Dr Baba Adhav: Veteran Labour Leader and Social Reformer Passes Away

Dr Baba Adhav Passes Away at 95: Maharashtra Loses a Giant of Labour Rights

Maharashtra is mourning the loss of one of its most respected labour leaders, Dr Baba Adhav , who passed away in Pune at the age of 95. He was undergoing treatment at Poona Hospital. National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed heartfelt condolences, describing him as a remarkable champion of marginalised communities.

A Lifelong Crusader for Workers’ Dignity

For over six decades, Baba Adhav dedicated his life to improving the conditions of workers in the unorganised sector. His activism focused on hamals, rickshaw drivers, construction workers and other vulnerable labour groups who traditionally remained outside formal labour protections. Adhav tirelessly advocated for social security, fair wages and recognition of informal-sector struggles within public policy.

Movements That Defined His Reformist Vision

Among his many initiatives, the Hamal Panchayat stood out as a pioneering model of collective mobilisation and worker self-organisation. His One Village – One Water Source campaign reflected his broader aim of equitable access to essential resources. These grassroots movements strengthened community participation and laid foundations for lasting reforms.

National Tributes and Public Grief

Leaders across parties acknowledged Adhav’s transformative contributions. The Prime Minister praised his unwavering commitment to service, while Maharashtra’s leadership called his legacy “irreplaceable,” noting how his work shaped the state’s social justice landscape.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Dr Baba Adhav was a key figure in Maharashtra’s labour rights movements.

• Founder of the Hamal Panchayat to organise informal-sector workers.

• Promoted the One Village – One Water Source initiative.

• Passed away in Pune at age 95 .