Rival processions mark third death anniversary of Narendra Dabholkar in Pune

Pune: Rival processions in Pune marked the third death anniversary of anti-superstition campaigner Narendra Dabholkar who was killed on 20 August, 2013 when he was out for a morning walk. [caption id=“attachment_2967052” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Narendra Dabholkar. PTI[/caption] Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), several other like-minded groups, civil society activists and others took out a large procession demanding justice for Dabholkar who was gunned down by two unknown motorcycle-borne shooters. Simultaneously, a few activists of Sanatan Sanstha – which has been linked to Dabholkar’s murder through accused Vinod Tawde – and other groups attempted to take out a protest march but were stopped by the police. They raised slogans calling for an end to what they called trial of Sanatan Sanstha by the media. Leading the MANS procession, Dabholkar’s daughter Mukta urged all people to join the movement for peace and strengthen the voice of rationalists. Dabholkar’s son Hamid said if his father’s killers remained untraced for three years, what hope can the common masses have for justice. “We shall continue to demand justice and fight for the ideals which he stood for,” Hamid said. Sporting black ribbons and carrying banners and placards, the marchers shouted, ‘Narendra Dabholkar Amar Rahe,’ (long live Narendra Dabholkar) and walked to the spot where he was killed. The groups also organised cultural programmes in Dabholkar’s memory. Several commemorative marches, candle-light vigils and other programmes are being organised across Maharashtra to pay homage to Dabholkar.