Narendra Dabholkar
Narendra Dabholkar | |
---|---|
Born | Satara, Bombay Province, British India | 1 November 1945
Died | 20 August 2013 Pune, Maharashtra, India | (aged 67)
Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
Occupations |
|
Spouse | Shaila Dabholkar |
Children | 2 |
Honours | Padma Shri (posthumous, 2014) |
Website | antisuperstition |
Narendra Achyut Dabholkar (1 November 1945 – 20 August 2013)
Personal life
Dabholkar was born on 1 November 1945 to Achyut and Tarabai, being the youngest of ten children. His elder siblings included the
Narendra did his schooling at New English School Satara and Willingdon College, Sangli. He was a qualified medical doctor, having obtained an MBBS degree from the Government Medical College, Miraj.[1]
He was the captain of the Shivaji University Kabaddi team. He had represented India against Bangladesh in a Kabaddi tournament. He won the Maharashtra government's Shiv Chhatrapati Yuva Award for Kabaddi.[1][6]
He was married to Shaila, and has two children, Hamid and Mukta Dabholkar.
Activism
This article is of a series on |
Criticism of religion |
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After working as a doctor for 12 years, Dabholkar became a social worker in the 1980s.[11][12] He became involved with movements for social justice, such as Baba Adhav's Ek Gaon Ek Panotha (One village – One well) initiative.[13]
Gradually, Dabholkar started focusing on eradication of superstition, and joined the Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ABANS). In 1989, he founded the
Between 1990–2010, Dabholkar was active in a movements for the equality of
Anti-superstition and black magic bill
In 2010, Dabholkar made several failed attempts to get an anti-superstition law enacted in the state of Maharashtra. Under his supervision, MANS drafted the Anti-Jaadu Tona Bill (
A couple of weeks before his death on 6 August 2013, Dabholkar had complained in a press conference that the bill had not been discussed despite being tabled in seven sessions of the state assembly. He had criticised the Chief Minister of Maharashtra,
Assassination
Dabholkar had faced several threats and assaults since 1983 but had rejected police protection.[7]
If I have to take police protection in my own country from my own people, then there is something wrong with me, I'm fighting within the framework of the Indian constitution and it is not against anyone, but for everyone.
— Dabholkar on rejecting police protection[7]
Murdered on 20 August 2013, while out on a morning walk, Dabholkar was shot down by two gunmen near Omkareshwar temple,
Dabholkar had originally donated his body to a medical college. But, the autopsy made necessary by his murder left the slain leader's body unfit for academic purposes.[32] He was cremated in Satara without any religious rites.[9][33] His pyre was lit by his daughter, Mukta, in contradiction to the tradition where the son lights the pyre.[34][35] His ashes were collected without any religious ceremony and scattered over his organic farm.[33]
Reactions
Dabholkar's assassination was condemned by many political leaders and social activists. The Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced a reward of ₹1 million (US$13,000) to any person with information of the assailants.[18][36] Furthermore, political parties called for a bandh (strike) in Pune on 21 August,[37] and various institutions across Pune remained closed to protest Dabholkar's assassination.[38]
Investigation
On 20 August 2013, the police stated that it is under suspicion that it was a planned murder because the assailants were aware Dabholkar stays in Pune only on Mondays and Tuesdays.[39] Chavan stated on 26 August 2013 that the police have some clues about his murder.[40] On 2 September, the police stated that 7 surveillance cameras had captured footage of the two assassins, and the footage had been sent to a London-based forensic lab for analysis.[41]
A
The Additional Sessions Judge S.R. Navandar (Special Judge for UAPA cases) was presented with a list of documents by the prosecution after charges had been framed in the 2013 murder case.[45]
On 17 January 2014, during his visit to Pune,
In August 2015, the CBI and Maharashtra government announced a ₹1 million (US$13,000) reward for any person providing information regarding Narendra Dabholkar's assailants.[52]
On 18 August 2018, the CBI arrested Sachin Prakasrao Andure, suspected of being one of the gunmen.[53] Dabholkar's son Hamid Dabholkar believed this to be an important development in the case which will help identify the planner behind the assassination.[53]
In 2019, the CBI found that Sanatan Sanstha's counsel, Sanjeev Punalekar, helped destroy the weapons used in the murders of Dabholkar and journalist Gauri Lankesh. Kalaskar visited Punalekar's office. Further, the CBI called the murders of Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh a "pre-planned act of terror".[54]
In 2023, his daughter, Mukta, lamented the fact that 10 years had passed but the masterminds behind Dabholkar's murder have not been arrested. Punalekar and his aide, Bhave, were out on bail.[55]
Legacy
In the aftermath of the assassination, the
The Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance applies only in the comparatively well-off and well-educated province of Maharashtra. In the rest of India the people lack comparable protection from fraudulent pretend-healers and other miracle fakers. Dalbholkar's daughter, Mukta, and other activists have picked up and carry forward his campaign for a nationwide anti-superstition law.[58][59]
The All India Peoples Science Network (AIPSN) observes 20 August as National Scientific Temper day to commemorate Dr Narendra Dabholkar.[60] [61]
Books
Narendra Dabholkar has authored many books in Marathi which have been translated to Hindi and English.
