It is often said that something which looks perfect on paper, may not make so much sense in practical life and it seems like gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli truly believes in this idea. He may be in jail for the murder of Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, but has topped an exam on Gandhian thoughts, something that speaks of non-violence.
Gawli, popularly known as "Daddy" by his supporters in Mumbai's Dagdi Chawl, is said to have scored 92.5 percent in an exam on Gandhian thoughts conducted at the Nagpur Central Jail. About 159 other inmates also took the exam and Gawli outshined them with a score of 74 out of 80.
The exam is reportedly a part of the rehabilitation programme and organised every year by Sahyog Trust, Sarvodaya Ashram (Nagpur) and Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal.
Speaking of the exam, Rani Bhonsale, the SP of the Nagpur Central Jail, told the Times of India that all the inmates of the jail were given study material and one month's time to learn about Gandhi's teachings and thoughts, after which they were tested on the same.
"It is an hour-long exam. We give various options, but the candidate has to write down the answer as opposed to just ticking the correct one," added Ravindra Bhusari, a trustee of Sahyog Trust.
Apart from the self-study books, Gawli reportedly was also mentored by teachers in the jail. "These people in the jail are called 'gurujis' and they basically act as teachers to all the inmates clarifying any doubts they may have on the subject."
However, unlike the other inmates who gathered in a common area to write the test, Gawli took the exam in his cell as he is on death row and isn't allowed to get out of the cell. "Inmates in anda cell, on death row etc are not allowed outside their cells and cannot mix with other inmates. For security reasons, Gawli was kept in his regular place," Bhusari explained.
So is it possible that Gawli could have cheated in the test to score such high marks? Not really, Bhusari said, as it is an open book test.
"Every inmate is allowed to keep the book open during the exam and has to find the answers from it. This is not a regular kind of test its purpose is more of spiritual enrichment," he explained.
The exam can reportedly be taken in English, Hindi and Marathi and Gawli is said to have written the test in Marathi.
Gawli, whose name is Arun Gulab Ahir, entered the underworld in the 1970s and joined the Byculla Company led by Rama Naik and Babu Reshim. After Naik was killed in a police encounter in 1988, Gawli took over the gang and operated it from the Dagdi Chawl. Gawli's gang is known to be one of the arch-rivals of Dawood Ibrahim's D-Company. He is also the founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena political party.
