People's Democracy

AIDWA Condoles Comrade Pandhe’s Demise

THE All India Democratic Women’s Association expresses its deep sorrow over the passing away of Comrade M K Pandhe, veteran leader of the working class and of the CITU on August 20, 2011. AIDWA has lost a staunch supporter who was committed to the struggle for gender justice and working women’s rights. Comrade Pandhe played a leading role in ensuring that the CITU organised women workers especially in the unorganised sector. The strong unions of anganwadi workers, ASHA workers etc that have been so prominent in recent working class struggles owe much to the support that they received from Comrade Pandhe. In the organised sector, he always emphasised the importance of taking up women’s issues, and the crucial role he played in the struggle of air hostesses against gender discrimination can never be forgotten.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, and lifelong partner, Pramila Pandhe, who has been a communist leader for many decades and has contributed greatly to the AIDWA and the women’s movement.  We extend our condolence to the bereaved family members.  

We pledge to carry on the struggle for worker’s rights and revolutionary social change to which Comrade Pandhe dedicated his entire life.