Baramati mourns Ajit Pawar’s death, thousands gather chanting ‘Dada, Dada’
Baramati has been plunged into deep grief following the sudden death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar. The city, considered his political stronghold, witnessed an overwhelming outpouring of emotion as thousands of party workers, supporters and local residents gathered to mourn their leader.
Large crowds assembled near the Punyeshlok Ahilyabai Holkar Government Medical College, where scenes of uncontrollable sobbing and grief were reported. People from nearby villages also began arriving in large numbers, swelling the crowds across the city. Many could be heard chanting “Give us back our Dada,” reflecting shock and disbelief over the tragedy.
As a mark of respect, several shops in Baramati remained voluntarily closed. The atmosphere across the town remained tense but peaceful, with grief dominating public spaces.
To maintain law and order amid the massive gathering, heavy police deployment was carried out across Baramati. Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill confirmed that the aircraft involved in the accident had suffered extensive damage. He said the bodies of Ajit Pawar and others present at the scene were shifted to the hospital for further procedures.
Due to the severity of the crash, officials said identification of the bodies was still underway. “The condition of the bodies is extremely critical. Technical investigations and identification procedures are being conducted at the fastest possible pace,” Gill said.
Despite the emotionally charged situation, police confirmed that no incidents of law and order disturbances had been reported so far. Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and have appealed to citizens to remain calm and cooperate with officials.
Baramati, long known for its unwavering support for Ajit Pawar, is witnessing one of the largest public expressions of grief in its history. The district administration has urged people to allow authorities to complete all necessary procedures related to the accident and identification of the victims.
VIDEO | Mortal remains of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar brought to Baramati Medical College following his demise along with five others in an aircraft crash. Visuals from outside the hospital.#AjitPawar
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/6wJrUWARCn
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Karnataka launches India’s first digital grievance system for gig workers
Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Karnataka government has launched a digital grievance redressal system for gig workers to provide structured support and protection to platform-based workers.
According to The Hindu, the system, developed by the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Board in collaboration with the Department of e-Governance, allows workers to file complaints through the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System (IPGRS).
Gig workers can raise issues related to pay, working conditions, and platform-specific disputes. Complaints will be routed to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committees (IDRCs) of respective platforms and are expected to be resolved within a defined timeframe. This is expected to bring transparency and legal recourse for a workforce that has so far operated without a formal dispute resolution framework.
Under The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act and Rules, every aggregator platform must constitute an Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC). Platforms such as Namma Yatri and Yulu have already integrated their IDRC contact details with the government portal.
Around 12 lakh gig workers have been identified in the state, and a unique identification system is being developed to remove duplicate entries. Officials said welfare schemes are also being designed based on type of work, working hours, and contribution.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said that Karnataka, technology capital of the country, is leveraging this potential for worker welfare as well. “By launching this system, we are ensuring that the gig economy is no longer an informal space, but a structured one where every worker’s voice is heard,” he said.
“The schemes will vary based on the type of platforms. For example, cab rides are mostly undertaken by men whereas urban domestic activity is undertaken mostly by women. It may also be based on the contribution made, and the quantum of gig work done by a gig worker. Some gig workers work for more than eight hours while some may work on a few gigs. So, work load, nature of work, and time period of work could vary,” TH quoted G. Manjunath, Additional Labour Commissioner and CEO of the Board as saying.
“It has to be scientifically structured based on their effort and labour. We are working with experts, including academicians from Briston University, King’s College, and IISc, and other stake holders, including board members,” he said.
Officials added that aggregator platforms will be required to contribute 1 per cent towards worker welfare, with implementation beginning July 5.