- Ladhe Andhashraddheche
- Prashna Tumcha Uttar Dabholkaranche
- Timiratuni Tejakade
- The Case for Reason: Volume One: Understanding the Anti-superstition Movement
- The Case for Reason: Volume Two: A Scientific Enquiry into Belief
- Please Think
In popular culture
The assassination is featured along with assassinations of other rationalists such as Govind Pansare, M. M. Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh in the documentary mini-series Vivek-Reason by Anand Patwardhan.[62]
Short film The Bookshelf [63] was produced in the memory of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M. M. Kalburgi[64] by three Indian publishing houses Tulika Books, Perumal Murugan's publisher Kalachuvadu and Deshabhimani Book House.[65]
See also
- Superstition in India
- Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance
- Govind Pansare
- M. M. Kalburgi
- Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS; or Committee for Eradication of Blind Faith, CEBF), founded by Narendra Dabholkar
- Sebastian Martin
References
- ^ DNA India. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ "Indian rationalism, Charvaka to Narendra Dabholkar". 21 August 2018.
- DNA India. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- DNA India. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ Chinchkar Dilip Kumar (19 December 2009). "तर्कशुद्ध विचारांचा मूर्तिमंत आविष्कार: परिवर्तन चळवळीतील विचारवंत शिक्षक". Sakal (in Marathi). Mumbai. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Founder:Dr. Narendra Dabholkar". Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Radheshyam Jadhav (21 August 2013). "Doctor who fought to stamp out superstition". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Dabholkar murder: Kin seek speedy probe". 5 October 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "Dabholkar practised what he preached". Business Standard. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Narendra Dabholkar, fighter against superstition, was killed on August 20th, aged 67". The Economist. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ DNA India. Pune. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-19-981260-8. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Satyajit Joshi (21 August 2013). "Dabholkar was a true crusader of rationalism". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ Priyanka Kakodkar (21 August 2013). "He was not against God but fought exploitation". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Anti-superstition campaigner killed in Pune". Business Standard. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ a b c "Narendra Dabholkar: India's Maharashtra state bans black magic after killing". BBC India. 21 August 2013.
- ^ "About: Parivartan". Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ DNA India. Mumbai. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Maseeh Rahman (20 August 2013). "Indian anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar shot dead". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Register an account | Hashing24".
- ^ "Social group blames Asaram Bapu for 'wasting' water". Yahoo! News. Nagpur. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ Mehta, Tejas (18 March 2013). "As Maharashtra battles drought, Asaram Bapu wastes water, abuses media". NDTV. Mumbai. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- DNA India. Pune. 20 August 2013.
- ^ "Warkaris use saffron power to fight bill on witchcraft". Pune Mirror. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- DNA India. Pune. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- IBNLive. 21 August 2013. Archived from the originalon 23 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Maharashtra Legislative Council Passes Black Magic Bill". The New Indian Express. 19 December 2013.
- DNA India. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Sorry doctor, we didn't deserve you". The Hindu. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Narendra Dabholkar murder case: CBI arrests Sanatan Sanstha counsel Sanjeev Punalekar". India Today. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Clear hand of Sanatan Sanstha in the murders of Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi: Nimbalkar". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Salil Urunkar (21 August 2013). "Dabholkar's wish to donate body remains unfulfilled". Mid-Day. Pune. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Family decides not to immerse Narendra Dabholkar's ashes". The Times of India. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "How Narendra Dabholkar practised what he preached". Hindustan Times. 25 August 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- DNA India. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "Anti-superstition activist Dabholkar shot dead in Pune; CM, Pawar condemn killing". The Times of India. Pune. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
- ^ "Bandh in Pune over rationalist Narendra Dabholkar's murder". Zee News. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- DNA India. Pune. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
- ^ "Rationalist Dabholkar shot dead". The Hindu. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
- ^ "Police have some clues in Narendra Dabholkar murder case: Prithviraj Chavan". The Times of India. Pune. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- Daily Bhaskar. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
- ^ "High Court seeks NIA reply in Dabholkar murder case". The Hindu. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ Rosy Sequeira (15 October 2013). "Cannot probe Dabholkar case, NIA tells high court". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
- Rediff. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Crack Dabholkar case in one week else give probe to CBI: R R Patil". The Times of India. Mumbai. 19 January 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Arms dealer, aide held in Dabholkar murder case". The Times of India. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 31 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Five months on, cops make first arrests in Dabholkar murder case". The Indian Express. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "HC to hear PIL for CBI probe into Dabholkar killing". The Times of India. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ "Police submit 'case diaries' in Dabholkar killing before HC". Zee News. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ^ News Service, Express (10 May 2014). "Bombay High Court transfers Dabholkar murder probe to CBI". Indian Express. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "Two years on, Narendra Dabholkar killers still remain elusive". Mid Day. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Narendra Dabholkar murder: CBI arrests gunman involved in crime; hope real perpetrators nabbed soon, says activists son Hamid - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ "Sanatan Sanstha's counsel helped destroy guns used to kill Dabholkar and the journalist Gauri Lankesh: CBI". India Today. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Bold but fuzzy". 12 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ catid=47:campaign-for-law&Itemid=123 Crimes Registered after the Ordinance Written by Krishna Chandgude Translated by Suman Oak
- ^ "National anti-black magic bill required: Dabholkar's daughter". The Hindu. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ^ "Dabholkar aides meet Rahul, Pawar for central anti-superstition law". First Post (India). 18 September 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ^ "Lectures, protests planned on Aug 20 to mark Scientific Temper Day". 6 August 2018.
- ^ "National Scientific Temper Day (August 20th) | aspin".
- ^ विवेक धारावाहिक Vivek Reason – YouTube. youtube.com.
- ^ Pradeep, K. (20 March 2017). "The stories on a bookshelf". The Hindu.
- ^ Scroll Staff (18 May 2016). "Watch: is this the future of books if freedom of expression is curbed?". Scroll.in.
- ^ "The Bookshelf" – via youtube.com.
External links
- Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (antisuperstition.org), founded by Narendra Dabholkar