G R Khairnar
Encyclopedia
Govind Ragho Khairnar is a former civil servant in Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation who rose from the rank of Clerk to Deputy Commissioner. He was known for his uprightness and fearlessness while carrying out his duties in the face of political opposition. He was brought to trial for supposed insubordination and heavy handedness but was cleared of these charges. He is still hailed as a hero of the middle-class Indian.
when he demolished "Step In", a hotel run by the CM's son Chandrakant. In 1988 he became a Deputy Commissioner in BMC. In 1993 he took on the then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar
calling him corrupt and unethical. In 1994 he was suspended after an inquiry committee headed by a High Court judge found him guilty of various charges including over-stepping of authority and specifically of making "willful mistatements". In 1995 the Bhartiya Janta Party and Shiv-Sena combine take up Khairnar's cause in the run up to elections and managed to wipe out the Congress. The High Court passed judgement ordering reinstallation of Khairnar, but the new government refuses to comply. In 1995 he joined hands with Anna Hazare to fight for his cause. In 1997 he won a case against BMC alleging that he had been unjustly suspended due to political pressure. Despite this he was not fully awarded the court's mandate until 2000 when he was reinstated as the Deputy Commissioner.
While the suspension was being contested in court, Khairnar was variously harassed; he was even asked to vacate his house of 15 years to make way for a swimming pool superintendent.
From 2000 up until 2002 Khairnar once again lived up to the title of "One Man Demolition Army" by fighting back land mafias and clearing public land of encroachments, even suffering injuries in doing so. In 2002, the then Municipal Commissioner V. Ranganathan did not extend the retirement age of Khairnar and he had to retire. The popular opinon was that the then Mayor Hareshwar Patil of the Shiv Sena was against continuation of Khairnar's services
In an ironic turn of events, upon his retirement, his position of Deputy Commissioner (Special - Demolitions) was temporarily handed to Chandrashekhar Rokde, the IPS officer who had served him eviction notice during his suspension. The permanent successor, Kalam Patil, was caught red handed by the ACB accepting an INR 750,000 bribe and while under investigation, was appointed MSRDC Commercial Officer as well as PRO.
Although he first followed Anna Hazare
for guidance in social work, he later found Hazare to be too politically aligned for his liking and set off independently. Khairnar was known for rescuing minor girls from human trafficking and prostitution. He used eunuchs to rescue minor girls from Kamathipura
, a red light district in Mumbai. This was an innovative spin on the practice of loan collection agents to send eunuchs to debtors' homes in order to embarrass them into repaying debts.
Khairnar later took up living in Bibipura village in Sabarkhata District, 70 km from Ahmedabad, working on a few development projects in rural Gujarat, funded by a US-based non-governmental organisation. While in Gujarat his health suffered a setback due to his experiments with naturopathy and thereby lacking essential salts in his body.
Early life
He was born in the family of a farmer on 14 April 1942. He had twin elder brothers who tended to the family farming while his father became a middle man for local produce. Khairnar graduated from Bhikusa Yamasa Kshatriya College of Commerce, Nasik, Maharashtra studying in Marathi medium, which later led to difficulties with English. He graduated with honors and was awarded "ideal student" award from the college. While at the college he also participated in National Cadet Corps.With BMC
In 1974 he joined the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as accounts officer. In 1985 as a ward officer he took on then chief minister Vasantdada PatilVasantdada Patil
Vasantdada Patil was an Indian politician from Sangli, Maharashtra. He was known as the first modern Maratha strongman and first mass leader in Maharashtra's politics....
when he demolished "Step In", a hotel run by the CM's son Chandrakant. In 1988 he became a Deputy Commissioner in BMC. In 1993 he took on the then Chief Minister Sharad Pawar
Sharad Pawar
Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar , popularly known as SAHEB , is the president of the Nationalist Congress Party which he founded in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress...
calling him corrupt and unethical. In 1994 he was suspended after an inquiry committee headed by a High Court judge found him guilty of various charges including over-stepping of authority and specifically of making "willful mistatements". In 1995 the Bhartiya Janta Party and Shiv-Sena combine take up Khairnar's cause in the run up to elections and managed to wipe out the Congress. The High Court passed judgement ordering reinstallation of Khairnar, but the new government refuses to comply. In 1995 he joined hands with Anna Hazare to fight for his cause. In 1997 he won a case against BMC alleging that he had been unjustly suspended due to political pressure. Despite this he was not fully awarded the court's mandate until 2000 when he was reinstated as the Deputy Commissioner.
While the suspension was being contested in court, Khairnar was variously harassed; he was even asked to vacate his house of 15 years to make way for a swimming pool superintendent.
From 2000 up until 2002 Khairnar once again lived up to the title of "One Man Demolition Army" by fighting back land mafias and clearing public land of encroachments, even suffering injuries in doing so. In 2002, the then Municipal Commissioner V. Ranganathan did not extend the retirement age of Khairnar and he had to retire. The popular opinon was that the then Mayor Hareshwar Patil of the Shiv Sena was against continuation of Khairnar's services
In an ironic turn of events, upon his retirement, his position of Deputy Commissioner (Special - Demolitions) was temporarily handed to Chandrashekhar Rokde, the IPS officer who had served him eviction notice during his suspension. The permanent successor, Kalam Patil, was caught red handed by the ACB accepting an INR 750,000 bribe and while under investigation, was appointed MSRDC Commercial Officer as well as PRO.
Post BMC
During his suspension from BMC, he wrote his autobiography Zunj Ekaki (The Lonely Fighter) in Marathi in 1995.Although he first followed Anna Hazare
Anna Hazare
Kisan Baburao Hazare , popularly known as Anna Hazare is an Indian social activist and a prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi...
for guidance in social work, he later found Hazare to be too politically aligned for his liking and set off independently. Khairnar was known for rescuing minor girls from human trafficking and prostitution. He used eunuchs to rescue minor girls from Kamathipura
Kamathipura
Kamathipura is Mumbai's oldest and Asia's largest red-light district . It was first settled after 1795 with the construction of various causeways that connected the erstwhile seven islands of Bombay, initially known as Lal Bazaar, it got its name from the Kamathis of Andhra Pradesh state, who as...
, a red light district in Mumbai. This was an innovative spin on the practice of loan collection agents to send eunuchs to debtors' homes in order to embarrass them into repaying debts.
Khairnar later took up living in Bibipura village in Sabarkhata District, 70 km from Ahmedabad, working on a few development projects in rural Gujarat, funded by a US-based non-governmental organisation. While in Gujarat his health suffered a setback due to his experiments with naturopathy and thereby lacking essential salts in his body.