Narendra Dabholkar, a well-known rationalist pushing for a law against superstition in Maharashtra, was shot dead outside a temple in Pune on Tuesday morning.





Narendra Dabholkar Narendra Dabholkar

Dabholkar, a doctor, was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill. Right wing Hindu groups including certain sections of Warkari sect and political parties have been opposing to the bill.

Dabholkar gunned down by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants around 7.30 a.m. near Omkareshwar Temple, when he was on a morning walk, police said.



The two gunmen fired indiscriminately at Dabholkar and sped away, leaving him in a pool of blood.



He was rushed by other co-walkers to Sassoon Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.



Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol said they were investigating the motive.



Police claimed to have got some leads on the killers, adding that at least four bullets found their target in the victim's neck and back.



Dabholkar was the founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (Committee for Eradication of Blind faith) that aimed to change social mindset and inculcate scientific temper.





(Photo courtesy: ANI) (Photo courtesy: ANI)

Dabholkar's murder comes days the state government promised to introduce the long-pending Maharashtra Eradication of Blind Faith Bill in the current assembly session.Dabholkar, who was in his 60s, began working against widespread superstition in 1983 and in 1989 founded the committee.He also wrote many books on superstition eradication and confronted tantriks and seers who promised miracles.He was also the founder of a de-addiction centre in Satara and also edited Marathi weekly Sadhana.

Condemning Dabholkar's killing, state Home Minister R.R. Patil vowed that his killers would be nabbed at the earliest and police were working in this direction.





A rationalist known for his bold views and sustained campaign against superstitions for over three decades, Dabholkar had rubbed many people the wrong way.



He led agitations against superstitions, animal sacrifices and even water pollution.



Dabholkar's killing has been widely condemned by people from all sections of society, most vocally on social media.

Narendra Dabholkar: an unflagging voice for reason in a climate that seeks to shun it. &; Dilip D'Souza (@DeathEndsFun) August 20, 2013

Narendra Dabholkar's tragic killing is a sad reflection on our society.Tolerance levels have come down heavily. What a shame? RIP &; S Irfan Habib (@irfhabib) August 20, 2013

- With PTI inputs

