Crusader against superstition shot dead

Pune (PTI): In a setback to the progressive movement in Maharashtra, leading anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while he was out on a morning walk on Tuesday. Dabholkar known for his over two-decade long campaign against outdated and inhuman social practices, was currently engaged in mobilising public opinion and holding discussions with Maharashtra government for passing an 'anti-superstition and black magic' law in the state legislature, opposed by certain sections of the society, including the Warkari sect. 69-year-old Dabholkar, who headed the 'Andhashraddha Nirluman Samiti' (anti-superstition movement), was out for a morning walk when two motorcycle-borne unidentified assailants fired two bullets from close range into his head from behind, police said quoting an eyewitness. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan condemned the killing and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh to person giving information about the culprits