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Vilas Hari Rupawate
Personal details
Born	(1967-03-16)16 March 1967 Mumbai
Political party	Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (since 2023)
Spouse	Sangita Rupawate
Children	2
Occupation	Social worker
Website	vilasrupawate.com

Vilas Rupawate (born 16 March 1967) is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra, working for the betterment of Dalits, devadasis and widows. In 2011, he joined the Indian National Congress.

He became the General Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee in January 2013, Rupawate became President of Nirathar Nirashrit Vyakti Vikas Vibhag under the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee on 25 September 2011.

Rupawate is founder of "Vilasbhau Rupwate Pratishthaan", which works with "Maharashtra Niraadhar Mahila Sanghatana" and "Maharashtra Devdasi Mahila Sanghatana". These organizations provide facilities for widows and devadasis. The group had organized a raasta roko protest at Kasarwadi near Pimpri-Chinchwad in June 2009.

Now, Vilas Rupawate holds the position of coordinator at Shivsena Udhav Balasaheb Thakary Party, actively involved in working across Maharashtra. His role encompasses fostering unity and collaboration among people throughout the state, with a focus on the collective well-being of all individuals in Maharashtra.</ref>

More Info in Details

Since 1995, she has been working for vulnerable components.

In 2014, the late Lata Tai Sathe received the Sakata Award from the Maharashtra government, along with a cash prize of one lakh rupees and a symbol of honor.

She has been honored with awards from various organizations such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahir Annabhau Sathe, Savitribai Phule, and Lata Tai Sathe Diverse Organization Award.

Positions held: - Member of the Shiv Sena organization (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) - President of the Maharashtra Unsupported Devadasi Women's Organization - President of All India Blue Tiger - President of the Vulnerable Component Front - Former Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee - Former Secretary of the Mumbai Congress Committee - Former President of the Unsupported and Disappointed Individual Development Department

• Mata Ramabai Ambedkar, in the Nagar Ghatkopar Vilas Rupwate office, daily provides food to hundreds of elderly, unsupported, and poor citizens. Through a trust, she has also initiated a health clinic benefitting the extremely poor population.

• On November 25, 2008, she organized Diwali celebrations at the homes of 3,000 devadasis, widows, unsupported individuals, those facing discrimination, women engaged in household work, and transgender individuals. This initiative involved distributing one kilogram each of oil, sugar, flour, semolina, and other essentials to the homes of vulnerable individuals.

• In 1982, at the age of 14, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University conferred a degree to her during the Long March. She participated in a day-long protest at Azad Maidan, Killa Kot Lockup, along with Professor Shri Jogendra Kawade, journalist Divakar Shejwal, and journalist Anand Shinde.

• Working with the Indian Dalit Panther from the age of 18 to 24, she contributed alongside Saheb Barobar.

• Vilas Rupwate works for all religious citizens, providing economic assistance to Buddhist viharas, Hindu temples, mosques, gurudwaras, churches, and other religious places. She has also provided financial support during the celebrations of all great personalities and festivals like Ganpati Bappa and Dahihandi.

• She has extended financial help to patients suffering from cancer, kidney issues, heart diseases, and accidents.

• Guiding thousands of offenders onto the right path, she has become a respected figure in society.

• She provided business opportunities, employment, and jobs to young men.

• Vilas Rupwate organized blood donation camps, medical camps, eye check-up camps, cataract surgery camps, distributed grinding machines, and met with various groups like the blind, disabled, devadasis, and widowed women, providing financial assistance for employment.

• During the Kargil war, she supported the families of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives with financial aid through Chief Minister Narayan Rane's fund.

• Vilas Rupwate exposed a blood bank racket, saving thousands of lives, and observed a six-day hunger strike for various civic amenities.

• In 2010, she observed a four-day hunger strike in the Azad Maidan police custody lockup for vulnerable components.

• Vilas Rupwate spearheaded the campaign for drug-free society, advocating for awareness and took a stand against addiction.

