Maharashtra Bhushan row: Was historian honoured just for being old?

Document reveals that Babasaheb Purandare’s advanced age was one of the main factors considered when he was chosen as the recipient of state’s most coveted award

Last year, it was a controversy over caste. This year, it’s over age. Nearly a year after noted literary figure Babasaheb Purandare was presented with the Maharashtra Bhushan, his selection is once again at the centre of a controversy after it was revealed that the state’s most coveted award may have gone to Purandare because of his age. The noted historical writer and playwright is 93 years old.

A file picture of Babasaheb Purandare at the award ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in October last year

This came to light in the state Assembly, after Congress MLA Nitesh Rane brought a copy of the minutes of meeting where Purandare was selected as the recipient of the award. The minutes clearly recount how panelists such as Ujjwal Nikam, Dilip Vengsarkar and Rajeev Khandekar put more emphasis on age during the selection process (see ‘Defending the decision’).

mid-day contacted all three panelists to ask them why they considered age to be a bigger factor than the achievements of a nominee. Ujjwal Nikam told this reporter, “Whatever was discussed is in the minutes of meeting, age was not only the factor for the award.” He then added, “You are not supposed to ask me such queries.”

While Rajeev Khandekar’s phone was unavailable, Dilip Vengsarkar only said, “I do not want to comment anything or confirm anything.”

However, fellow panelist Vasudeo Kamat confirmed that the age discussion had indeed taken place, and justified the final decision saying it was more meaningful to honour a person in their lifetime.

“The minutes of the meeting clearly shows that, age was the biggest criteria for the award. There are many loopholes in the award,” said Congress MLA Nitesh Rane, who had also questioned in the house as to why the document had not been signed by the chief minister or cultural minister.

This paper also tried contacting Purandare, but his personal assistant said the 93-year-old was in hospital for some treatment.

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