Pune: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and National President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), Ramdas Athawale, announced his intent to advocate for the Bharat Ratna award for Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe. Athawale plans to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah soon.

"The contribution of Lokshahir Anna Bhau Sathe is unparalleled. His literature, folk performances, work in labor movements, and his journey from Wategaon to Mumbai and Russia is astonishing.

The demand to award him 'Bharat Ratna' has been pending for many years. I will personally follow up on this matter and soon discuss it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah," assured Union Minister of State for Social Justice and National President of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) Ramdas Athawale.

On the occasion of Anna Bhau Sathe's 104th birth anniversary, a tribute ceremony was organized by the Matang Community Coordination Committee at Sarasbaug.

During the event, the first 'Late Hanumantrao Sathe Social Worker Award' was presented to RPI leader Balasaheb Janrao by Athawale. Senior leader Bhimrao Patole, RPI city president Sanjay Sonawane, Dr. Siddharth Dhenge, Ashok Kamble, Ashok Shirole, Matang Front's Viren Sathe, Ravindra Arade, Prakash Vairal, Datta Jadhav, Rajabhau Dadde, Janardan Waghmare, Sachin Bagade, Vikas Satarakar, Pradeep Kamble, Sunil Khandale, Nilesh Waghmare, and others were present on the occasion.

Athawale and the attendees paid tribute to Anna Bhau's full-sized statue by offering floral garlands.

Athawale also noted, "Hanumant Sathe, who followed the ideologies of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Anna Bhau, was our comrade who passed away prematurely. He worked to unite the community. It brings joy that an award has been started in his name."