• Widows, victims of discrimination, unsupported individuals, (devadasis, worshipers, jogatis, Vaghya Murali, Potraj), women engaged in household work, sex workers, Tutiya Panthi, blind, disabled, Bona, Mandmati, Fasi Pardi, tribal, Naka Kamgar, Asha Vari, vulnerable, socially deprived, oppressed - for the justice and attention of these vulnerable components, hundreds of morchas were organized in various districts and talukas of Maharashtra. Despite these efforts, the government did not pay attention, leading to the declaration of an uprising by the women of the organization on August 15, 2010. The government's apathy towards their demands led the women to conduct a historic agitation by removing their clothes and declaring "Inqilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution). Even though the movement did not lead to India gaining independence on that day, it gained international attention, with coverage by International BBC News. The historic agitation was staged in front of numerous ministries, with Vilas Rupwate and thousands of women filing numerous complaints. Rupwate and other women were not only charged with serious offenses but also faced police brutality, including beatings in jail.

• On June 22, 2010, a statewide protest was organized across Maharashtra, blocking 30 railway stations, disrupting traffic on 18 roads, damaging 40 buses, and blackening the faces of 12 tehsildars' offices. Women infiltrated the legislative assembly convention, resulting in the filing of charges against 2,000 women out of the 20,000 participating in the movement. Vilas Rupwate faced numerous charges during this agitation.

• In 2009, an unprecedented gathering of lakhs of women took place at Dadar Shivaji Park in Mumbai, organized by Vilas Rupwate along with Lata Tai Sathe. Thousands marched in Azad Maidan during the historic event.

• A massive gathering also took place at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, where Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and all ministers were present.

• Vilas Rupwate worked for the Maharashtra government, advocating for vulnerable components.

• Posthumously, Lata Tai Sathe was honored by the Maharashtra government, receiving a personal award of one lakh rupees and contributing fifty thousand rupees to two social organizations.

• For the marriage of devadasi women, a reward of fifty thousand rupees is provided.

• Senior citizens working in household chores for 60 years receive a lump sum of 10,000 rupees.

• Widows and unsupported women, who were initially receiving 100 rupees, now receive 1,500, benefiting thousands.

• Thousands of yellow ration cards were distributed to widowed women.

• Sex workers living on the streets in Mumbai were provided with ration and voting cards.

• Abandoned children and women, under the name of devadasis, were stopped from being separated.

• In 2012, a Freedom Trust was established for the transgender community, providing aid amounting to two lakhs.
• In 2019, at the Pavwala State Simple Building on Mumbai's Grand Road, the police conducted a raid, led by D.C.P. Karandikar, on 75 homes of sex workers, resulting in extensive vandalism and looting, amounting to crores of rupees. When the incident came to the attention of the Chief Secretary Bhushan Gagrani, a complaint was filed with the Pune CID, under the supervision of CID Commissioner Atul Kulkarni.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, local trains were started for women's transportation.

• On December 6, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the railway services were resumed to allow citizens to pay homage to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Day, Vilas Rupwate faced charges for participating in the event.

• In response to the COVID-19 crisis, ration was distributed to hundreds of citizens who had no money for expenses, using Google Pay for assistance.

• To boost the immunity of citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ayurvedic pills were distributed door-to-door.

• As a result of Vilas Rupwate's agitation, the Maharashtra government is currently implementing various new schemes for women.

• Despite facing numerous challenges from the government departments and personal difficulties for raising his voice against injustice, Vilas Rupwate has persisted in his fight, and the government has caused considerable trouble for his family. Despite this, Vilas Rupwate continues his struggle.

• In 2009, Vilas Rupwate, along with Latatai Sakat, faced a major accident resulting in severe injuries to Vilas Rupwate's hands, shattered leg bones, and a fractured face. Despite these injuries, Vilas Rupwate quickly recovered, inspired by the blessings of the underprivileged, and soon stood up for the struggle again.

