{{Short description|Indian politician and poet (1964–2019)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Vishnu Wagh | image = Vishnu Wagh at IFFI Press Conference in 2012 (cropped).jpg | alt = Press conference by MLA & Vice Chairman of ESG, Vishnu Surya Wagh, at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2012), in Panaji, Goa on 27 November 2012 | caption = Wagh in 2012 | birth_name = Vishnu Surya Naik Wagh | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1964|7|24}} | birth_place = Dongri, Tiswadi, Goa, India | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2019|2|8|1964|7|24}} | death_place = Cape Town, South Africa | occupation = {{hlist|Politician|artist|writer|poet|playwright}} | spouse = {{ubl| * {{marriage|Sharmila Rao|1989|2006|end=div}} * {{marriage|Aruna Chodankar|2006}}}} | children = 4 | awards = Yuva Srujan Puraskar (2008) | office = Member of Goa Legislative Assembly | constituency = St. Andre | term_start = 2012 | term_end = 2017 | predecessor = Francisco Silveira | successor = Francisco Silveira }}
'''Vishnu Surya Naik Wagh''' (24 July 1964 – 8 February 2019) was an Indian poet, writer, dramatist, journalist and politician. He was a former member of the Legislative Assembly in Goa from 2012 to 2017 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.<ref>{{cite web |title = Why no 'captain' for Maharashtra polls, asks Goa BJP leader |url = http://www.mid-day.com/articles/why-no-captain-for-maharashtra-polls-asks-goa-bjp-leader/15644158 |publisher = Mid-Day |access-date = 8 November 2014 |date = 29 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Profile of SHRI VISHNU S. WAGH (BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY – 14-ST. ANDRE CONSTITUENCY) |url = http://goabjp.org/shri-vishnu-s-wagh/ |publisher = GOA BJP |access-date = 8 November 2014 |archive-date = 8 November 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141108165924/http://goabjp.org/shri-vishnu-s-wagh/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> Owing to his fragile health, he had been on a break from his active career since 2016,<ref name="BSHospital">{{Cite news |url = https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ex-goa-dy-speaker-writer-vishnu-wagh-hospitalised-118080700611_1.html |title = Ex-Goa dy speaker & writer Vishnu Wagh hospitalised |date = 2018-08-07 |work = Business Standard India |access-date = 2018-11-20 }}</ref> until his death in 2019.<ref name="HeraldDeath">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Writer-exDy-Speaker-Vishnu-Wagh-no-more/142663.html|title=Writer, ex-Dy Speaker Vishnu Wagh no more|website=oHeraldo|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> His book, ''Sudhir Sukta'', was a topic of much debate in 2017—2018 for its offensive language and content.<ref name="VivekMenezesCasteismToI" >{{Cite news |url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/vishnu-surya-wagh-and-the-worm-of-casteism/articleshow/60250391.cms |title = Vishnu Surya Wagh and 'The Worm of Casteism' |last = Menezes |first = Vivek |date = 28 August 2017 |work = The Times of India |access-date = 2018-11-20 }}</ref>
==Early life== Vishnu Wagh was born in the village of Dongri in Tiswadi to Indu and Surya Wagh. He had three siblings – Ramrao, Smita and Jyotsna, and was the second child.<ref name="IEKeptDark2019">{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/feb/15/kept-in-dark-about-former-goa-deputy-speaker-vishnu-waghs-death-allege-his-siblings-1938930.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035339/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/feb/15/kept-in-dark-about-former-goa-deputy-speaker-vishnu-waghs-death-allege-his-siblings-1938930.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2019|title=Kept in dark about former Goa Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh's death, allege his siblings|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-02-15}}</ref> Being a smart child, he read all the books that his father had in the house multiple times. He was greatly influenced by writers like Khadilkar, Kanetkar and Gadkari. When a local library was opened, he became a regular visitor. The librarian would advise him on the choice of books to borrow and read. He thus got access to mystery novels and ''Shringarik'' literature, which he used to read sitting in the ''Maalo'' ({{Translation|attic}}) of his home. Due to some reason the library was closed, but by that time Wagh had become a Panch at their Village Panchayat. He reopened the Library. He spent a lot of time with his relatives and friends in Ponda. He acted in many dramas as a child artist, under the guidance of his father, Surya Wagh, who was an actor in his Marathi theatre group, ''Hauns Sangeet Natya Mandal''. He used to enact famous mythological characters like Krishna and Rama in ''Dhalo'' performances.<ref name="NavprabhaBaba">{{Cite news|title=The one who influenced everyone: Baba|last=Wagh|first=Ramrao|date=17 February 2019|work=Navprabha}}</ref>
