Protest against failure of police to solve Dabholkar murder case
ANS activists want to know why Narendra Dabholkar’s murder case has not been solved
Activists of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS) gathered at Omkareshwar bridge to condemn Dabholkar's killing and failure of the police to solve the murder.
Dabholkar was the founder-chairman of the Samiti which challenged blind, superstitious traditions and practices, as well as the editor of a magazine called 'Sadhana'.
He was shot dead on the morning of August 20, 2013, at close range by two unidentified assassins at Omkareshwar bridge in Pune.
“The late Dr Dabholkar fought for over 18 years to get the anti-black magic bill and anti social boycott bill passed in the assembly. Both were passed and this week we lodged two cases under the anti-social boycott law in Kondhawa and Sanghavi respectively.This what Dabholkar expected from us,’’ says Mukta Dabholkar.
The protest was addressed by the leader of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti and progressive personalities included Mukta Dabholkar, Atul Pethe ,Nandini Jadhav and Milind Deshmukh.
Talking about the delayed investigation into the murder, Mukta said, “It speaks truth about the law and order situation in our state. Four year on and the police have made no progress in the investigation,” she said.
Nandini Jadhav, city president of ANS, said, “This is not for just his family, but for the workers of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti. They too are upset with the government’s attitude,” she added.
“We are believers in the non-violence movement.For the last 47 months, on the 20th of every month, we have gathered here and raised our voice,” she said.
Jadhav said that the police need to be properly trained to deal with cases related to the anti social boycott act. “Police officials are still struggling when it comes to registering these cases, as they don’t know what section the culprits should be booked under. Hence, the ANS is always ready to help the police.In the Kondhwa case I was personally present the whole day at the police station to help them,” she said.
Dabholkar fought his entire life for both ordinances. It’s too late because he is no more with us. Now it depends on what response it gets from the people and whether they will follow it.Now, its the responsibility of all activists to carry forward the path laid by the late Dabholkar.