Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday criticised Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for blaming Hindu right wing organisations for rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder, without having any evidence to back the claim.

Chavan, only hours after the murder in Pune, had said that the forces who killed Mahatma Gandhi were behind the killing of Dabholkar.

Speaking at a training camp organised for Sena workers from Shirur and Maval constituency in Lonavala, Thackeray said, "Dabholkar's murder is a sad incident and a heinous crime. Those who committed the crime should be hanged at a public square. However, the statement made by the CM that only Hindutva-wadi organisations were behind the killing was unsuitable. If he is sure that Hindutva organisations were behind the killing and has evidence to prove it, then he should find the accused and hang them, even if they are Hindus. However, to make such a statement without any evidence is wrong.

Dabholkar, a renowned rationalist and anti-superstition activist, was murdered by unidentified assailants in Pune on August 20. He was pressuring the state government to pass a law that would ban the practice of inhuman rituals in the name of black magic.

Several right-wing Hindu organisations opposed it, alleging that it encroached upon their right to practice their religion. A day after Dabholkar's murder, the state government passed the ordinance.

ALSO READ Jan 31 deadline looms, those without Aadhaar ID will have to pay market price for LPG

Please read our terms of use before posting comments