Narendra Dabholkar (1945–2013)

Narendra Dabholkar was an Indian physician turned rationalist activist whose life’s work centered on combating superstition and promoting scientific temper. Born in Satara, Maharashtra, Dabholkar became deeply involved in social reform movements during his youth, including anti-caste activism and sports-based youth development. In 1989, he founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANiS), an organization dedicated to exposing fraudulent godmen, black magic, and exploitative rituals. Dabholkar advocated for the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act, which faced fierce opposition from fundamentalist groups. Despite threats, he continued to campaign for scientific thinking, ethical living, and humanist values rooted in equality and compassion. Dabholkar authored numerous books and delivered thousands of lectures promoting rational inquiry. His assassination in 2013 sparked national outrage and ultimately accelerated the passage of the anti-superstition law he championed. Dabholkar’s legacy is enduring: he helped mainstream the rationalist movement in Maharashtra and inspired activists like Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh to continue the fight for secularism and human rights.