The Pune–Solapur highway which usually experiences continuous traffic and roadside dining and commercial activities became completely empty at 2 pm on Wednesday. The area displayed total emptiness with all shops closed and all streets empty. The Urulikanchan area displayed a massive black-and-white billboard which showed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s photo as a reminder of the national tragedy which occurred earlier that day.
The highway to Baramati required drivers to complete a 35-kilometer journey through newly constructed streets which featured pink bougainvillea flowers. The town at the end of that road felt unrecognisable because it displayed total silence and stillness while its residents showed deep sadness.
The toll gate remained open without any staff members present. Every establishment was shut. All traffic moved in one direction—to the Vidya Pratishthan college grounds, where thousands gathered to pay their final respects to the leader fondly known as “Ajit Dada”.
The Pawar family’s political base in Baramati extended to all the college grounds which turned into an area for their supporters to gather. The three groups of party workers and local residents and supporters of the deceased politician who people considered a native son and strong leader and independent political thinker came together to express their mourning.
The grounds could not accommodate the increasing number of people who attended the event because of its limited size. JCB machines arranged large cement blocks to prepare the funeral platform scheduled for Thursday. White canopies awaited a large portrait of Pawar, while garlands and flowers arrived steadily.
Tears flowed freely.
Nothing left, just like the highly anxious ex-mayor Mangala Kadam. What is left now? He was my leader and mentor. I worked with him from 1992 until today. Maharashtra has lost something irreplaceable.”
Nileema Gujar, secretary of Vidya Pratishthan, recalled her last interaction with Pawar during industrialist Gautam Adani’s visit in December to inaugurate an AI laboratory. “He always led from the front,” she said.
Several leaders on stage struggled to compose themselves. The chairperson of Maharashtra State Women’s Commission Rupali Chakankar displayed her distressing state through her silent standing position while the audience waited for the body to be brought to the event.
For Baramati residents, the loss felt deeply personal.
“Baramati has been orphaned,” said Amit Dhalpe, a bank employee. “We travelled across Maharashtra with pride, saying we are Baramatikars. That pride feels hollow today. We initially hoped Dada was injured. When we learnt the truth, everything stopped. We have not consumed any food since we ate breakfast this morning.
The crowd continued to expand during the passing hours. The barricades faced excessive pressure which led police officers to use loudspeakers for their second request to the public to remain peaceful. Police officers used Pawar’s name as an authority figure to establish order by saying Indiscipline would not be accepted by Dada.
Parth Pawar, Pawar’s son, checked event arrangements while receiving condolences from party leaders and workers.
The Pawar family members started their arrival at the evening time. NCP leader Supriya Sule escorted Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, onto the stage. She greeted the mourners with folded hands while political leaders and dignitaries entered the stage area. The outside area of the event space featured a band which played a slow and mournful tune while phone flashlights created illumination in the darkening sky.
A hearse drove a few kilometres away from the hospital with Ajit Pawar’s body which passed through the brightly lit streets of Baramati before arriving at the college grounds at 7.30 pm. The town echoed with shouts of “Ajit Pawar amar rahein.”
NCP workers formed a line to honor the deceased body which had been placed on the stage while wearing the party’s clock symbol shirts. Time appeared to stop in Baramati because timepieces continued to tick but time itself did not progress.
