Supporters give Oct 2 ultimatum to govt

Activists and leaders spoke out against the police department and vented their anger over alleged inaction on the part of the government in nabbing the culprits despite the fact that alomst a month had passed since the rationalist’s murder.

While Dabholkar’s wife Shaila and son Hamid were subdued and appealed for the spread of rationalist ideology even in the remotest corner of Maharashtra and in the country,Adhav and Patil lashed out at the government for failing to nab the killers.

“I will not ask for the resignation of RR Patil (Home Minister),for he wouldn’t,I know. If he has some shame left,he should not take his salary till his Home department gets any lead in the killing of Dabholkar,” Adhav said.

N D Patil said he has no words to adequately criticise the ‘inaction’ and ‘incompetence’ shown by government in handling the killing of Dabholkar. “It is almost month to the murder of Dabholkar and government and its police machinery is still groping in the dark. It is a passive government. We will take to the streets if the government fails to nab attackers and their masterminds,” he said.

Addressing the gathering,Shaila Dabholkar said constructive,rationalist forces should emerge stronger,as a tribute to her slain husband. Hamid Dabholkar said that the mission to spread rationalist ideology should be carried out more vigorously in the future in keeping with the dreams of his father. “Let the police take their time to crack the case (of Dabholkar killing). Let us allow them to do their work,while we will do ours,” he said.

At the end of protest,it was unanimously decided by supporters to intensify the agitation after October 2 if police fails to get any trustworthy lead in the investigation of the Dabholkar killing.

MANS executive president Avinash Patil,veteran actor and activist Deepa Lagoo along with a large number of Dabholkar followers were present on the occasion.

MANS booklet on ordinance

The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has come out with a special booklet to spread awareness about anti-superstition ordinance,promulgated by the state government after the killing of Dabholkar. It will be released by senior leader Govind Pansare at the Pune Union of Working Journalists at 4 pm on Sunday. The booklet has a pictorial elaboration of different provisions mentioned in the ordinance brought by the government to effect the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman,Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act 2013,it was said.