Pune Traders Close Shops in Mourning for Ajit Pawar's Sudden Demise
Pune: The city of Pune wore an unusually subdued look in the aftermath of the sudden demise of Deputy Chief Minister and district guardian minister Ajit Pawar. Traders across the city, under the Federation of Trade Associations of Pune, observed a bandh on Thursday. The closure reflected not only compliance but a profound sense of shock and mourning in the trading community.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, 66, died around 8:44 AM on Wednesday when a private jet carrying him and four others crashed near Baramati airport, about 100 km from Pune. Bustling with customers bargaining, vendors shouting prices, and vehicles crawling in traffic, these commercial stretches—like Tilak Road and Laxmi Road—generally define Pune's daily rhythm. On Thursday, however, they projected a contrasting image of silence and stillness.
“The news of the sudden and untimely demise of Ajitdada was extremely painful and shocking. A dedicated, strong, and influential leader, who worked tirelessly for public service, has now left us. His passing would be an irreparable loss for the trading community of Pune and Maharashtra. On this sorrowful occasion, the Pune Vyapari Mahasangh would express its heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters,” Fatehchand Ranka, president of the Federation of Trade Associations of Pune, told TOI.
Ranka also recalled Ajit Pawar's engagement with the business community over the years. “In his public life, Ajitdada consistently worked for the development of the state, strengthening administrative efficiency, and addressing the concerns of business and trading communities with a positive approach. His contribution towards infrastructure development, economic growth, and the protection of traders' interests in Pune city and district would always be remembered,” he said.
For many traders, the decision to keep their shutters down was emotional rather than symbolic. Shrikant Tiwari, a cloth merchant from Laxmi Road, said, “Today it did not feel right to open our shops. This was our way of showing respect and sharing the grief.” A few exceptions highlighted the practical challenges of a complete shutdown. On Tilak Road, a laptop repair shop kept its shutters half open for around two hours. “I had scheduled repair pick-ups. I only opened briefly to hand over repaired laptops and then shut again. Business would happen every day, but it could wait today. Today was about paying respects,” said Nilesh Pawar, an employee at the shop.
As the city woke up on Thursday, the bandh altered its movement. Stretches such as FC Road, which are usually traffic-choked, witnessed fewer vehicular movements. Apart from the shops, schools and colleges also remained closed. Shruti Kulkarni, a college student who was walking down FC Road with her friends, said, “Pune felt empty on days like this. You would realize how alive the city usually is only when everything suddenly goes silent.”
Ajit Pawar's legacy in Pune and Maharashtra is marked by his tireless efforts in public service and his commitment to the development and well-being of the community. His sudden passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill, and the city's response is a testament to the respect and affection he commanded.
