A few leaders have left a lasting mark on Maharashtra’s political and social landscape. Among them, former Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik is remembered with great respect. He is the only leader in Maharashtra to have served as Chief Minister for nearly eleven and a half years. This long tenure is often described as the “Golden Era” in the state’s history. Because of his vision and tireless work, Maharashtra achieved remarkable progress in agriculture, industry, and social development. Vasantrao was not just a politician; he was an agriculture-loving social reformer, a farsighted administrator, and a true servant of democracy. His birth anniversary, 1st July, is celebrated as Krishi Din (Agriculture Day) in Maharashtra. This itself is a symbol of his extraordinary contribution to the agricultural sector.

Vasantrao was born on 1 July 1913 in Gahuli, a village near Pusad in Yavatmal district. He belonged to the Banjara community. Historically, this was a nomadic tribe that the British had unjustly labelled as a “criminal tribe” under the 1871 Criminal Tribes Act. In such harsh social and economic conditions, his father Phulsing Naik, who was the head (nayak) of a Banjara tanda, worked hard to promote education in the community and to remove blind faith and harmful customs.

Realizing the value of education, Phulsing sent his two sons—Rajusing (Baba) and Hajusing (Vasantrao, affectionately called Chote Baba)—to nearby towns to study. Vasantrao faced many difficulties while receiving his early education. He eventually passed his matriculation from Neelcity High School in Nagpur. He completed his B.A. from Morris College (now Vasantrao Naik College) and earned an LL.B. from Nagpur Law College in 1940. After becoming a lawyer, he returned to Pusad to practise. He used his legal knowledge to help the poor. He never took money from poor clients; in fact, he often paid their travel expenses himself. He also advised people to avoid unnecessary disputes and stay away from courts.

A major example of his reform-oriented thinking was his inter-caste marriage with Vatsala Ghate. She belonged to a well-educated Brahmin family, and both families strongly opposed their marriage. But Vasantrao’s calm, loving, and wise personality slowly won everyone over. He worked continuously to reform the Banjara community by fighting blind faith, addiction to alcohol, and harmful customs related to women’s clothing and lifestyle. He firmly believed that “education is the key to change.” He started residential schools (ashram schools) for children from tribal and nomadic communities. These schools provided free food, shelter, educational materials, and healthcare. Because of his relentless efforts, the Banjara community received “Vimukta Jati” reservation, giving them access to higher education and government jobs. Hence, he is remembered as the “Father of Reservation for Nomadic and Denotified Tribes.”

Vasantrao’s political journey began in 1942 when he joined the Congress during the Quit India Movement. Gandhi’s speeches had made a deep impression on him. As President of the Pusad Taluka Congress Committee and later as the President of Pusad Municipality from October 1946 to January 1952, he worked actively for the town’s development. He established Bapu Balak Mandir, a primary school, set up the grain market, and opened a school for Dalit children. During his tenure, he played a major role—along with Padmashree Ramsinghji Bhanawat—in getting the British Criminal Tribes Act abolished. Through the Banjara Seva Sangh, he met leaders like Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Dr. Ambedkar to press this demand. The Act was finally repealed on 31 August 1952, a day now observed as Vimukt Din.

In 1952, he became the Deputy Minister for Revenue in the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet. After the formation of the bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956, he briefly served as Cooperation Minister and, in 1957, became the Agriculture Minister. In this role, he implemented numerous schemes for farmers: subsidies for well-digging, loans for pumps, rural electrification, construction of tanks, and the “Farm Water Conservation” scheme. He also actively supported Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement.

On 5 December 1963, Vasantrao took oath as the third Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He stepped into the role at a time of political uncertainty, following the 1962 Indo-China war and the central government’s decision to move Yashwantrao Chavan to Delhi as Defence Minister. During his long tenure, Maharashtra faced many challenges: the Indo-China war, the devastating Koyna earthquake, food shortages, inflation, the severe 1972 drought, and various agitations. Vasantrao faced all these with composure. Standing at Pune’s Shaniwarwada, he made a bold pledge: “I will make Maharashtra self-sufficient in food grains. If I fail, punish me.” His efforts led to a Green Revolution in Maharashtra. He established Mahabeej (State Seed Corporation), promoted irrigation projects, built dams, introduced the H-4 cotton seed variety, and founded four agricultural universities: Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, and Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth.

His contribution extended beyond agriculture. As Chairman of the Naik Committee on Democratic Decentralisation, he strengthened the Panchayati Raj system. Accepting the recommendations of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee, he ensured that elected representatives would head district councils. This empowered rural citizens, and local self-government institutions gained administrative and financial freedom. He also established CIDCO, laying the foundation for the planned development of Navi Mumbai and Aurangabad.

The drought of 1972 was the biggest test of his leadership. He introduced the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) to ensure “work for every willing hand.” Maharashtra became the first state in India to launch such a programme. Later, this model inspired the national Jawahar Employment Guarantee Scheme. The EGS saved millions from starvation. Significantly, he involved opposition leaders in mobilising funds, and the United Nations even acknowledged the scheme. To strengthen allied sectors, he also promoted the White Revolution by encouraging cross-bred cattle and boosting the dairy industry.

Vasantrao’s personality was as impressive as his work. He was known as an ajātashatru—a man without enemies. He maintained warm, respectful relations even with opposition leaders such as Jambuvantrao Dhote, Mrinal Gore, Bapusaheb Kaldate, and Ganpatrao Deshmukh. His simplicity and humility made him popular among ordinary people. Even as Chief Minister, he visited farmers’ homes, listened to their problems, and helped them. Once, while still Chief Minister, he personally lit a villager’s bidi with his own matchbox—an incident that reflects his simplicity and human touch. He never misused power, and no allegations were ever proven against him. His public life remained spotless.

In 1975, he resigned from the post of Chief Minister and accepted it gracefully. In the 1977 Lok Sabha elections—when the Congress suffered a huge defeat nationwide due to the Emergency—Vasantrao won from the Washim constituency with a large majority. This showed his immense popularity and the faith people had in him. He was offered the posts of Vice President and Governor, but he declined both, as he had no desire for power.

Vasantrao Naik passed away on 18 August 1979 in Singapore after a severe heart attack. His death cast a shadow of grief over Maharashtra, especially on the Banjara community.

Prithviraj Chavan described him as a “revolutionary,” and Sharad Pawar called him the leader who placed the “crowning peak on modern, progressive Maharashtra.” His work was not limited to the state; he offered the nation pioneering ideas such as the Employment Guarantee Scheme. He gave a drought-prone Maharashtra a dream of greenery—and turned it into reality. His life and work remain shining examples of dedication, vision, and public service. His contribution to Maharashtra’s development is truly priceless and unforgettable.