Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar, National Secretary of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, Honoured with the 'Sanatan Dharmashri' Award

While honoring Advocate Sanjeev Punhalekar (on the right) with the ‘Sanatan Dharmshree’ award, Satguru Anuradha Wadekar.

Mumbai – Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar, the National Secretary of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, was honoured with the ‘Sanatan Dharmashri’ award by the Sanatan Sanstha. Sanatan Sanstha’s religious preacher, Sadguru Anuradha Wadekar, felicitated Advocate Punalekar. The ceremony was held in Dadar on June 19.

From May 17 to 19, 2025, during the ‘Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnaad’ festival organized by Sanatan Sanstha, individuals working for Hindu religious awareness and national protection were honored with the ‘Hindu Rashtra Ratna’ and ‘Sanatan Dharmashri’ awards.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar was unable to attend the festival, so he was presented the award in Mumbai.

Adv.SanjeevPunalekar, a fearless legal warrior and staunch defender of #Dharma, has been conferred with the esteemed Sanatan Dharmashri Award by Sanatan Sanstha.

This honor celebrates his unwavering commitment to #Hindu Dharma and his fearless legal advocacy for countless… pic.twitter.com/75RFOs0DCY

— Sanatan Sanstha (@SanatanSanstha) June 20, 2025

Present at the occasion were Sanatan Sanstha’s Pujya (Mrs.) Sangeeta Jadhav, Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Mr. Abhay Vartak, Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad’s National President Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar District Coordinator Mr. Sagar Chopdar, Mumbai District Coordinator Mr. Balwant Pathak, author of the books “Dabholkar Hatya Ani Mi” and “Malegaon Sphotamagle Adrishya Haath” Mr. Vikram Bhave, and Advocate Mrs. Kishori Kulkarni.

This honour belongs to all the advocates who have worked with me – Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar

“I am deeply grateful for being conferred the ‘Sanatan Dharmashri’ award. After joining this collective mission, I received inspiration and guidance from the founder of Sanatan Sanstha, Sachchidananda Parabrahman Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale. It is truly He who has given me this award. Honestly, I do not consider myself worthy of it.

Today, many advocates have come forward for the cause of the nation and Dharma. This award is a recognition of all the advocates who have worked alongside me. I humbly accept this honour as a representative of them all.

I assure you – until the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra, we will not rest.”

Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar — A Pillar of Strength for Hindutvavadis!

Fiercely committed to the cause of Hindutva, Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar has been practicing law for over 25 years and currently serves as the National Secretary of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, an organization of pro-Hindu lawyers.

During the Congress regime, several brutal conspiracies were orchestrated to label Hindutvavadis as “Hindu terrorists” and trap them in various legal cases. At that time, even some pro-Hindu individuals and organizations hesitated to extend support. In such trying times, Advocate Punalekar courageously took up the cases of these accused and provided them with unwavering legal aid.

From the Malegaon blast case, the Margao blast case, and the Dr. Narendra Dabholkar murder case, to the Govind Pansare murder case and the Nalasopara explosives case — Advocate Punalekar offered free legal support to Hindutvavadis. Standing firm behind the accused, he forcefully put forth the truth in society and became a reliable pillar for the pro-Hindu community.

Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar has not only fought legal battles for Hindutvavadis, but has also worked to build a strong network of like-minded lawyers through the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad. His goal has been to encourage more advocates to contribute to the cause of Hindutva.

Beyond the courtroom, Advocate Punalekar has also made a significant impact in the social sector. Thanks to a petition filed by him, charitable hospitals in Maharashtra are now required to reserve 20% of their beds free of charge and another 10% at concessional rates for underprivileged patients. This initiative has benefitted countless poor patients across the state.

Those who acquire land from the government often try to show it as ancestral property. Due to a petition filed by Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar, individuals receiving such plots are now required to publicly display detailed information about the allotment—such as who acquired the land and when—on a board at the site, and also upload this information on the District Collector’s official website for public access.

Advocate Sanjeev Punalekar was falsely implicated in the narrative of ‘Hindu terrorism’ and was imprisoned for 42 days. Despite this, he remained undeterred and continued to contribute to religious and legal efforts as an advocate. His unwavering, selfless dedication in fighting for Hindutva makes him a true ‘guardian of Hinduism’ and an inspiration for all those devoted to Dharma.