City Chiefs X: Travis Kelce) Travis Kelce wants to fulfill his childhood dream of giving his all to football. And unless and until he feels that his dream is fulfilled, he says he does not plan to retire. On June 30, the Kansas City Chiefs' tight end talks candidly about retirement with the hosts of the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. Kelce says, 'I don't know what I'm gonna feel like in March and in April next year when I make that decision, or I try to figure out what's next for me. But I know that I got one on the contract and I got a hell of a f*cking team and we got a lot of f*cking talent and I'm pumped for it.' Further in the podcast, when the hosts pressed for retirement date, the 3-time Super Bowl Champion said, 'I don't wanna leave anything out there. I wanna give it my all and make sure that I do for the childhood dream in me. You know what I mean? The kid in me is like - I wanna make this sh*t the best thing ever man.' The Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Taylor Swift's NFL boyfriend, Travis Kelce, does not plan to retire till he achieves his childhood dream The question of retirement always looms over the 35-year-old tight end's aura. A podcast with the showrunners of Bussin' With The Boys, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, was no different. But when it did, Travis Kelce knew exactly how to handle it. For starters, Kelce talked about his past season. 'I'm going into the last year of my contract, 13th year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo I wanna make this dream that I've always had the best it's ever been. I think I failed last year in a lot of different ways for my guys on the field, in terms of being a leader and just being prepared and ready to rock. I'm motivated to be f*cking accountable for the guys, man.' Travis Kelce Talks NFL Retirement, Chiefs Super Bowl Loss + Bussin' With The Boys Meets Taylor Swift Could the 2025 NFL season be the last year for the 10-time Pro Bowler, Travis Kelce? Will Compton asked, 'Pouring all that into this season, like setting all the other stuff aside, just focusing on football. Is there a little bit of mortality coming with this being your last year in Kansas City? Like, this could be the last year for Travis Kelce?' Taylor Swift's NFL boyfriend said, 'I mean, it's the last one on the contract. I'm focused on this one, man. I don't know what next year's gonna feel like. I don't know what I'm gonna feel like in March and in April next year when I make that decision, or I try to figure out what's next for me. But I know that I got one on the contract and I got a hell of a f*cking team and we got a lot of f*cking talent and I'm pumped for it.' Did the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX stop Travis Kelce from retiring? Taylor Lewan asked, 'There were a bunch of rumors swirling around that this could be the last year, this past year. Well, how close were you to hanging it up? Would the Super Bowl have changed that for you?' 'It might have made me think about it a little bit more. I think I just had a sour taste in my mouth immediately, and like, man, this can't be the last game, you know. I still feel like I can do it. And I kind of wanted to give myself that full focus when I kind of looked at the year, review, and how I got ready for the year, and things like that. It's not to say that I was doing it wrong; it's just that when you get older, you start to figure things out differently. Like your body doesn't react to how it used to do things. You have to focus a little bit more on the preparation, and being there, and being ready, and then throughout the week, you've got to have more of a plan to get back to 100 percent. And thinking about all those things, it was like - I don't wanna leave anything out there. I wanna give it my all and make sure that I do for the childhood dream in me. You know what I mean? The kid in me is like - I wanna make this sh*t the best thing ever man.' Also Read: Jalin Hyatt, New York Giants wide receiver, attributes his 25-pound weight gain to darkness | NFL News - Times of India Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Vikrant Massey opens up about renting luxury designer outfits to attend Bollywood parties and events initially: 'My wife said, it's our expense for an entire month'
