IBNLive:
Kolhapur: Sunday, 22 February 2015.
Kolhapur has
nurtured several rationalist movements but on 16 February 2015, the progressive
image of the city was dented when rationalist Govind Pansare and his wife were
attacked by two unidentified gunmen.
Activist Uday
Narkar said, "Kolhapur has been called the home turf of progressive
movements. Comrade Pansare has been insisting that it is no longer so. Over the
last few decades the reactionary forces, rabid specifically Hindutva forces
have gained grounds in Kolhapur and neighbouring areas."
A 2013 CHRI
report suggests that 53 Right to Information Act activists had been attacked in
the state, the most in the country since the law came into being in 2005. But
despite these attacks and the depleting support base, activists are optimistic.
CPI State
Secretary Dr Bhalchandra Kango said, "There is a feeling of sadness that
people from rationalist school of thought are being eliminated. But look at the
larger picture they are being attacked because they are making a dent into the
power of ruling class. They are scared. That means we are making an impact and
this is our strength."
With the
state failing to nab the murderers of Narendra Dabholkar, the question remains
will they be able to crack this case?
"The
state is seen as protector of murderers. Credibility of the state is low"
Narkar said.
Maharashtra
has always been known as a progressive state but the recent attacks have
tarnished this image.
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