Anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar shot dead in Pune

Pune: Activist Narendra Dabholkar, who was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill, was shot dead this morning by unknown assailants.

Dabholkar was found dead in a pool of blood at Omkareshwar bridge in Pune.

Dabholkar, who was also editor of Sadhana magazine which was devoted to the propagation of progressive thought, succumbed to bullet injuries in Pune’s Sassoon Hospital.

Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol, who confirmed Dabholkar’s death, told PTI that police were investigating the motive but no suspects have so far been identified.

Dabholkar spearheaded the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Anti-Superstition movement) with the stated objective of changing social mindset and inculcating scientific temper.

A staunch fighter for the cause of eradication of inhuman rituals and superstitions, Dabholkar was also in the forefront of the campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill —- opposed by certain sections of the Warkari sect – in the State legislature.

PTI