Undeterred by the brutal ending of their father’s life, Hamid and Mukta, the children of slain rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar have vowed to resurrect his work and life’s mission with a month-long drive starting September 2. The siblings were speaking at a convention in Pune and said that the drive envisaged a vigorous interaction with college students in the state to make them an integral part of the reformist movement.
While urging the state government to put in place a mechanism to support and implement the provisions of the law expected to be enacted in the Winter Session of the Legislature, Mukta said, “There is no alternative to a strong organisational network which he had created, to carry on the mission of inculcating scientific temperament opposed to a retrograde social mindset.”
Eminent film and stage actor Shriram Lagoo was also present on the occasion and he administered a solemn pledge to champion the cause of social reforms and promote rational thought. Lagoo, a close associate of Dr Dabholkar, fought back tears as activists of various progressive groups assembled to discuss the further course of the anti-superstition movement.
Mukta, a social scientist, said, “After the murder of my father, I have observed that the voice of reason and rationalism has reached the common citizen.”
The office of Sadhana magazine, of which Dr Dabholkar was editor, on Friday received an anonymous letter warning the activists of anti-superstition movement of dire consequences if they did not stop “hurting religious sentiments” of people. It has been handed over to the police.
Meanwhile, CM Prithviraj Chavan while speaking at a condolence meeting for the slain rationalist, at Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday evening said, “We are making concerted efforts. We are doing everything possible to nab the killers and the kingpin behind the murder.”