His family was not very religious, but they were interested in ''Bhajan'', ''Kirtan'' and readings of religious texts. Wagh regularly attended the ''Kirtan'' programmes at the Shri Ram – Hanuman Mandir in their village. He used to devoutly listen to the ''Kirtankar''. Once, one of the ''Kirtankars'' asked the children to learn Ramdas' ''ovya'' ({{Translation|verses}}), which Wagh did and could recite perfectly. He had a good rapport with all the ''Kirtankars'' that visited the village ever since that incident. One of them, named Valimbe taught him about the whole art of ''Kirtan''. Valimbe also remained in touch with him through letters. Wagh also became close to Brahmanand Swami.<ref name="NavprabhaBaba" />
He won a rank at the Class X Board examination and went on to study science at MES College. He used to stay at his maternal aunt's place in Vasco. After being encouraged by his professors, he started participating in various competitions. He signed up at the Municipal Library in Vasco, made friends with other artistes and started writing and directing one act plays. It was during these days that he first ventured into journalism, drawing caricatures, dramas, poetry and elocution. The next year he got a first class, with the highest marks in Languages, but did not do as well in Science and Math due to lack of interest. He subsequently completed a BSc in Chemistry and Zoology from Dhempe College of Arts and Science. He actively participated in students' movements and was guided by Nandkumar Kamat. He was enrolled in Goa University, pursuing his MSc in Biochemistry, when his father died in 1987. He then decided to take responsibility and shifted to journalism in his second year.<ref name="NavprabhaBaba" /><ref name="LokmatAsahiVishnu">{{Cite news|url=http://epaperlokmat.in/epapernew.php?articleid=LOK_GALK_20190214_7_1&width=456px|script-title=mr:असा विष्णु, असाही विष्णु|date=14 February 2019|work=Lokmat|access-date=16 February 2019|language=mr|trans-title=Asa Vishnu, Asahi Vishnu|archive-date=16 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216035440/http://epaperlokmat.in/epapernew.php?articleid=LOK_GALK_20190214_7_1&width=456px|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Socio-cultural career== [[File:Goa former politician Vishnu Wagh and team stage a performance at their village temple in Tiswadi taluka.jpg|thumb|left|Vishnu Wagh and team stage a performance at their village temple in Tiswadi in 2006]] Vishnu Wagh had been actively involved in the socio-cultural field for many years. Over the years, he indulged in poetry; drawing cartoons and caricatures; study of Vedic and sant literature, heritage, and anthropology; and had even been a part of environment campaigns.<ref name="GoaAssemblyProfile"> {{cite web |url=http://goaassembly.gov.in/member.php?id=147&flag=MLA |title=Shri. Vishnu Surya Wagh {{!}} M.L.A |website=Goa Legislative Assembly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108160746/http://goaassembly.gov.in/member.php?id=147&flag=MLA |archive-date=8 November 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date = 30 November 2018 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He had been connected to Brahmanand Swami of Tapobhumi (who died in 2003).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=7635|title=Multifaceted Vishnu Wagh no more|date=13 February 2019|work=GoaNews.com|access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref>
Soon after completing his education, Wagh began his career by joining ''Newslink'', an English publication of the ''Tarun Bharat'' group, and later joined the ''Tarun Bharat'' team in Belgaum (after ''Newslink'' was abruptly shut down). He also played a role in setting up the daily newspapers, ''Vartamaan'' (funded by mine owners) and ''Sudarshan''. He later went on to become the youngest editor of ''Gomantak''.<ref name="LokmatAsahiVishnu" />
