Tribute to the satyagrahi spirit of Ahilyatai Ramnekar
The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) pays rich tributes and mourns the passing away of one of the greatest struggles of women's rights in Maharashtra in the recent times, Ahilyatai Ramnekar, who since her early years was with the people's movements for justice and equality.
An indomitable fighter with a Marxist vision and a firm struggler of the downtrodden, working classes and all the disadvantaged sections at large, she was a non-compromising left visionary until her last breath. She always supported our struggles and tried to reach out to the agitators whether from Narmada valley or the women from the bastis. Beyond her writings and speeches, mass actions with a Satyagrahi spirit, with others like Mrinal Gore, are an indispensable heritage for all people's movements. We salute her contribution and truly devoted life.
We have lost a truly committed veteran Marxist at a critical stage when people's movements are facing the combined onslaught of neo-colonialism and neo-liberalization. Visionaries like Ahilyatai continue to be our beacon light for our ongoing struggles in these challenging times.
Medha Patkar, Suniti SR, Anand Mazgaonkar