Bali Raja festival marked at Nagpur's Cotton Market on Balipratipada

The Baliraja Mahotsav was celebrated at the Cotton Market premises in Nagpur on the 13th, on the occasion of Balipratipada. The festival, which adds to the joy of Diwali, was held at the same place this year as in previous years. It links the country's farmers, toilers and labourers, described as the original Sindhu (Hindu) people, to the egalitarian and just order of Bali Raja. The programme was held with the support of several social organisations, while the initiative was taken by the Mahatma Phule Birth Bicentenary Celebration Committee, Nagpur.

The event began with tributes to the statues of Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule on the Cotton Market premises. A garland was then offered to a portrait of Mahasamrat Bali Raja. Participants raised the cry "Ida pida tale, Bali ka rajya aaye, Mahasamrat Baliraja ki jai ho" and remembered Bali Raja with gratitude.

Baba Bidkar outlined the background of the festival. He explained Bali Raja's cultural significance, the cultural bond between the country's farmers and working-class labourers, and Bali Raja's link with that culture.

Senior Satyashodhak thinker Arvind Mali spoke on the struggle between Bali Raja and the country's non-Vedic culture. He said farmers' struggle has continued from Bali Raja's time to the present and is an extremely important one. Given this background, he said, people must identify their enemies. He said a handful of people of the same tendency that killed Bali Raja still do not let anyone think about the welfare of the majority OBC, Dalit, Adivasi, women, farmer and working communities. Remembering Bali Raja, he said, the present condition of the Bahujans should also be considered.

Vinod Ulipwar, a senior worker of the Nav Unmeshan Sahitya Sabha, also spoke. He said various cultural and social organisations are working to bring about the equality that existed in Bali Raja's rule, and that everyone needs to work together.

Temraj Male, president of the Satyashodhak Samaj Nagpur, extended greetings and explained the significance of the festival. According to him, farmers are in a bad state in today's hectic life, so it is very important to remember Bali Raja, and the relationship between farmers and Bali Raja should be understood.

Chhaya Khobragade, a senior worker of the women's movement, said Bali Raja's era was one that came close to women's rule, and this should be kept in mind. She said that while running a feminist movement, it is necessary to understand Bali Raja and the matriarchal state system that existed before Bali. The festival's significance should be seen in this light, she said, and everyone should unite against bigoted forces.

Sanjay Shende, president of the Mahatma Phule Birth Bicentenary Celebration Committee, said Mahatma Phule, through his writings, brought out the relationship of Bali Raja and other clan deities with our culture and examined it historically. Therefore, he said, while marking the 200th birth year of Phule, it is necessary to look seriously at this cultural struggle.

Anuj Hulke thanked the dignitaries present for their participation. Sudha Bamanpallewar, Diwakar Sur, Sanjay Narkhedkar, Vilas Bhongade, Raju Bochare, Jayant Jhanjhad, Suresh Kuthe, Shubhangi Ghatole, Indrapal Jaunjalkar, Raju Khadse, Archana Barde, Ranjana Kolhe, Krishna Sarode, Suresh Manmode, Sushma Bhad, Borkar, Bharati Sahare, Sanjay Mange, Surendra Burade, Maroti Panse, Rajendra Daf, Vasant Lande, Prof. Ramesh Pishe, Mukesh Sharma, Manoj Chaware, Gyaniwant Makde, Mahadev Kamdi and Vedant Ghode worked for the festival.

Labourers working in the vegetable market on the Cotton Market premises, farmers who had come to sell vegetables in the morning and passers-by stopped with curiosity and witnessed the festival.