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Social organisations and political parties cutting across the spectrum condemned Dabholkar’s death. Various organisations have given a call for a bandh in Pune on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Prithviiraj Chavan said it was a planned attack against Dabholkar and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone giving information on Dabholkar's murder.
State Home Minister R R Patil said the investigation would be carried out by the Pune crime branch.
“The incident is a blot on the state police and the government," said Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar. Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar condemned the killing of Dabholkar, describing him as a dedicated, selfless social activist who was committed to promoting progressive thinking.
The 69-year-old activist, who headed the Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti (anti-superstition movement), was on his morning walk when he was shot dead near the Omkareshwar bridge in the city by motorcycle-borne gunmen.
The police said four shots were fired at close range, two of which hit Dabholkar in the back of his head.
The murder comes days after the Maharashtra government assured it would introduce the anti-superstition Bill. However, the government could not do so during the recently-concluded monsoon session of the legislature, following strong opposition from certain sections of society, including the Warkari community.
