Narendra Dabholkar murder: Suspect`s sketch released; bandh in Pune

Zee Media Bureau

Pune: Political parties have called for a bandh in Pune on Wednesday a day after renowned anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead by some unknown assailants. The brutal murder of Dabholkar, who was well-known for his campaign for a law against superstition and black magic, sparked an outrage here and his hometown Satara in Maharashtra. In view of the bandh, all autorickshaws will also stay off the roads today. The 70-year-old was on his morning walk when he was shot near the Omkareshwar Bridge in the city by some gunmen on a motorcycle. The police said four shots were fired at him at close range, two of which hit him in the back of his head. The Pune police also later released the sketches of the suspected assailants, believed to be in the age group of 20-25 years. Shortly after the news spread, thousands took to streets to pay tribute to a man loved and respected for his campaign against superstition and self-appointed godmen. The Maharashtra government has also announced a reward of Rs.10 lakh for any information on the murder. The Congress government in the state called it a planned killing and slammed the police for failing to protect the senior activist. Dr Dabholkar`s murder comes days after the Maharashtra government assured that it would introduce the anti-superstition Bill - opposed by many rightwing groups as "anti-Hindu." It was his campaign that led the state government to draft the Bill.