PANJIM/MARGAO/PONDA: Veteran freedom fighter Mohan Ranade, who played a key role in the Goa liberation movement, passed away on Tuesday morning, in Pune.
90-year-old Ranade, was ailing for some time and undergoing treatment at a hospital, where he expired at around 5.30 am. This was conveyed by his close associate, Bhai Tamhane, informed Goa-based historian Sanjiv Sardesai. His wife Vimal had passed away a few years ago and that they had no children.
“He was imprisoned in Portugal, from 1955 till 1969, after being wounded by a bullet in his stomach, while raiding the Betim Police Station. He was taken care of by a few close friends and he was recently hospitalized,” said Sanjeev.
As the news of his death spread across the State, various top political leaders offered their condolences.
Condoling Ranade’s death, CM Pramod Sawant, lauded his sacrifices for the State’s liberation. “Deeply saddened by the passing away of Mohan Ranade, a fearless freedom fighter who fought for the liberation of Goa. His sacrifices and struggles for Goa will never be forgotten,” Sawant tweeted.
“RIP Padmashri Mohan Ranade. One of the key figures in Goa’s liberation. Someone who spent 14 years in Portuguese prisons including 6 years in solitary confinement. History says his release was due to the intervention of the Pope at the prodding of former Tamil Nadu CM Annadurai,” Dy CM Vijai Sardesai tweeted.
“ Ranade played a key role in liberating Goa from 450 years of Portuguese rule. He will always remind Goans of patriotism,” said State Congress Chief Girish Chodankar
Former CM MLA Digambar Kamat via Facebook, expressed his sadness over the the demise of Ranade, calling him the hero and pillar of the freedom movement of Goa. “Ranade faced 14 years of imprisonment under the Portuguese rule of which he was forced to face solitary confinement for 6 years which is the worst of the imprisonments. When he was released the then CM of Tamilnadu Annadurai had asked for the intervention of the Pope after which he was released. He was not just a freedom fighter he was an important role player in the society of Goa pegging to which he was awarded Padmashri award in 2001,” said Kamat
Goa Suraksha Manch president Subash Velingkar also offered his condolences.
