Renowned rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar shot dead in Pune

MUMBAI: Maharashtra's renowned rationalist and anti-superstition activist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, who was putting pressure on the Congress-NCP government in the state, for a law against superstition and black magic, was shot dead on Tuesday morning in Pune. The BJP and other opposition parties in Maharashtra have reacted sharply and demanded an investigation into Dr.Dabholkar's murder.

Dr Dabholkar was on a morning walk when he was attacked by two men near the Omkareshwar Bridge in the heart of Pune city. Both attackers were on a motorcycle. The police said four shots were fired at him at close range, two of which hit him in the back of his head.

The incident has triggered sharp political reactions in the state. BJP demanded an investigation into the this killing. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan expressed grief and announced that top most police officers will be put on the investigation. The killing sparked anger and grief in Mumbai, Pune and Dr.Dabholkar's hometown Satara, 100 km from Pune. Large crowds gathered at his home and took out a protest march. Many locals also kept their shops shut.

Announcing Rs 10 lakh for any information on the murder, the Maharashtra government called it a planned killing and slammed the police for failing to protect the senior activist. Dr Dabholkar's murder comes days after the Maharashtra government assured that it would introduce the anti-superstition Bill.BJP MLA from Pune Girish Bapat expressed shock over the incident and said that this was an indication of deteriorating law and order in Maharashtra under the Congress-NCP rule.