ABGP History – Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat

The History of ABGP

In late 1970s, there was great restlessness due to social and political situation prevailing in the country. In the Pune city, a group of young social workers and leaders from various social forums, were organized together by late Shri. Bindu Madhav joshi. He was a freedom fighter, a graduate from SP college Pune, a sangh swayamsevak, and founder of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat. In 1974, Mr. joshi, along with other eminent personalities like Sudhir Phadke, P.L.Deshpande, Prof. Dandekar, G.V.behere, and many other activists joined together to create “Yuvak Mahamandal Janata Grahak Sangh”. Some volunteers who joined this movement in 1974 like, Suryakant pathak, Thaksen pore, Dr.Ashok Kale etc are still with the organization handling various responsibilities.

Before diwali in the year 1974, first attempt to supply commodities required for festive seasons, through grahak sanghs created, was successful and an outstanding event in Pune. A boycott was declared for textile goods on Laxmi road, and movement volunteers labored to procure textile from producers and sale it to consumers at much cheaper rates.

This was the beginning of movement called ABGP, which had its roots in the yuvak mahamandals. Jaiprakash Narayan who was leading a nationwide movement then, also blessed this movement during his visit to Pune. The formal inauguration of ABGP was done on 23 rd Dec 1975, at the hands of then Justice M.C.Chagla. In his inaugural speech he stated that what Pune thought today, India will think subsequently. His words were proved correct, with the hard work under the leadership of late Bindu Madhav Joshi popularly known as Nana, and subsequent leaders, the movement reached more than 25 states, nearly 200 districts in the country by 2017.