Expedite probe into killings of four activists: Civil society

A Maharashtra-based civil society today urged the government to speedily probe the case of killings of Gauri Lankesh, Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare and M M Kalburgi who were allegedly targeted for speaking against the right-wing forces.

The Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti launched the "Jawab Do" movement from July 20 to August 20 to protest against the government's "intolerance, unconstitutional and unscientific approach".

The organisation today marched from Sapru House to Jantar Mantar, asking the government to speedily probe the cases.

The committee has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to order a speedy probe into the cases.

"The main conspirators in these killings are associated with Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagran Samiti. There seems a lack of political will behind the procrastination of the investigation. Investigation agencies have failed in revealing the conspirators and to collect evidences to make the case strong," said Avinash Patil, Executive President of the Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (Maharashtra blind faith eradication committee).

The committee has also sought an inquiry into activities of Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagran Samiti.

Describing the recent incident of mass suicide by 11 members of the Chundawat family in north Delhi's Burari as a type of superstition, the committee has urged the Centre to bring in a "law against superstitious and blind faith".

Professor Pramod Ganganmale, a member of the committee, said they want the government to inculcate 'scientific temper' in new generation through education curriculum.

"On behalf of the All India People's Science Network and Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti, it is proposed to recognise August 20 as National Scientific Temper Day which commemorates the day Narendra Dabholkar was killed in 2013," he said.