Dabholkar murder case: Sanatan Sanstha mouthpiece sketch in probe records

The caricature accompanied an article by HJS activist Shivaji Vatkar dated August 18, 2013. Vatkar narrates what he learned while opposing the anti-superstition Bill proposed by Dabholkar and activist Shyam Manav.

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The caricature ‘slaying’ Dabholkar-founded ANIS was published 2 days before the murder.

A CARICATURE published in Sanatan Sanstha mouthpiece Sanatan Prabhat two days before the Narendra Dabholkar’s murder on August 20, 2013, is part of the records being maintained by investigators in the case. The sketch depicts ANIS — Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, the organisation founded by Dabholkar — as a demon being slayed.

The caricature, captioned “Dharmdrohi Kayda Bargalala (Anti-Religion Bill falls flat)”, shows the three hands of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti (HJS), Hindutvawadi and Warkari organisations stabbing the “demon” ANIS with a flag pole.

The caricature accompanied an article by HJS activist Shivaji Vatkar dated August 18, 2013. Vatkar narrates what he learned while opposing the anti-superstition Bill proposed by Dabholkar and activist Shyam Manav.

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The sketch is part of the records related to Sanstha in the Dabholkar murder case. Sources said the article and caricature did not give any leads about the assailants, but it represented the extremist ideology of the outfit.

Sanatan spokesperson Abhay Vartak said, “Because of agitations by Sanstha, HJS, Warkari sect and Hindutva organisations, the anti-superstition Bill was not passed. The bodhchitra was carried with the article by Vatkar on his experiences about the agitation. The pictorial representation symbolises the victory of our organisations. The article and caricature only pertain to the proposed Act. Because it was related to anti-superstition, it was called ‘ANIS’s Act’ and it has nothing to do with any particular organisation or person.”

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an assistant editor with The Indian Express with 15 + years of experience in covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has been associated with The Indian Express since 2007. Chandan has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He has done in-depth reporting on the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and hearings of the ‘Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry’. ... Read More

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