The morning of 20th August, 2013, began quietly, as a man set out for a walk with his wife. But as they passed the Omkareshwar temple, their peaceful stroll turned into a nightmare – he was gunned down in cold blood. Now, more than a decade later, justice remains elusive and his killers roam free. Narendra Dabholkar, a fearless crusader against superstition and blind faith, was silenced that day, but his legacy lives on.
Narendra Dabholkar founded Maharashtra Andhashradhha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) in 1989. By the time of his tragic death, he had addressed thousands of public gatherings, exposing the tricks behind so-called miracles. MANS even issued a bold challenge to the godmen: replicate the miracles and claim a reward of 21 lakh rupees. The reward remains unclaimed.
“Scientific temperament is a process of thinking, method of action, search of truth, way of life, spirit of a free man.”― Narendra Dabholkar, in The Case for Reason: Volume One: Understanding the Anti-superstition Movement
Although he was an atheist himself, Dabholkar did not oppose people’s belief in god or religion. Instead, he fought against the exploitation of faith through fraudulent practices. In this spirit, MANS advocated for the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Bill. Ultimately, Dabholkar’s assassination became the catalyst for the bill’s passage, and the bill was speedily passed, a grim irony that underscored the dangers he faced in his fight for rational thinking and justice.
His work as a rationalist led to the creation of the landmark law in 2013: Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act (2013). This law aimed to protect citizens from being victims of barbaric practices like human sacrifice, witch hunts, and exploitation by fraudulent godmen. Dabholkar’s relentless advocacy for the law gave voice to those who lived in constant terror of being accused of witchcraft or other imagined “evils,” and his assassination created a void – that has only intensified the need for such progressive reforms.
The act represents not just a legal victory but a symbolic one. It shows that the tide of irrationality could be turned back, that the voices for reason could make tangible differences in people’s lives. Yet, Dabholkar’s death revealed the harsh reality: such laws are only as strong as the resolve of a society to uphold them. The battle against superstition is not merely one of legislation, but of culture, mindset, and public will.
Dabholkar’s murder was not an isolated tragedy but rather part of a growing pattern of violence against those who spoke out against superstition. In 2015, Kolhapur lost one of its most vocal reformers, Govind Pansare, to a brutal attack. A tireless advocate for equality, Pansare stood against caste discrimination and superstition in his hometown, carrying forward the legacy of Shahu Maharaj. His death was a devastating blow to those who sought to challenge oppressive cultural norms and bring progress to marginalized communities.
That same year, M. M. Kalburgi, another a respected scholar and writer was assassinated in his home by unknown assailants. Kalburgi believed that intellectual freedom was the foundation of a just and free society. His writings, which questioned religious orthodoxy and dogma, resonated far beyond academia, inspiring ordinary people to question the status quo. His murder was a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak the truth.
Two years later, Gauri Lankesh, a Bengaluru-based journalist, was murdered at gunpoint outside her home. Lankesh was a staunch critic of authoritarianism and a defender of marginalized voices. She saw journalism as a tool for social change, wielding the pen as a weapon against injustice. Her unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power made her a target.
As history foretells, these deaths were not random acts of violence. They were deliberate attacks — on those who envisioned a society governed by reason, evidence, and truth; a society free from the tyranny of fear and superstition. Yet their murders leave us with a haunting question: what are we, as a society, doing to ensure that the ideals they fought and died for do not perish with them?
MANS-like organizations have long existed in other parts of the country, fighting for bringing in anti-superstition laws in every state in India. After Maharashtra, some other states passed their own versions of the anti-superstition law.
While Maharashtra’s landmark law against superstition was a victory for reason, its implementation tells a different story. Conviction rates remain disappointingly low, and the so-called ‘deterrence effect’ of the law struggles against deeply ingrained beliefs. Loopholes in the Act, designed to tolerate harmless cultural practices, could be exploited to shield harmful superstitions, undermining its intent. This just highlights the fact that without a cultural shift that promotes scientific temper and rational thought, even the strongest laws risk being reduced to mere symbols.
Yet, the threats to rationalists persist. As recently as 2023, Shyam Manav, the founder of Akhil Bharatiya Andhashradhha Nirmulan Samiti (ABANS) faced death-threats for his statements against Bageshwar Dham headman Dhirendra Shastri. Many others, whose voices go unheard, are forced into silence by an unsafe environment. This continuing violence shows that the fight is far from over.
Dabholkar’s law did make significant strides, but it is up to the rest of us to ensure that its spirit is not lost. The Anti-superstition and Black Magic Act should not be just a symbol of potential, but a living testament to an ongoing fight for justice. In the absence of their voices, it is now our turn to stand in their place. Their sacrifice must ignite a broader cultural awakening—a recognition that the fight for reason is not just about policy or law, but about changing the very fabric of our society. It is about making science, critical thinking, and free thought everyday realities, not distant goals.
References
- Pune Mirror. “MANS Issues Open Challenge to State’s Astrologers over Their Predictions.” Pune Mirror, April 22, 2017. https://punemirror.com/pune/civic/mans-issues-open-challenge-to-states-astrologers-over-their/cid5123148.htm.
- The Mooknayak. “The Shadows of Witch Hunts: Caste and Gender Dynamics Demand Central Legislation.” The Mooknayak, December 28, 2022. https://en.themooknayak.com/women-news/in-the-shadows-of-witch-hunts-caste-and-gender-dynamics-demand-central-legislation.
- Scroll Staff. “Meet the Rationalist Who Challenged the Controversial Priest of Bageshwar Dham.” Scroll.in, February 19, 2023. https://scroll.in/article/1043960/meet-the-rationalist-who-challenged-the-controversial-priest-of-bageshwar-dham.
Further Reading
- Maharashtra Andhashradhha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) Official Website: mans.org.in
- Shyam Manav’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShyamManav
- https://www.abans.org.in/bhumika
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