<p>Supporters of Narendra Dabholkar's rationalist movement will now seek support of various political parties to press for a law in states to eradicate superstition-based malpractices.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A delegation of Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), the anti-superstition organisation founded by Dabholkar - who was shot dead here last month - will visit Delhi next week and speak to political leaders to garner support for their mission.<br /><br />Encouraged by the positive response being seen in Maharashtra with the promulgation of the anti-black magic ordinance, MANS activists, including Anish Patwardhan, son-in- law of the slain rationalist, will also have an interaction with the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in order to mobilise public opinion and change social mindset.<br /><br />The state government promulgated the ordinance, a long -standing demand of Dabholkar, a day after the noted social activist was gunned down by unidentified men on August 20.<br /><br />"We have our schedule fixed for an interaction with JNU students and faculty as the institution is known to be a vibrant centre of rational thought. Also on the agenda are meetings with the Left party leaders, including D Raja (CPI), in an endeavour to create awareness in all states for enactment of anti-superstition laws," Patwardhan said.<br /><br />He said after Maharashtra became the first state to issue the anti-superstition ordinance, expected to ratified by the legislature in the winter session, Tamil Nadu and Assam governments, too, have evinced keen interest in enactment of a similar law which was a positive sign to take the rationalist movement forward and make it nation-wide.<br /><br />In Maharashtra, post-ordinance, a large number of people had started coming out and lodged complaints against quacks and conmen who cheated them taking advantage of their ignorance and superstitious beliefs, Patwardhan said.</p>
<p>Supporters of Narendra Dabholkar's rationalist movement will now seek support of various political parties to press for a law in states to eradicate superstition-based malpractices.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A delegation of Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), the anti-superstition organisation founded by Dabholkar - who was shot dead here last month - will visit Delhi next week and speak to political leaders to garner support for their mission.<br /><br />Encouraged by the positive response being seen in Maharashtra with the promulgation of the anti-black magic ordinance, MANS activists, including Anish Patwardhan, son-in- law of the slain rationalist, will also have an interaction with the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in order to mobilise public opinion and change social mindset.<br /><br />The state government promulgated the ordinance, a long -standing demand of Dabholkar, a day after the noted social activist was gunned down by unidentified men on August 20.<br /><br />"We have our schedule fixed for an interaction with JNU students and faculty as the institution is known to be a vibrant centre of rational thought. Also on the agenda are meetings with the Left party leaders, including D Raja (CPI), in an endeavour to create awareness in all states for enactment of anti-superstition laws," Patwardhan said.<br /><br />He said after Maharashtra became the first state to issue the anti-superstition ordinance, expected to ratified by the legislature in the winter session, Tamil Nadu and Assam governments, too, have evinced keen interest in enactment of a similar law which was a positive sign to take the rationalist movement forward and make it nation-wide.<br /><br />In Maharashtra, post-ordinance, a large number of people had started coming out and lodged complaints against quacks and conmen who cheated them taking advantage of their ignorance and superstitious beliefs, Patwardhan said.</p>