CHALO JANTAR MANTAR
Justice for Dabholkar, Pansare, and Kalburgi

Dr. Narendra Dabholkar | Comrade Govind Pansare | Prof. M. M. Kalburgi

July 20 to August 20 | Campaign: “Against Violence, Towards Humanity”

Dear Like-Minded Organizations, Political Parties, Institutions, Colleagues, Members, Friends, and Comrades,

As you are well aware, Dr. Narendra Dabholkar—renowned rationalist and founding Chairman of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS)—was brutally murdered in Pune on August 20, 2013. Shortly after, on February 16, 2015, Comrade Govind Pansare, another prominent social activist and progressive thinker, was shot and later succumbed to his injuries on February 20, 2015. Nearly 17 months have passed since then. On August 30, 2015, another intellectual, Prof. M. M. Kalburgi, was assassinated; the investigation into his murder is currently being handled by the Karnataka State CID.

Regrettably, there has been very little progress following the arrest of one suspect each in the Pansare and Dabholkar murder cases. In Prof. Kalburgi’s case, there has been no progress at all. The prime suspects arrested in the Dabholkar and Pansare cases—Dr. Virendrasinh Tawde and Sameer Gaikwad—are members of Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. However, neither the state government nor the central government has taken a clear stand or announced a policy regarding these organizations, despite their apparent involvement in terrorist activities.

MANS strongly protests the apathy, irresponsibility, and insensitivity of the government and investigating agencies. Nearly 34 months after Dr. Dabholkar’s murder, the investigation has still not reached a conclusive outcome. We condemn Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti—fundamentalist, right-wing organizations that spread hatred and are reportedly involved in terrorist activities, including the Goa bomb blast and the assassinations of progressive thinkers.

We are organizing a national and international protest campaign titled “Against Violence, Towards Humanity,” which will launch in Delhi on July 20, 2016, and run until August 20, 2016. The campaign will conclude in Pune on August 20, 2016, with a mass demonstration joined by all like-minded organizations. We urge everyone to participate in this protest with full strength.