Former Gujarat finance minister and farmers' right activist, Sanat Mehta died in Vadodara recently, following a cardiac arrest. He was hospitalised three months back due to heart-related problems, but resumed work after his health improved.
There was major confusion over the activist's death, after his son Sheetal shared news of his demise. Mehta was found breathing when he was brought home in an ambulance, and the doctors declared his condition as “improving”. However, he breathed his last later in the evening.
Born on April 18, 1925, in Jesar village of Bhavnagar district, Mehta participated in the country's freedom struggle, even going to jail during and after the movement. A veteran Congress leader, he was very critical of Narendra Modi government's pro-industry policies, calling them 'anti-farmers', as he vehemently fought for rights of agriculturists. He was the strong force behind Kanubhai Kalasaria's agitation against Nirma's cement plant, three years back, in Mahuva near Bhavnagar.
Sanat Mehta and wife Arunaben Nadkarni were close associates with Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice Editor and Publisher, C B Patel. Mehta and Patel knew each other since 1954, and were actively involved with the labour union. Mehta has visited Gujarat Samachar office in the UK and was also present at a function in Vadodara where C B Patel was honoured with an NRI award. The news of Mehta's passing away brought with it memories of a man who started off as a student leader, carving his niche to become a staunch farmers' activist.
