Anti-superstition crusador Dr Dabholkar shot dead in Pune
AGENCIES, PUNE | 20 August 2013 11:53 IST
Dr Narendra Dabholkar, a humble crusader against superstitions, was shot dead today morning in Pune while he had set out for a morning walk.
Two unknown assailants, who came on a two wheeler, fired gunshots at him from behind at Omkareshwar bridge at around 7 am and murdered him.
He died on the spot.
Dr Dabholkar founded Andhshradha Nirmulan Samiti (Committee Against Superstition) and was working hard to bring a legsilation in Maharashtra against superstitions and black magic.
He was also editing Sadhana, a magazine founded by Sane Guruji, for the last 16 years, spreading a message of rationalism and scientific outlook.
According to police, they have manged to get the number of two wheeler the assailants were riding while an eye witness has also roughly described the assailants.
Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, while condoling the shocking death of Dr Dabholkar, has announced Rs 10 lakh to the person identifying the assailants.
He has suspected it to be a conspiracy to murder Dr Dabholkar.
“This horrifying incident is an attempt to strangulate the thoughts of scientific temparament and my government will not keep quite unless the people opposing these thoughts are broguht to books, in case they are behind it”, said Chavan.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar also said the real tribute to Dr Dabolkar would be to fulfill his aspirations with which he was working throughout his life.
Noted actor Nandu Madhav, who has convned a proest dharna at Shivaji Mandir in Mumbai from today afternoon, has said passing the bill against superstition and black magic would be a real tribute to Dr Dabholkar.
Organisations like Hindu Janjagruti Samit, Sanatan Sanstha and Varkari Samaj have been consistently opposing Dr Dabholkar attempts to bring the bill and also his thoughts on superstitions.
Dr Narendra Dabholkar's death is a great loss to the society and the country.
He was tirelessly working against superstitions and naturally made many enemies among those who we fooling people with their superstitious beliefs.
The greatest tribute to Dr. Dabholkar will be to pass the bill against superstition and black magic.
It is unfortunate that some organisations which pretend to work for the welfare of the people are against persons like Dr. Dabholkar who are trying to do away with superstitions.
This is sad news. There aren't many fearless, bold, and gutsy crusaders like Dr. Dabholkar was in India.
It is cowardice of his opponents to take him out in this way.
Spreading his message against superstitions and black magic would be a real tribute to the great man.