He wrote over 20 plays in Marathi, three ''sangeet nataks'' ({{Translation|musical plays}}), 18 Konkani plays and 16 one-act plays. He directed over 50 plays in Konkani and Marathi. Some of his critically acclaimed plays include ''Tuka Abhang Abhang'', ''Suvari'', ''Teen Poishancho Tiatro'', ''Dharmashree'', and ''Pedru Poddlo Baient''.<ref name="WaghAwardedToI2003"> {{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/Vishnu-Surya-Wagh-awarded/articleshow/139269.cms |title=Vishnu Surya Wagh awarded |date=20 August 2003 |work=The Times of India |access-date = 8 November 2014 }}</ref> He also wrote six volumes of poetry and emerged as an eminent poet in these languages.<ref name="DevikaLoveControversy"> {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/a-controversy-wagh-would-have-loved/articleshow/61211345.cms |title=A controversy Wagh would have loved |last=Sequeira |first=Devika |date=27 October 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref> His poem, ''Shahar Ani Ganv'' ({{Translation|''Town and Village''}}), features in the Class IX Marathi textbook of the Maharashtra Board of Education.<ref name="WaghRecoveryToI"> {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Vishnu-Wagh-on-road-to-recovery-says-wife-Aruna/articleshow/54615367.cms |title=Vishnu Wagh on road to recovery, says wife Aruna |date=1 October 2016 |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 November 2019 }}</ref>
Wagh was also a part of Marathi cinema, after writing the lyrics of movies like ''Gadya Aapla Gaon Bara''<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.karamnook.com/2013/01/gadya-aapla-gaon-bara-story-video-stills.html |title='Gadya Aapla Gaon Bara' Story, Video, Stills |work=Karamnook.com |access-date=2018-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113100/http://www.karamnook.com/2013/01/gadya-aapla-gaon-bara-story-video-stills.html |archive-date=30 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |title=Gadya Aapla Gaon Bara |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5476294/ |website=IMDb |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref> and the screenplay of a few others, like ''Sarpanch Bhagirath.''<ref> {{Cite web |url=https://www.moviebuff.com/sarpanch-bhagirath |title=Sarpanch Bhagirath on Moviebuff.com |website=Moviebuff.com |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref><ref> {{Cite news |url=https://marathimovieworld.com/moviedetail/sarpanch-bhagirath.php |title=Sarpanch Bhagirath ( सरपंच भगीरथ ) |date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref> He was also a powerful orator, known for his speech writing and delivery.<ref name="BusinessGoaAtrePuraskar">{{Citation |title=Vishnu Surya Wagh wins P K Atre Puraskar |date=August 2014 |url=https://issuu.com/businessgoa/docs/md_bg_aug_14__web |magazine=Business Goa |pages=58 |access-date=30 November 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228071438/https://issuu.com/businessgoa/docs/md_bg_aug_14__web |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Wagh's work often talked about the oppression of the masses by the higher castes. He was a supporter of their rights, especially those of the Bhandari community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/literature-or-politics-nothing-could-silence-this-tigers-roar/articleshow/67983871.cms|title=Literature or politics, nothing could silence this tiger's roar|date=14 February 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref>
thumb|right|Vishnu Wagh singing at an event in 2013
He held the following positions: * Chairman of Kala Academy<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Vishnu-Wagh-back-in-Kala-Academy-Chairman%E2%80%99s-seat/87387.html |title=Vishnu Wagh back in Kala Academy Chairman's seat |date=17 April 2015 |work=Herald Goa |archive-date=20 November 2018 |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120220945/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Vishnu-Wagh-back-in-Kala-Academy-Chairman%E2%80%99s-seat/87387.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Vice-Chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG)<ref> {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Vishnu-Wagh-stripped-of-Kala-Academy-entertainment-society-of-Goa-posts/articleshow/30964670.cms |title=Vishnu Wagh stripped of Kala Academy, entertainment society of Goa posts |date=25 February 2014 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref> * Editor of the Marathi daily, ''Gomantak''<ref name="BusinessGoaAtrePuraskar" /> * President of Gomantak Natya Sammelan and Yuva Marathi Sahitya Sammelan<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goavidhansabha.gov.in/member_profile.php?mem_id=62 |title=Goa Legislative Assembly – Shri. Vishnu Naik Wagh |website=Goa Vidhan Sabha |access-date=2018-11-20 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120220948/http://www.goavidhansabha.gov.in/member_profile.php?mem_id=62 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Executive Member of the World Marathi Academy<ref name="GoaAssemblyProfile" /> * Spokesman of Akhil Bharatiya Bhandari Mahasangh<ref name="GoaAssemblyProfile" />
==Political career== Wagh's political career began in the 1990s with the Shiv Sena and the MGP.<ref name="DevikaLoveControversy" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://epaperlokmat.in/Archive/epapernew.php?articleid=LOK_GALK_20190224_7_1&arted=Goa%20Main%20&width=600px|title=विष्णु वाघांच्या जाण्याचे काही संदर्भ|last=Naik|first=Kaustubh|date=24 February 2019|work=Lokmat|language=mr|script-title=mr:Devanagari|trans-title=Vishnu Waghanchya Janyache Kahi Sandarbh}}</ref> Then, after 14 years of being a former general secretary and spokesperson of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Wagh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 30 October 2011, in the presence of senior BJP leaders — Laxmikant Parsekar, MP Shripad Naik, and Manohar Parrikar.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/vishnu-surya-wagh-quits-congress-joins-bjp/article2584187.ece |title=Vishnu Surya Wagh quits Congress joins BJP |work=The Hindu |access-date = 8 November 2014 }}</ref>
He won the 2012 Goa Legislative Assembly election with a margin of 1219 votes from Constituency Number 14, St. Andre Constituency – consisting of the 7 villages of Goa Velha (St Andre), Azossim-Mandur, Neura, Batim, Agacaim (St Lawrence), Pale-Siridao and Curca-Bambolim-Telaulim.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Wagh-makes-easy-work-of-difficult-St-Andre-seat/articleshow/12168975.cms |title=Wagh makes easy work of 'difficult' St Andre seat |work=The Times of India |access-date = 8 November 2014 }}</ref>
On 14 January 2016, he was elected as the Deputy speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/sant-andre-mla-mla-vishnu-wagh-was-on-thursday-elected-as-the-deputy-speaker-of-goa-legislative-assembly/ |title=sant andre mla MLA Vishnu wagh was on Thursday elected as the deputy speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly|work=The Navhind Times |access-date=14 January 2016 }}</ref>
After Wagh's illness, his brother, Ramrao Wagh, was selected by the BJP as his successor to contest the seat of St Andre in the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election. Ramrao is a professor working at Goa University, who holds a BSc degree in Physics and a masters in computer applications.<ref> {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/ramrao-steps-into-brother-vishnus-shoes/articleshow/56508132.cms |title=Ramrao steps into brother Vishnu's shoes – Times of India |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref> However, he lost to the Congress candidate, Francisco Silveira, who was in power before Vishnu Wagh.<ref> {{Cite news |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/elections/election-results-2017-goa-cm-laxmikant-parsekar-loses-close-contest-between-congress-bjp/583925/ |title=Election results 2017: Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar loses; close contest between Congress, BJP |website=The Financial Express |access-date=2018-11-30 }}</ref>
==Awards== *Bakibab Borkar Award, Mumbai (2003)<ref name="WaghAwardedToI2003" /><ref> {{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=478|title=The 'Tiger' takes charge|work=The Goan |publisher=The Goan Everyday|access-date = 8 November 2014}}</ref> * Damani Award, Solapur (2003)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/vishnu-wagh-champion-of-the-underdog/articleshow/67983914.cms|title=Vishnu Wagh: Champion Of The Underdog|last=Malkarnekar|first=Gauree|date=14 February 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-02-15}}</ref> * Yashwantrao Chavan Award, Pune * Pune Festival Award * Dhananjay Keer Award, Mumbai * Kala Academy Awards * Gomant Vidya Niketan Award *Gomantak Marathi Academy Award * Goa Ratna Award<ref name="BSHospital"/> * Vidya Vachaspati Award * Yuva Chetna Award *Acharya P K Atre Sahitya Puraskar<ref name="BusinessGoaAtrePuraskar" />
==Illness and death== In May 2016, Wagh suffered a massive heart attack, resulting in significant kidney damage.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=7293 |title = Vishnu Wagh survives massive heart attack, kidney damaged |work = GoaNews.com |access-date = 20 November 2018 }}</ref> In August 2016, he suffered another heart attack, while at a public function in Panaji. He then underwent an angioplasty at the Goa Medical College (GMC) and was later shifted to Mumbai, where he was first treated at Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, and was later shifted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital at Andheri. This was due to the latter hospital's better neurosurgical facilities.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.itsgoa.com/vishnu-wagh-returns-goa-7-month-hospital-stay/ |title=Vishnu Wagh returns to Goa after a 7 month hospital stay |date=2017-04-05 |work=ItsGoa |access-date=2018-11-30 |archive-date=30 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130155103/https://www.itsgoa.com/vishnu-wagh-returns-goa-7-month-hospital-stay/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> While admitted in Mumbai, he was visited by many celebrities like Nana Patekar and Mahesh Manjrekar. He was also treated by the Goan-born neurosurgeon P. S. Ramani.<ref name="WaghRecoveryToI" /> Wagh returned to Goa in April 2017, when he was discharged. He had since been hospitalized multiple times.<ref name="BSHospital"/><ref> {{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/vishnu-wagh-admitted-to-gmc-condition-serious/articleshow/60486513.cms |title=Vishnu Wagh admitted to GMC, condition serious |date=13 September 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2018-11-20 }}</ref>
Wagh died in his sleep on 8 February 2019, while on tour in South Africa with his wife.<ref name="HeraldDeath" /> His death was reported by his wife Aruna five days after, which caused his siblings to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.<ref name="IEKeptDark2019" /> In response to this, his wife issued a statement that Wagh had been admitted to Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula for the two months prior to his death, where he expressed an interest in not dying in a hospital room, and that he wanted to visit Johannesburg and Cape Town. She further shared a poem written by him in Marathi titled ''Marnyapurvichya Kahi Suchana'' ({{Translation|''Few Instructions to Follow Before Death''}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/kept-in-dark-about-death-say-waghs-siblings/articleshow/68000202.cms|title=Kept in dark about death, say Vishnu Wagh's siblings |date=15 February 2019 |website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>
Wagh was cremated with full state honours at Ponda on 17 February 2019. His body arrived early that morning at Dabolim Airport and was escorted by State Minister of Art and Culture, Govind Gaude, to his residence in Dhavali, Ponda. The body was then taken for public viewing and prayers at Dayanand Bandodkar Ground, Kashimath, Ponda. The funeral consisted of inter-religious prayers and a musical and literary tribute to him, and had many prominent attendees from the fields of politics, art and literature. The police presented Wagh with the ''salami shastra'' and the ''shok shastra''. Wagh was later cremated at Ponda Municipal Crematorium, named ''Warkhende''. The final rites were performed by Vishnu's son Priyadarshan, in the presence of Vishnu's younger son and his brother Ramrao. Some time later, then Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo issued a statement that Wagh must be awarded the Padma Shri for his work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2019/02/17/bes7-ga-wagh-cremation.html|title=GA-WAGH-CREMATION|website=The Week|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author1=Nt |url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/wagh-cremated-with-state-honours/|title=Wagh cremated with state honours |work=Navhind Times |date=18 February 2019 |access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>
==Reception== [[File:Mural of Vishnu Wagh.jpg|thumb|right|Mural of Vishnu Wagh by Solomon Souza in Panjim, Goa]] More than twenty years ago, Wagh's acclaimed play, ''Tuka Abhang Abhang'', caused public outrage for having depicted the Purohits murdering Sant Tukaram.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-sachin-parab-writes-on-poet-vishnu-surya-wagh-5679515-NOR.html |title=शूद्रसुक्ताची लढाई |last=Parab |first=Sachin |date=27 August 2017 |work=Divya Marathi |access-date=2018-11-30 |language=mr |script-title=mr:Devanagari |trans-title=Fight of Sudhir Sukta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130113225/https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/MAG-sachin-parab-writes-on-poet-vishnu-surya-wagh-5679515-NOR.html |archive-date=30 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In August 2017, Wagh's anthology of poems, ''Sudhir Sukta'' ({{Translation|''Hymns of a Shudra''}}), was declared to be the awardee of the Goa Konkani Akademi (GKA) Award in the poetry category.<ref name="VivekMenezesCasteismToI" /> This caused an outrage campaign on social media, which saw some of its more controversial verses being shared. In October 2017, the Goa government cancelled all the thirty-two literature and culture awards – the results of which were hitherto undeclared – including the one for Wagh.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Govt-cancels-32-awards-of-Goa-Konkani-Academy-/121288.html |title = Govt cancels 32 awards of Goa Konkani Academy |work = oHeraldo |access-date = 2018-11-20 |language = en |archive-date = 15 October 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171015034852/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Govt-cancels-32-awards-of-Goa-Konkani-Academy-/121288.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> Upon a complaint filed by Goan women's rights activist, Auda Viegas, an FIR was later registered against Wagh and the publishing house, Apurbai Prakashan (run by Hema Naik), under Sections 292, 293 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. This was regarding the book's representation of women and castes.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/vishnu-wagh-book-sudirsukt-under-fire-in-goa |title = Who Is Vishnu Wagh and Why Is His 'Anti-Brahmin' Book Under Fire? |last = Malhotra |first = Hansa |date = 18 October 2017 |work = The Quint |access-date = 2018-11-20 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://indianexpress.com/article/india/goa-former-bjp-mla-vishnu-surya-wagh-poet-hounded-for-questioning-brahmins-4896000/ |title = Awarded, then trashed: Goa poet hounded for questioning Brahmins |last = Nair |first = Smita |date = 18 October 2017 |work = The Indian Express |access-date = 2018-11-20 }}</ref> A few weeks later, the BJP government, of which Wagh was a part of before his illness, issued a statement that the FIR would be withdrawn, as the "language used by Mr. Wagh in the book is the language of masses".<ref> {{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/states/fir-against-poet-vishnu-wagh-to-be-withdrawn-bjp/article19914056.ece |title=FIR against poet Vishnu Wagh to be withdrawn: BJP |date=2017-10-25 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2018-11-30 |issn=0971-751X }}</ref>
==Personal life== Vishnu Wagh was previously married to Sharmila Rao, with whom he had two children, one of whom is named Parth.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=28 September 2016|title=Matrimonial Suit No. 9/05/A|url=http://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/0607/0607-26-SIII-OG.rtf|journal=Official Gazette Government of Goa|volume=Series III No. 26|pages=2|via=Govt. Printing Press, Goa}}</ref> After their divorce in 2006, he married Aruna Chodankar, who is employed as an officer in the Labour Department of the Union Labour Ministry of India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Wagh%E2%80%99s-wife-cries-for-relief/130863.html|title=Wagh's wife cries for relief|work=oHeraldo|date=16 May 2018|access-date=2018-11-30|archive-date=2018-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202011/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Wagh%E2%80%99s-wife-cries-for-relief/130863.html}}</ref> They had two boys together – Priyadarshan and Gagansurya.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=47207|title=Wagh's family takes part in 'healing' session in South Africa; Pastor Lukau's video goes viral|date=30 November 2018|work=The Goan|access-date=2018-11-30}}</ref>
==See also== {{commons category|Vishnu Wagh}} * Kala Academy * List of Marathi-language poets * International Film Festival of India
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wagh, Vishnu}} Category:1964 births Category:2019 deaths Category:Indian male poets Category:Konkani-language poets Category:Konkani people Category:Poets from Goa Category:Goa MLAs 2012–2017 Category:People from North Goa district Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Goa Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Goa Category:Shiv Sena politicians Category:Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party politicians Category:Indian poets Category:Marathi-language poets Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Goa Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights