Maharashtra: Social Activist Baba Amte’s Granddaughter Sheetal Amte-Karajgi Found Dead; Suicide Suspected

A disability specialist and social entrepreneur, Sheetal was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board member of a non-profit organization, Maharogi Sewa Samiti. Sheetal was reportedly under stress for the last few days.

Image: Dr Sheetal Amte-Karajgi (Facebook)

Social activist Baba Amte’s granddaughter and social worker Dr Sheetal Amte-Karajgi has been found dead. As per the early reports from news agency ANI, the Indian public health expert Sheetal allegedly committed suicide in Anandwan at her residence in Chandrapur district. A disability specialist and social entrepreneur, Sheetal was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and board member of a non-profit organization, Maharogi Sewa Samiti, which focuses on helping people affected with leprosy. Sheetal reportedly took the extreme step a week after she raised some serious allegations about the irregularities in the NGO. Taking to her Facebook, she posted a video but removed the post within two hours. Sheetal was reportedly under stress for the last few days. Earlier today, Sheetal in a Twitter post mentioned 'War and Peace'.

Sheetal was the granddaughter of eminent social worker and activist Murlidhar Devidas Amte, affectionately known as Baba Amte (Father Amte). Exposed early on to a life of privilege, he would hunt wild animals, play sports, and drive luxurious cars. He went on to study law and was running his own successful firm by his 20s. Despite his upbringing, however, Amte was aware of India`s class inequalities. A strong believer in national unity, Amte launched the first Knit India March in 1985. At age 72, he walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, a distance of more than 3,000 miles with the simple purpose to inspire unity in India. For his outstanding service to humanity, Baba Amte was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1971, the 1988 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights, and the 1999 Gandhi Peace Prize.