Kalawati Bandurkar is an Indian farmer who became viral, initially in 2008 when Rahul Gandhi visited her house, and again in 2023 when Amit Shah mentioned her name during a speech in the Indian Parliament.
Wiki/Biography
Kalawati Bandurkar (also spelt as Kalavati Bandurkar) was born in 1956 (age 67 years; as of 2023) in Maharashtra, India. After her marriage, she settled down in Jalna village in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, India. She often takes agricultural lands on rent and does farming on them.
Kalawati Bandurkar working in her field
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx.): 50 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
She belongs to a family of farmers.
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about her parents and siblings.
Husband & Children
Her husband’s name was Parshuram Bandurkar who was a farmer, and he committed suicide on 23 December 2005 as he was unable to pay back Rs 1 lakh debt.
A photo of Kalawati Bandurkar’s husband, Parshuram Bandurkar
She had 9 children including 7 daughters and 2 sons. Four of her daughters are Sonia Bandurkar, Sangeeta Kadaskar, Savita Khamankar (committed suicide in 2011 by setting herself on fire), and Papita Ramteke who tried to commit suicide in June 2018 by jumping in a well. One of her sons died in an accident, and the other son is named Pritam Bandurkar.
Kalawati Bandurkar with her children
Kalawati Bandurkar with her daughter, Sonia Bandurkar (left), and son, Pritam Bandurkar (right)
Other Relatives
One of her sons-in-law, Sanjay Kadaskar, worked as a part-time farmer and auto driver, committed suicide in December 2010.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit in 2008
Kalawati Bandurkar became famous in May 2008 when famous Indian politician Rahul Gandhi visited her house and ate dinner at her home. He also mentioned her name during his speech in parliament in 2009. Following this, many NGOs and farmer organisations came in her support. Sulanh International, an NGO headed by Bindeshwar Pathak, created a Fixed Deposit (FD) of Rs 30 Lakhs in the Maragaon branch of the Central Bank of India. She regularly receives an interest of around Rs 25,000 per month from this account.
Rahul Gandhi at Kalawati Bandurkar’s house in May 2008
Kalawati Bandurkar’s house in Jalna, Yavatmal
Political Aspirations
Kalawati was backed by Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) to participate in politics to improve the condition of her area, and she even filed nominations for the 2009 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Wani constituency; however, she later withdrew her nominations, citing her poor health as a reason. VJAS head Kishor Tiwari said that her son-in-law had threatened her of committing suicide if she contested the elections. Tiwari also said that Kalawati was pressurised by Congress workers to withdraw.
Facts/Trivia
- On 9 August 2023, Indian Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Amit Shah mentioned Kalawati Bandurkar during his Lok Sabha speech and took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi by saying that it was the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who helped Kalawati by providing her house, cylinder and other necessary things, not Rahul.
- She also took part in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022.
Kalawati Bandurkar (in red saree) with Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra