On the occasion of the death anniversary of Jyotiba Phule,deputy chief Minister and founder chairman of Samta Parishad Chaggan Bhujbal said that Pune Municipal Corporation should to take steps to expand Phule Wada to make it a cultural centre. The state administration will extend all help needed for the same, he said. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule spread the message of equality and always stood against castism Phules wada in the city is an insipiration to the people who work for the causse of equality in society, said Bhujbal,who is also the founder chairman of Samta Parishad. State assembly speaker Dilip Walse Patil,minister of state for home Ramesh Bagwe,MP Sameer Bhujbal,MHADA chairman Ankush Kakde and Pimpri Chinchwad mayor Aparna Doke were present on the occasion. Raosaheb Kasbe,writer and thinker,was awarded the Mahatma Phule Samta Puruskar on the occasion. He said,Todays politics is revolving around issues like caste,language and smacks of regionalism. Politics of division would affect the smooth functioning of our democracy and targets to be achieved like equality for all would take a backseat. It is the duty of every citizen to preserve democratic values of the country, Speaking on the occasion Dilip Walse Patil said,Nowadays issues like empowering women in the society are being discussed in open. Mahatma Phule had put forward these issues in the pre independence era by starting a school for women. Bhujbal also evaded on a question pertaining to the book written by Vinita Kamte,wife of slain ACP Ashok Kamte saying that Home Minister R R Patil is looking into thew issue.