• Vilas Rupwate's demands are yet to be fulfilled by the Maharashtra government. The proposals are as follows:

  1. Devadasi, widow, and widow-parity freedom organization.
  2. In 1994, a survey was conducted through the government to examine the condition of Devadasis. Due to errors in the survey, a re-survey should be conducted on the same ground.
  3. Provide a permanent monthly allowance of 5000 rupees to widowed women.
  4. Cancel the verification process in the Indira Awaas Yojana (Housing Scheme for the Homeless).
  5. Provide homes to the transgender community through government channels.
  6. Senior citizens engaged in housework should receive a monthly stipend of 5000 rupees.
  7. Grant legal permits to sex workers, and similarly, senior citizens should receive 5000 rupees per month once they reach that status.

• Protesting against international companies like Google, an agitation was carried out in 2015 to feature a photo of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Google Doodle on April 14th, his birth anniversary.

• In the Marathi book "Marathi Iyatta Sahavichi Pustika," Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth date was mistakenly mentioned as April 4th. The organizing committee, in opposition to the compilation, sought forgiveness and corrected the birthdate to April 14th through a campaign, distributing lakhs of booklets.

• Shahir Sachin Mali, as a protest against the harassment of the poet, observed a hunger strike and performed a sit-in on Azad Maidan.

• In Ghatkopar, at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, a half statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was taken from Gurudas Kamat's workshop, and an agitation was carried out against this act. The statue, measuring 13 feet, was retrieved through the protest.
• Vilas Rupwate, a third-party candidate in the Lok Sabha elections, stood up for the representation of vulnerable factors such as the disabled, widows, and devadasi women, raising their voices in governance and society.

• In 2010, Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena party, personally offered candidacy to Vilas Rupwate at the Sena Bhavan, but due to the impact of Vilas Rupwate's stroke, the alliance did not materialize.

• In 2014, Vilas Rupwate had several political opportunities, receiving calls from the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and Shri Amit Shah. Additionally, Shri Devendra Fadnavis personally met him, offering candidacy and support.

• Vilas Rupwate was offered the candidacy for the Ghatkopar West constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Mr. Raj Thackeray. However, Vilas Rupwate declined the candidacy, leading to the meeting of Ram Kadam with Mr. Raj Thackeray for the Ghatkopar West candidacy. During the meeting, Mr. Raj Thackeray expressed to Vilas Rupwate, "Sahib, I do not expect anything from you. In your speeches, please address the issues of the weak, oppressed, suffering, and deprived." He further added, "When Raj Thackeray spoke about Vilas Rupwate in front of me, he said that he is the first leader who asks for things for the people, not for himself, and he praised Vilas Rupwate for taking pride in being close to him."

• Vilas Rupwate placed his trust in the Congress, but he was betrayed when the Congress was in power in 2009 and 2010. During that time, Vilas Rupwate actively participated in protests against the government. When the Congress party confronted Vilas Rupwate, they warned him, saying, "Don't become someone who asks; become someone who gives. We will give you the opportunity to work for the poor." Despite the Congress fulfilling the request of the late Lata Tai Sakat, Vilas Rupwate was given the chance to work in the government.

• In 2022, when Honorable Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister, the thought crossed my mind that he rose to the position despite facing betrayal from traitors. During the time when Honorable Uddhav Thackeray served as the Chief Minister amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, saving the lives of the people of Maharashtra, the power-hungry BJP and Shinde, lured by authority, toppled the government. Although I joined the Shiv Sena with no expectations of obtaining a significant position, I did not harbor any desire to exploit the situation. However, Honorable Uddhav Thackeray, acknowledging my dedication, appointed me to an important role within the Shiv Sena organization without seeking a prominent party position.

Now, my sole aim is to work tirelessly day and night to see Honorable Uddhavji Balasaheb Thackeray become the Chief Minister once again.