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Vitthal Ramji bridge in Pune witnessed an unusual gathering on Saturday. After anti-superstition activist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was shot on the bridge, his followers have been regularly taking out marches beginning from the bridge.
But on the third anniversary of his daylight assassination, an unexpected group of people marched on the same route: it was the Sanatan Sanstha, whose members are accused of plotting the murder!
The first march was organised by the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS), the anti-superstition organisation set up by Dr. Dabholkar. They painted the bridge in black and released black balloons in the air to protest the slow pace of investigations.
The second march began just after the first got over. It was led by hard-line Hindu organisation, Sanatan Sanstha. Two members of the Goa-based Sanstha are accused in the murder cases of Dr Dabholkar and communist leader Govind Pansare.
Same Day, Same Route, Similar Slogans
Sanatan Sanstha’s march in Pune is seen as an attempt to grab media attention as local media had extensively covered protest marches on the first two death anniversaries of Dabholkar. After two of its members were arrested and demand for a ban on the organisation renewed, the media cell of the Sanatan Sanstha has been working overtime. They have been sending detailed daily messages, holding regular press meets and trying to get as much air time as they can.
Sanatan Sanstha not only chose the same day and a similar route as the ANS, but they also raised similar slogans. The famous slogan of ‘aamhi saare Dabhokar’ (we are all Dabholkar) was changed to ‘aamhi saare Sanaatan’ (we are all Sanatan).
While anti-superstition activists demanded justice for Dabholkar, the Sanatan Sanstha demanded justice for the accused, who they believe are innocent.
We are protesting against the wrongful arrests of our men. Even after 72 days, the CBI has not been able to produce any evidence against Dr. Virendra Tawde (who is arrested by CBI in connection with the Dabholkar murder case). No trial has been conducted against Sameer Gaikwad (accused in Pansare murder case) even after filing a charge sheet.Abhay Vartak, Spokesperson, Sanatan Sanstha
Dabholkar camp was reported to be furious with the police as it allowed Sanatan to carry out its padayatra.
What has the Fadnavis government to say about this glorification of people involved in terror acts? He’s also the Home Minister; he should clarify the stand of his government.Hamid Dabholkar, Son of Dr Dabholkar
Left vs Right Polarisation
After back-to-back murders of Dabholkar and Pansare, programmes of Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANS) have become rallying points for all organisations and parties, which they term “anti-fascist”. Activists and leaders of Communist parties, socialist parties, Republican parties, Aam Aadmi Party, labour unions, progressive Muslim organisations as well as members of progressive theatre and film movements were a part of the march.
On the other hand, the Sanatan managed to get local Shiv Sena leaders, Hindu Janajagruti, Goraksha Samiti and over a dozen of lesser known Hindu outfits on its side. Interestingly, apart from two of its members, Sanatan carried placards demanding justice for Sadhvi Pragya and Colonel Purohit, who are backed by the BJP. Slogans were also raised for Hindu Rashta Sena leader Dhananjay Desai, who is accused of rioting and killing Muslim youth in Pune.
Bombay HC slams CBI, SIT
Activists of ANS fear that Virendra Tawde, who is arrested by the CBI in connection with Dr Dabholkar’s murder, will be freed if CBI fails to file a charge sheet within 90 days. Similarly, the Special Investigative Team of Maharashtra police is struggling to find substantial proof against Sameer Gaikwad, who is arrested in connection with Pansare murder case.
Karnataka CID has demanded custody of both Sanatan members as they suspect that the two killed rationalist MM Kalburgi as well.
Family members of Dr Dabholkar allege that the Maharashtra police, which had reportedly resorted to ‘planchet’ to find out murderers, had lost clues as they didn’t act swiftly in the first few hours after the murder.
In the first week of this month, the Bombay High Court had expressed displeasure at the pace at which investigations were proceeding. “If investigations do not conclude fast, it might give an impression to people that you don’t want to arrest certain people,” the court had told CBI and SIT.
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