the goan I network
PANAJI
Sonak’s passing has triggered an outpouring of shock and grief among social and activist circles across the state, as friends and family and colleagues were yet to come to terms with the loss.
Sonak, who was well known for taking up cases especially those of the disadvantaged, and in particular in the Human Rights Commission, was rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital after he collapsed, where he was
declared dead.
Adv Sonak has been visible in various social movements from his student days, most particularly with the All Goa Students’ Union that led state-wide agitations among which the agitation for 50 per cent bus concession is the
most famous.
He was the President of Goa People’s Forum, which was formed a decade ago by former student activists of various students’ organisations of yester-years to take up social issues. More recently, he was involved in securing and protecting the rights of the Vanarmare community who were being ostracized in the village they lived. Through his efforts, the community received statewide attention, including being enrolled in the voters’ lists.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar condoled Sonak’s passing away saying: “Adv Satish Sonak’s demise is a huge loss to the state in the field of social activism” while praying for strength to his family to bear this
immense loss.
Sonak was also a pioneer in the Goa version of the anti-corruption movement on the lines of the fast being organised by Anna Hazare in New Delhi. After taking part in several day-long fasts to press the issue, Sonak was also involved as the movement that merged into the Aam Aadmi Party in Goa.
“Despite being staunchly apolitical throughout his activism, he joined hands with AAP on various issues, lending his powerful voice, legal mind, and moral weight to causes which he thought only AAP could do justice to,” the AAP said in its message on
his demise.
“AAP has lost one of its strongest pillars, and his void will be near impossible to fill. AAP vows to keep Satish Sonak’s memory alive by continuing his fight for justice and resolution of issues close to his heart, especially women’s rights and casinos,” the statement reads.
He is survived by his mother Dr Vibhavari, wife and Goa’s eminent artist Harshada Kerkar, brother Justice of Bombay High Court Mahesh Sonak and sister
Sushma Sonak.
