Freedom fighter Acharya Shantaram Garud passes away in Kolhapur

Freedom fighter and writer Acharya Shantaram Garud passed away due to old-age related illness in Ichalkaranji near Kolhapur this morning.

He was 84 and a bachelor, said sources in a social organisation founded by him.

Born at Masur in Satara district, Garud took part in the freedom struggle, Samyukta Maharashtra and Goa liberation movements. He was jailed during the 1975-77 Emergency.

He came to Ichalkaranji to fight for the rights of powerloom workers. Garud founded an organisation, Samajwadi Prabodhini, in 1977 for spreading awareness about scientific socialism, and settled in Ichalkaranji.

He was also a political thinker and writer. He wrote a novel, Krantikari Kaffallak, his autobiography Mazi Kranti Karyachi Sadhana and over 250 booklets on various topics.

Garud was honoured with various awards for his service to the society.