Actor Vikrant Massey , who once earned Rs 35 lakh per month from television, recently opened up about a phase in his life when he attempted to reinvent himself to fit into the film industry's social mould. The actor had to spend a lot of money on his outfits during the transition period, and his wife Sheetal Thakur made him realise the extravagant lifestyle he had chosen in order to attend Bollywood parties and events. Vikrant Massey tried to attend parties and dress up in luxury outfits In a candid conversation with actress Rhea Chakraborty on her YouTube channel, Vikrant spoke about experimenting with PR-driven appearances and high-end fashion. He felt compelled to keep up with industry trends. 'Not that I didn't try, I did try it for a good 4–5 months. I started attending parties, I started renting out clothes, they are so expensive. It costs so much money to wear those clothes just once,' Vikrant admitted. Vikrant Massey in Full Daddy Mode MELTS Hearts in Spain Vikrant Massey about his wife Sheetal Thakur's life changing statement His decision to spend Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per event on clothes was questioned by his wife Sheetal. 'My wife, who was my girlfriend then, she would be like, 'Why? Rs 50,000–Rs 60,000 a day, per event? You are wearing a designer's costume for 4–5 hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience cinema like never before Boat Buy Now Undo That's our expense for an entire month',' he shared. Vikrant shared how unnatural the experience felt. Going to the parties and wearing such ultra-expensive clothes made him feel very self-conscious. He was anxious about the outfit getting dirty, as he had to return it to the designer after the event. He realised that it was not helping his personality or comfort. He spoke about it when some people encouraged him to do so. 'It suits other people. So it's not like I am right and they are wrong, that thing was wrong for me,' he added. Vikrant Massey's work front On the work front, Vikrant Massey is gearing up for the release of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan alongside Shanaya Kapoor . It will hit theatres on July 11.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Is Vince McMahon the most controversial boss? Shocking cases that have been filed against WWE's former CEO
(Image via Getty Images: Vince McMahon) Once the biggest name in the world of WWE, Vince McMahon has been a controversy magnet for most of his lifetime. Not just the latest row with former employee Janet Grant, McMahon has been named in numerous other lawsuits over the years. From ex-WWE wrestler Sable filing a s*xual misconduct case against him to the multiple hush money instances that were made public in 2022, he is not lacking for legal troubles. Which is probably why many believe he is one of, if not the most controversial, bosses that are in the public eye. The Steroid scandal Back in 1994, when the WWE was still known as WWF, Vince McMahon was indicted in federal court because of a steroid controversy, which said he supplied performance-enhancing drugs to the wrestlers in his company. This led to the transfer of control of the WWF to his now ex-wife, Linda McMahon. But McMahon was acquitted of all charges by the jury due to a lack of evidentiary support. The Sable lawsuit One of the earliest instances of a lawsuit being filed against Vince McMahon was when Sable , one of the biggest stars who once graced the WWE ring, filed a s*xual misconduct lawsuit against her boss. It was a $110 million lawsuit that was filed against both McMahon and the company, WWE, for s*xual misconduct and unsafe working environment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo But things didn't stir much, as the suit was settled out of court, and Sable returned to work once more under the WWE banner. The Rita Marie lawsuit Yet another s*xual lawsuit was filed against McMahon when a former WWF referee, Rita Chatterton aka Rita Marie, accused him of forcing her to perform oral s*x on him; and when she refused to comply, he r*ped her. This matter was also settled out of court, as the former WWE bossman said he wanted to settle to "avoid the cost of litigation." The two Tanning spa incidents In two separate instances - 2006 and 2011, Vince McMahon was accused by two separate individuals from two separate tanning salons of s*xual misconduct. The first incident was from Miami, and the second from California, but no charges were filed after the investigation. The hush-money scandal Vince McMahon was accused of paying hush money to a former WWE employee after being in a consensual relationship with them for three years back in 2022. But the case fizzled out and McMahon stated that the discrepancy in finance was due to accounting errors. The Janel Grant lawsuit Back in January of 2024, a lawsuit was filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant , where she accused her former boss, Vince McMahon, and the former WWE EVP John Laurinaitis, of s*xual misconduct and s*x trafficking charges. She said that she was used by McMahon as a barter to make people compliant with him on various occasions. Also Read: WWE founder Vince McMahon has objected to Janel Grant obtaining new evidence in the Vince McMahon s*x trafficking scandal case This eventually led to McMahon having to quit WWE's parent company, TKO, and leaving behind something that was built by him for the better part of his career. The lawsuit is still ongoing, and the federal court has yet to reach a verdict on the matter. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
