Children organise meet to take ahead father's movement

Late anti-superstition activist Dr Narendra Dabholkar's son anddaughter Hamid and Mukta were in Pune to attend the resolution meet organised by the Rashtraseva Dal to carry forward the incomplete work of their father.

For justice: u00a0Mukta and Hamid Dabholkar address the media after meeting Commissioner Gulabrao Pol on Wednesday. Pic/Sachin Thakare

Mukta said that the Maharashtra Andhashradhha Nirmulan Samiti has many branches in several villages across the state and that all volunteers have been asked to help the police with the investigations. Dr Hamid said that he would be travelling across the state to talk to thousands of Maharashtra Andhshradha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) volunteers to ensure that Dabholkar's work is continued.

Meeting for a cause
All volunteers are eagerly waiting for the killers to get arrested. The meet was attended by hundreds of Dabholkar's followers. "We have organised the meet to pay homage to Dabholkar to carry the movement ahead as this would be a true homage to him. The purpose of the movement is to eradicate blind faith," said social activist Rajiya Patel.

Human rights activist Aseem Sarode said that there is a dire need to create a law against blind faith. Sarode said, "The anti-superstition ordinance has been passed but has not been made into an act yet. Now, the government has to help turn it into an act. There are many advocates, who really want to do something for society; these like-minded advocates have decided to come forward to spread awareness about this act. It is important to implement the act."

Mukta Dabholkar said, "There are lots of people who are aware about the condition of society and the people benefiting from superstition. My brother and I will be volunteers in this movement and do everything our father ever wished for."

While speaking to MiD DAY about the suspected person or organisation in Dr Dabholkar's murder, Mukta Dabholkar said, "MANS is spread across Maharashtra and its work has definitely hurt many organisations and people. So there are many people who have a reason to kill my father. We don't have anyone to name. Volunteers have been asked to communicate with the police if they feel they have certain clues about the murder."

The Rastraseva Dal has decided to go ahead with a month-long meeting with volunteers fighting for rationalism. It will start on September 2 and will go on till October 2. "At the end of these visits there will be a big rally for all volunteers to put pressure on the government," said Abhijeet Vaidya of the Rastraseva Dal.u00a0
Mukta and Hamid Dabholkar visited the commissioner of police to learn about the progress made by the police in the murder case. After the meeting Hamid said, "The police don't have any leads and we are sad and agitated over this. We have requested eyewitnesses to come forward. This would help us get to the bottom of the case."

Talking about the CID/CBI investigation, Hamid said that they have faith in theu00a0city police, but they would be happier if the murderer is arrested sooner.u00a0