Narendra Dabholkar, rationalist and a staunch crusader against superstition, was shot dead by unknown assailants early this morning in Pune. No arrests have been made so far.
The social activist, who was killed on Omkareshwar bridge while on his morning walk, was the founder of the Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti, an organisation that spearheaded a movement against blind faith and superstition.
He was also at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra Government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic Bill and edited
Dabholkar was shot in the head by assailants on a motorcycle at around 7.15 a.m.. He was found in a pool of blood on the bridge and succumbed to his injuries at the Sasson Hospital.
The Maharashtra Government has declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information on the assailants.