TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Former home minister Ravi Naik has hit out at Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for his silence on the Sanatan Sanstha, which is under the scanner in connection with the murder of anti-superstition activist, Dr Narendra Dhabolkar.
It may be recalled that Dr Dhabolkar was gunned down by unidentified persons in Pune on August 20 and since then, Pune Police is investigating into the alleged role of Sanatan Sanstha.
As part of its investigations, the Pune Police had visited Sanatan Sanstha Ashram at Ramnathi-Bandora in Ponda taluka on two occasions. During their first visit, Pune Police team detained a Sadhak who was later released, while on September 15, the Pune Police team questioned its office bearers, apart from seeking details from the inward-outward registers.
“When the Sanatan Sanstha’s role was being probed by the State police in the Margao bomb blast case in 2009, Parrikar who was then opposition leader was silent on the issue. There was clear evidence of Sanatan Sanstha’s involvement in the Margao blast case as the deceased, who is alleged to have ferried the bomb to Margao, was a Sanatan Sadhak,” said Naik, while responding to media queries on the sidelines of a programme at Shree Zareshwar Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, old bus stand, Ponda.
Naik also criticised PWD Minster Sudin Dhavlikar for stating that Sanatan Sanstha was being dragged into such controversies only because of politicians.
“This is not right. Have politicians told them to plant a bomb at Margao or did they (politicians) provide them with the bomb,” asked Naik.
When asked if the State government should ban the Sanatan Sanstha in the State, Naik replied: “Any religious or social outfit which are involved in spreading religious hatred or involved in anti-national activities should be banned.”
