Enraged over the brutal murder of renowned rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, Punekars on Wednesday observed a total bandh, even as an “under-pressure” Congress-led DF Government decided to promulgate an Ordinance aimed at eradicating black magic, evil and aghori practices — a cause that the slain activist had crusaded for all his life.
A day after the 69-year-old anti-superstition campaigner was shot dead by two unidentified motor bicycle-riding assailants while he was on a morning walk on the Omkareshwar bridge in Pune, the erstwhile city of Peshwas seethed with anger over the dastardly killing of Dabholkar.
There was vehement clamour among the people for the immediate arrest of culprits behind the shocking crime and enactment of the much-delayed legislation against black magic, blind faith and superstition.
Under flak from various quarters for failure to fulfil Dabholkar’s prolonged demand for a legislation aimed at eradicating black magic, evil and superstitious practices like human sacrifices, the DF Government decided to promulgate an Ordinance against black magic, blind faith and superstition, instead of waiting till the Winter Session of the State legislature to table a Bill.
At a weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan, the State Government decided to request Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan to promulgate an Ordinance in this regard in the next few days on the basis of a draft legislation that the Government had already readied. The State Government would convert the Ordinance into a formal Bill which it will table in the Winter Session of the legislature to be held in Nagpur in December this year.
Known for its progressive and liberal outlook, the otherwise gentle Pune reacted vociferously to Dabholkar’s shocking murder, a crime which in some ways was akin to the sensational killing of General Arun Shridhar Vaidya, who was shot dead in broad-day light by Khalistani terrorists Jinda and Sukha way back on August 10, 1989.
No wonder that the bandh called by all political parties to condemn Dabolkar’s killing elicited a total response from people from different strata of society. While shops, hotels and all other business establishments remained closed, people from different walks of life took to streets to vent their anger.
Displaying photographs of slain activist and placards carrying slogans like ‘Me Dabholkar, Tu Dabholkar’ (I am Dabholkar, you are Dabolkar), ‘Dabolkar Amar Rahe’ and ‘Enactment of anti-black magic Bill is real tribute for Dabholkar’, the protesters marched from near the office of Sadhana, a Marathi magazine devoted to the propagation of progressive thought that the slain activist edited, and also from other parts of Pune.
One of the huge morchas taken out by the protesters — comprising students, social activists and people from different strata of society — converged at lokmanya Tilak statue at Mahatma Phule Bhaji Mandai where the a rally was held to condemn the killing of Dabholkar. Another morcha converged at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) where a public meeting was held to pay tributes to late Dabholkar.
Similarly, socialist and voluntary organisations held another public meeting at the SM Joshi auditorium later in the evening to condemn Dahbholkar’s murder and pay homage to him.
Meanwhile, the chastened DF Government decided to push through the much-delayed Dabholkar-advocated legislation against black magic, evil and aghori practices in the form of an ordinance, unmindful of the opposition to opposition to it from right-wing outfits.
Having drafted a Bill banning acts of black magic, superstitions and blind rituals like human sacrifices in the early nineties, Dabholkar had unsuccessfully been lobbying with all political parties and influential groups since then for its early passage in the State legislature. While the radical right groups and Warkari community members had voiced serious opposition to the bill, some political parties — including Shiv Sena and BJP — had some reservations over certain provisions in the legislation.
So much so that Dabholkar had attended every session of the State legislature since 2003, when the Bill was first tabled in the Assembly, to lobby for its passage with the ruling and the Opposition parties. The proposed legislation has since gone through several drafts, with political parties suggesting as many as 29 amendments.
Owing to lack of consensus among the political parties, the Congress-led DF Government has so far failed in enacting the Maharashtra Eradication of Black magic and Evil and Aghori Practices Bill, a legislation aimed at protecting common people against the evil and sinister practices and customs, including black magic practised by quacks.
Making the most of the emerging mood in favour of the early passage of the much-discussed legislation, the hither to dithering DF Government has now decided to promulgate an Ordinance without waiting for the tabling of a Bill in the State legislature.