By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Journalist Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed its utter dismay at the killing of Dr Narendra Dabholkar, a Maharashtra based editor and social reformer, by unidentified gunmen and demanded the authority to nab the culprits for exemplary punishments.
Renowned rationalist Dabholkar, 70, who was the editor of a Marathi weekly titled Sadhana was shot dead in Pune on Tuesday morning reportedly by two men on a motorcycle while he walking nearby Omkareshwar temple. After shooting him at point blank range, the gunmen escaped.
A hardcore campaigner against superstition and black magic in various Indian societies, Dabholkar also founded Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Committee for eradication of blind faith) and single handedly fought for a law against such practices.
The JFA, in a statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, pointed out that the assassination of Dabholkar is another example of ongoing attacks on democratic spirit of India.
The JFA also strongly urged the Maharashtra government to pass its proposed anti-superstition and black magic bill to honour the great reformer, who propagated scientific thoughts based on rationalism among the common people.