was born in 1938, and as a young boy, I witnessed I the pain and fear that swept through the Brahmin community after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948. These events were not isolated incidents-they were targeted attacks that left deep scars, yet were quietly pushed aside in public memory.
Throughout my life, working in agriculture and rural development, I came to understand the deeper socio-economic and political layers that influence our society. I wrote about these tragic events in Marathi to ensure the truth would not be forgotten, especially by future generations. But I also knew that the reach of the Marathi language was limited.
The injustice endured by the community needed to be shared more widely-not out of resentment, but to ensure that history is remembered with honesty, and that future generations of India grasp the grave consequences a nation faces when hatred is weaponized for political ends.
With great pride, I entrusted this responsibility to my son, Ajay. His exposure to both rural realities and the wider world, combined with his commitment to social service and culture, made him the right person to take this work forward. What you now hold is not just a translation-it is a heartfelt attempt to bring these forgotten truths to a wider audience.
I hope this book encourages reflection, understanding, and remembrance.
The incidences that happened in 1948, which I had witnessed as a child, remain with me as a T painful experience. Even today, at my age of 84, just a thought of those raging infernos of hate sends shivers down the spine. The mind gets restless and disturbed.
As a human being, writing about these experiences is painful and psychologically disturbing. Unconsciously, tears roll down my eyes.
In those circumstances, our community went through tremendous upheavals. They were brought to their knees. Their properties, mansions, houses were looted, and the culprits stamped their ownership on these. The future generation must know how the oppressed Brahmin community were forced to escape to the cities. This is the reason for writing this book. What happened was a reality and every Brahmin should know this. I am very proud of the fact that many families who experienced this ordeal have risen like the phoenix from the ashes of those tyrannical circumstances.
The names of the victims in this book are, in most cases, the actual names, as per the wishes of their families, who view this as a tribute to their loved ones who suffered. However, the names of the attackers have been anonymised or altered. The intent of this book is to shed light on the collective ordeal endured by a community, rather than to single out any individual perpetrator.
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