Will continue my efforts towards creating awareness among Hindus : Shrikant Pangarkar

Shrikant Pangarkar, newly elected pro-Hindu corporator from Jalna, speaks to ‘Sanatan Prabhat’

When an unwavering affection and pride for Hindu Dharma is created, the person works for the protection of Dharma throughout his life, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be in his personal life. It is because of this extraordinary sacrifice of countless devotees for the sake of Dharma, it has been protected from the invaders. One such example is Shrikant Pangarkar, a staunch Hindu from Jalna who was re-elected as a corporator. The system tried to implicate him in the murder of a communist journalist, Gauri Lankesh, and kept him in prison for 8 years; but his affection for Dharma and his desire to create awareness among Hindus did not diminish in the slightest. He has been elected as an independent corporator in Jalna once again to do social and religious work. ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ is publishing an interview with this devout Hindu from Jalna, conducted via mobile phone.

1. Question: First of all, congratulations from ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ ! You have come this far after enduring so much hardship through such a difficult time, what do you think about this ? What are your feelings ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: It is the grace of God that I was able to remain steadfast even in these difficult times. By the grace of Mata Jagdamba, I got the strength to endure everything. God created the ability within me such that I could bear it all and everything became easier. If you look at the picture today, the people of my ward have stood with me.

2. Question: You had to remain in prison in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. How do you see this injustice ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: I was in prison for 6 years from 2018 to 2024. I was entrapped in this case although I was completely innocent. I think it is absolutely wrong to keep someone in prison until the charges are proven. The hearing should be held, and the verdict should be out within 1-2 years. It was wrong to keep me in prison for 6 years without conducting the trial in Court. 6 years of my life were wasted. Will I ever get them back ?

3. Question: Even after the dark chapter of the Gauri Lankesh case, people loved you; they elected you. How did you achieve such affection from people ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: I was arrested on charges against me. Actually, I was a corporator of Shiv Sena from 2001 to 2011. The people of my ward know my nature. Even after my name came up in the Gauri Lankesh case and I was arrested, the people knew that I was innocent. That is why the people elected me again.

4. Question: The communists tried to tarnish your image through false propaganda. How did you overcome this ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: I was arrested despite being innocent. I had no other option but to suffer; but there was Divine inspiration from within. I was also guided by the lawyers for a legal fight. That is why I was able to endure all this.

5. Question: You have suffered so much for Hindutva. You have emerged from all this as a stronger person. What is in your mind today as a political leader, as a devout Hindu ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: I realized my responsibility. I realized that I must be constantly vigilant and make efforts to gain and maintain the trust of the people.

6. Question: What are your next plans as a corporator ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: As a corporator, I will continue to provide the citizens with their daily and essential facilities. For example, electricity supply, water supply, street lighting, etc. I will launch a campaign against drugs as they are the root cause of crime. Along with this, I will also make efforts towards women’s safety.

7. Question: Today there is a demand from Hindus to enact an anti-Love Jihad law. What are you going to do in your ward on this ? Do you have any plans for religious awareness among Hindus in general ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: Yes, I will also try to enact an anti-Love Jihad law. I am going to make a plan to create awareness among girls and women. I will arrange self-defense training sessions for women to make them capable of self-defense. I will also try to start gyms to keep the youth physically fit. I will try to create awareness among Hindus. I will try to make society aware of right and wrong and lead them on the right path. Overall, Hindu organization is the need of the hour. I will try for this in my ward.

8. Question: Problems like splits in political parties, defections, rebellions etc. have plagued the political sector, especially Maharashtra. What are your thoughts on this ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: Today, the situation is such that no political party has any principles left. The people know everything. One day, the people are going to explode.

9. Question: You have endured many hardships. We believe that this is your sacrifice for the greater good of Hindutva. You were a victim of communist conspiracy. What flaws in the system did you notice during this period ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: Just as we Hindutva activists were arrested, some urban Naxalists were also arrested. However, while the media was publishing news about them, it was portraying them positively, while it was publishing news about us in an inappropriate and negative manner. From this perspective, Hindus should be aware and develop a conscience about whom to support.

10. Question: Films like ‘The Kashmir Files’ created a lot of awareness among Hindus. The issue of Kashmiri Hindus reached crores of Hindus; but even today, if we look at it, only organizations like ‘Panun Kashmir’ and a handful of pro-Hindu organizations that support it are fighting the issue of Kashmiri Hindus. So, how do you think awareness should be created among Hindus ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: The issue of atrocities on Hindus through films like ‘The Kashmir Files’ creates a momentary feeling in the Hindu community. Over time, the Hindu community gets involved in its own business and the thought of Hindu unity fades away. In fact, after such films, it is necessary to continuously motivate them and create awareness among them.

11. Question: As a pro-Hindu corporator, what efforts will you make to increase awareness of Hindutva in the locality ?

Shrikant Pangarkar: I am going to establish an organization called ‘Kodand Pratishthan’. Its process is underway. Through it, we intend to create awareness among Hindus, try to make the society drug-free, launch a campaign for women’s protection, and also handle cases of ‘Love Jihad’.