Pune, Correspondent - 21 July 2025
A persistent struggle led by Aslam Bagwan, founder of Incredible Samajsevak Group, has resulted in a major victory for vegetable vendors and street hawkers in Kondhwa. After 26 days of protest, the Pune Municipal Corporation has finally allotted space near Sheetal Petrol Pump and Otawale Market in front of Kumar Prithvi Society for the displaced vendors.
Bagwan’s non-violent protest (Satyagraha) was supported by vendors, hawkers, and various social organizations. The movement received special support from Neelam Iyer, Kashinath Nakhate (Maharashtra Street Vendors’ Revolutionary Federation), Masoom Sanstha, and the National Coordination Committee of People’s Movements. Political backing came from Indian National Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Janshakti Party, Loksena Party, and the Republican Party of India, along with strong support from local citizens.
Authorities including Kondhwa Police Station, Wanwadi-Ramtekdi Division, Encroachment Department, Property Division, and Assistant Commissioners also cooperated in resolving the matter.
Timeline of the Protest
On June 24, 2025, a traffic coordination meeting was held by close aides of a former corporator to address severe congestion in the Kondhwa area. Issues such as illegal construction, heavy transport vehicles, and proposed DP roads were discussed. A Kondhwa Traffic Action Committee was formed, and a WhatsApp group was created to ensure coordination.
Residents were already burdened with local issues when a former corporator from the Ajit Pawar faction launched a circular hunger strike demanding action on the DP Road. However, the strike failed.
Suddenly, under political influence and election motives, a new "committee head" was appointed. On June 28, 2025 (Sunday), action was taken against the weekly market vendors without proper legal backing, ignoring court orders and laws.
The crackdown turned into a true struggle when these vendors—many of them farmers and small-scale hawkers—were threatened, lured, and displaced in violation of Articles 14, 15, 16, 19(g), and 21 of the Indian Constitution, and in contempt of Supreme Court rulings (2088, 2098, 2013, etc.).
In response, Aslam Ishaq Bagwan launched a peaceful Satyagraha against the Pune Municipal Corporation, following the path of the Constitution, Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence, and the teachings of Shivaji, Phule, Shahu, Ambedkar, and Maulana Azad.
Despite facing threats, slander, and even abuse toward women protestors, not a single vendor resumed their business illegally. Their peaceful resistance continued with dignity and discipline.
Finally, Justice Delivered
After a long and determined struggle, the vendors were granted official space near Sheetal Petrol Pump and in front of Kumar Prithvi Society’s Otawale Market—marking a significant victory for people’s rights and lawful protest.
000
About The Author
