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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
MANS again questions CBI for not appealing acquittals in Dabholkar murder case
The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) on Wednesday has once again questioned why the Central Bureau of Investigation has not appealed the acquittal of three accused in the murder case of Dr Narendra Dabholkar in the High Court. Two accused Sharad Kalaskar and Sachin Andure were found guilty for the murder by a special Pune court in May 2024, but Virendrasinh Tawde, Sanjeev Punalekar and Vikram Bhave were acquitted due to lack of evidence. All accused have links to Sanatan Sanstha. Dabholkar's family had termed the delay in filing the appeal 'inexcusable' in August 2024 as well. At a press conference in Pune on Wednesday presided by Dabholkar's son Dr Hamid Dabholkar, Milind Deshmukh, Nandini Jadhav, Shripal Lalwani, and Anil Velhal, MANS claimed that the masterminds of the murder are still at large and no efforts are being made by the government to arrest them. It said that the court's observation 'Dr Narendra Dabholkar's murder was a well-planned conspiracy to end his ideas' was being ignored. It claimed that action was not being taken against masterminds in the murder cases of Govind Pansare, Prof M Kalburgi, and journalist Gauri Lankesh too. MANS highlighted that the threat to rational activists will remain unchanged until the masterminds are caught. The organisation also demanded that the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act, which was enacted in Maharashtra after the murder of Dabholkar, must be implemented across the country, keeping in mind the increasing incidents of witchcraft across the country. This year, the Dr Narendra Dabholkar Memorial Lecture will be delivered by retired Supreme Court Judge Abhay Oak on the topic 'The Constitution of India and Scientific Perspective'. on August 17 at 6 pm at the Sane Guruji Smarak on Sinhagad Road. Retired Supreme Court Judge Hemant Gokhale will preside over the event. A set of 5 books on Dr Dabholkar will be launched by former IPS officer Meeran Chadda-Borwankar on August 20 at 6 pm at the same location. Sharad Baviskar, JNU professor and author of the famous autobiography Bhura, and Prabhakar Nanavati, editor of Narendra Dabholkar Granthamala, will be present as the chief guests.
The Print
23-07-2025
- General
- The Print
Breaking barriers: Anti-superstition body launches inter-caste matchmaking centre
The service is open to individuals and families who voluntarily support inter-caste and interfaith marriages and registration at the centre is free, said Hamid, who is the son of slain rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar. Claiming it to be the first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti member Hamid Dabholkar told PTI on Wednesday that it is a part of the organisation's long-standing mission to promote rationalism and social equality. Pune, Jul 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti has launched an inter-caste and interfaith matchmaking centre, to dismantle caste and religious barriers and offer hope to people seeking life partners beyond such boundaries, a representative of the anti-superstition body said. 'There have been attempts to create rifts within communities and faiths in the state as well as across the country. It is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals seeking partners beyond the boundaries of caste or religion. This initiative aims to offer support and hope to such individuals,' he said. Shankar Kanse, the state coordinator of the matchmaking centre, and another coordinator Dr Dnyandev Sarvade appealed to prospective brides, grooms and their parents to register at the facility. 'Once registered, suitable matches will be suggested based on mutual preferences, and a verification process will ensure decisions are made with informed consent. Couples are also encouraged to marry under the Special Marriage Act or through Satyashodhak rituals,' said Kanse. The matchmaking centre not only supports inter-caste and interfaith unions, but also welcomes applications from widows and widowers looking to remarry, he added. 'Dr Narendra Dabholkar believed that caste is the biggest superstition, and inter-caste marriages can be a powerful tool to annihilate the caste system. We have launched the initiative with this belief,' Kanse said. He claimed the MANS operates Maharashtra's first 'Safe House' for inter-caste and interfaith couples, located in Satara district, providing them with temporary shelter and protection. 'So far, in the past year, around 18 couples have availed the Safe House facility in Satara,' he said. In addition to providing temporary shelter, the MANS also extends legal aid and works towards reconciliation with the families of such couples, Kanse said. The state government has also established safe houses in various districts, often within government guest houses or quarters, to provide shelter and security to inter-caste and interfaith couples facing threats or violence. PTI SPK GK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
MANS launches intercaste, interfaith matchmaking service
Slain rationalist and anti superstition crusader Dr Narendra Dabholkar used to say, 'caste is one of the biggest superstitions'. And on Tuesday when Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), founded by Dr Dabholkar, launched its interfaith and intercaste matchmaking service in Maharashtra, it took a step towards giving his vision a new dimension, said his son Dr Hamid. The unique, free matchmaking service is an expansion of an existing initiative of MANS of running a safe house for intercaste and interfaith marriage couples at Satara. 'The idea of launching an intercaste and interfaith matchmaking service started taking shape around six months ago. Since it is a service of a sensitive nature, we took time to do the groundwork and we are finally launching it today,' said Dr Hamid speaking to The Indian Express. 'As Dr Narendra Dabholkar believed that caste was a major form of superstition, MANS has actively worked on this issue. Our fight and efforts for a legislative framework against caste panchayats, facilitating intercaste and interfaith wedding ceremonies and the initiative of a safe house for interfaith and intercaste marriage couples, are in keeping with his vision,' said Dr Hamid. A press statement from MANS issued in this regard on Tuesday read, 'On the back of the atmosphere of rifts in castes and religions, finding a life partner beyond these boundaries has become extremely difficult for those who genuinely wish to do so. MANS has launched a state-level interfaith and intercaste matchmaking service as a constructive initiative to bring down these social walls.' 'The service will facilitate intercaste, interfaith marriage including those of widow-widower and those who have divorced. Those seeking to get married are requested to send their detailed information to the centre's coordinators: Shankar Kanse, Pimpri, Taluka Koregaon, District Satara – contact: 99223 55435 and Dr Dnyandev Sarvade, Baramati – contact: 95277 21475 to avail the service.' the release stated. 'At this matchmaking centre, once prospective brides, grooms, or their parents register, appropriate matches will be suggested. After a profile is submitted, a verification will be done to ensure that the individual has made their decision thoughtfully and voluntarily. The centre advises couples to register their marriages under the Special Marriage Act and in line with Satyashodhak principles. This registration service is provided free of cost. Alternatively, they may also reach out to local activists of MANS in their village or town,' the statement read. (The Marathi poster of matchmaking service)
