As soon as the news of sad demise of M G Vaidya spread, condolences started pouring in. Dignitaries from various sections of society mourned the demise of the veteran thinker-writer-journalist.

Dr Manmohan Vaidya, Sah-Sarkaryavah of RSS and son of M G Vaidya, tweeted, “Shri MG Vaidya, my father, breathed his last today at 3.35 pm at Nagpur after completing 97 years of active, meaningful and inspiring life. He was a veteran journalist, a Hindutva ‘Bhashyakar’ and active RSS Swayamsevak for 9 decades.”

Devendra Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition (Assembly), expressed shock and grief over the demise of M G Vaidya. He said that he and others had lost a senior guide. “He will always be remembered for sagely attributes, in-depth knowledge of Sanskrit, ability to make one understand a complex issue in simple words, accomplished writer with proficiency in grammar, and a person who dedicated his life to furthering the ideology of RSS,” he stated.

 

Vijay Darda, former MP and Chairman of Lokmat Editorial Board, stated that M G Vaidya’s demise had deprived the people of the opportunity to celebrate his 100th birthday. “Once when I said that he should give us opportunity to celebrate his 100th birthday, he replied with a smile that we should keep our health good for that to happen. The news of Baburaoji’s demise has deeply pained me. Though we had difference of opinion on various issues, we enjoyed cordial relations,” he stated.

Sandip Joshi, Mayor, said that M G Vaidya’s demise was an irreparable loss. “His thoughts, sanskaars, and discipline shaped me as an individual. He was known as a living encyclopaedia of country’s social, political, and cultural life. His demise comes as a deep shock for us all. I have lost a guide and father figure,” stated Joshi. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP State General Secretary, also paid tributes and said that he had lost a guide.

 

He stated, “Baburaoji was a father figure for many as we used to consult him on various occasions. Meeting him was always an enlightening experience.” Hemant Gadkari, State General Secretary of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, recalled that he had met M G Vaidya last on March 12, 2019, on the latter’s birthday. “Then we had an interaction for half-an-hour on a variety of topics. He gifted two of his books to me. Also, he advised me to be devoted to organisation I was working with. We have lost a great scholar, thinker,” he added. Girish Vyas, MLC, said that Bharatiya Janata Party had lost a guide in demise of M G Vaidya. He recalled that Vaidya was a dedicated swayamsevak of RSS, and had later expanded the network of Bharatiya Jan Sangh in Nagpur, Vidarbha, and Maharashtra.

 

The articles he wrote as Chief Editor of ‘Tarun Bharat’ had the power to inspire readers. The present-day legislators can learn a lot from the speeches Vaidya delivered as member of Legislative Council, Vyas stated. Krishna Khopde, MLA, said that not only Nagpur but also the nation had lost a true patriot and Hindutva thinker. Vaidya had dedicated his entire life to the cause of RSS and Hindutva. Swayamsevaks of RSS benefited from Vaidya’s guidance. “Baburaoji never hesitated in pulling up the Government when it erred. He expressed his opinions fearlessly. His demise is an irreparable loss,” Khopde said. Arun Joshi, President of Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, said that the nation had lost a Hindutva ideologue. He recalled that Vaidya went underground when RSS was banned in 1948. But, Vaidya kept on working for RSS. His tenure as MLC was inspiring, Joshi added. Sadgurudas Maharaj expressed shock and grief over demise of M G Vaidya. In a condolence message, Sadgurudas Maharaj recalled his association with Vaidya since 1970. Also, he recalled, Vaidya motivated him to write his first book ‘Marhati Mati’ and also released it.

 

“Baburaoji’s life was based on three principles -- Nishtha (loyalty), Nirdhar (resolve), and Nishkamta (selflessness). I just wish that the God should have given him some more time so that his 100th birthday could be celebrated by us all,” he added. Prof Srinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, who was in Bengaluru, condoled the demise of ‘Acharya’ M G Vaidya. “We have lost a source of inspiration. He furthered the cause of Bharatiya culture, and used to guide us,” he added, while extending heartfelt condolences to Vaidya family. Grahak Panchayat condoled Vaidya’s demise. In a condolence message, Grahak Panchayat functionary Shyamkant Patrikar recalled that M G Vaidya was the first to prepare draft of Consumer Protection Bill to be tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Council as per the consultation with Bindu Madhav Joshi. However, when he came to know that the Bill would be tabled in Parliament, he withdrew it. “Sadly, Vaidya breathed his last five days before December 24, which is celebrated every year as National Consumer Day.

 

Grahak Panchayat will never forget his contribution to the cause of consumer protection,” stated the press release. Maharashtra Union of Working Journalists (MUWJ) and Nagpur Union of Working Journalists (NUWJ) condoled veteran journalist M G Vaidya’s demise. “His demise is a huge loss for journalism in Vidarbha region. We will remember him for an important attribute of respecting the thoughts of others even while being firm on own thought. He had affection for MUWJ and NUWJ both,” stated the condolence message issued jointly by Pradipkumar Maitra, MUWJ President; Brahmashankar Tripathi, Secretary; Shirish Borkar, NUWJ President; Vishwas Indurkar, Vice-President of Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust; Vinod Deshmukh, Prabhakar Dupare, Joseph Rao and others. Pulak Manch Pariwar office-bearer Ramesh Udepurkar stated in a release that M G Vaidya had groomed several journalists and students. His contribution to the cause of language, teaching, journalism, legislature, and RSS work would never be forgotten, he added.