Anand Dighe Biography

Anand Dighe also known as ‘Guruvarya Dharmaveer Anand Dighe Saheb’ was an Indian Politician and a renowned Shiv Sena Party Leader. Till his last days, he was known to be a staunch follower of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Hinduism, and Marathi Nationalism.

Table of Contents

Early Life

Aanand Dighe was born on 27 January 1951 in Tembhi Naka, Thane, Maharashtra to Chitamani Dighe. He also had a younger sister named Aruna Dighe. He was brought up in a simple Marathi family. During his growing years, Balasaheb Thackrey used to visit Thane and deliver motivational speeches that made Anand inclined toward social work and politics.

Career

Anand Dighe started his political career at the early age of 18 when he joined Shivsena as a “karyakarta”. Soon he rose to the prominent ranks in the Thakre family and was promoted from Vice-Taluka Head post to Zilla Head post. He was appointed as the party president in Thane district and where he became popular for conducting Durbar at his residence to help people mitigate the issues they face. Here he earned the famous name Dharamveer.

In the 1980s he started organizing Dahi Handi, Navratri Festival, and GaneshChaturthi festival making him a more popular figure among the people. He also helped to solve the Haji Malang Gad issue which was in National News at that time.

In the year 1989, Anand Dighe was accused to be involved in the murder of Shivsena party member Anand Khopkar and was arrested under TADA. Reportedly, Sridhar Khopkar went against party lines and voted for Congress in 1989. Later, Anand Dughe was released on bail.

Anand Dighe helped Shivsena establish strongholds in the regions of Thane, Palghar, Navi Mumbai, and Kalyan Dombivali. He never contested the elections himself but helped other capable leaders to rise and serve the people. Anand also worked with many National prominent leaders at that time including Lal Krishna Advani. He has also worked on many social issues with renowned social activist Anna Hazare.

Death

Anand Dighe died on 26th August 2001 at Sunitadevi Singhania Hospital in Thane. He was undergoing a battle for life after an accident at Vandana ST Bus Depot when he was returning from Ganpati Festival. The death was always rumored to be a part of the conspiracy and after his death, his ardent followers destroyed the hospital by arson. It was claimed by the hospital management that Anand Dighe died of a heart attack while receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the road accident.

Some More facts

On the personal front, too Anand Dighe worked hard to help people alleviate their socio-economic hurdles. He started an Ashram after his name called Anand Ashram where he would listen to the request and help needy people. Dighe was an ardent follower of Shiva and Hinduism. He was the first one to send a silver stone to Ram Mandir. Anand used to love to play carrom in his leisure time. He also has a hospital in Maharashtra’s Kalwa district named after him. Lately, his name was in news again last year when a Marathi film “Dharamveer” was released on 13 May 2022, based on Anand Dighe’s life.