Art exhibition in Mumbai celebrates the life, works and trial of Narendra Dabholkar

Till humanity survives, Dr. Dabholkar’s steps will be etched in history, says actor Naseeruddin Shah

An art exhibition titled ‘We are on trial’ was inaugurated by actor Naseeruddin Shah in Mumbai on the life, work and trial of rationalist late Dr. Narendra Dabholkar.

Besides the thespian actor, Dr. Dabholkar’s wife Dr. Shaila, daughter Mukta and advocate Abhay Nevagi, were also present at the inauguration. Mr. Nevagi has been fighting the legal battle for the Dabholkar family.

The exhibition showcases art work by students of Sir JJ School of Arts and has been organised by a group called, Friends of Dabholkar which constitutes working women journalists. Inaugurated on Friday, it is open for visitors at YB Chavan Center till November 1, when Dr. Dabholkar would have turned 77.

Mr. Shah said, “I did not know about Dr. Dabholkar and his work but after I learnt about what he was doing, I was surprised to discover that a man can value his belief more than his own life.” He added, “I am proud to have lived at a time when Dr. Dabholkar lived. Till humanity survives, Dr. Dabholkar’s steps will be etched in history as time passes, rather than fading away.”

On August 20, 2013, three bullets were fired at Dr. Dabholkar, when he was on his morning walk at Pune’s Vitthal Ramji Shinde Bridge. He was scheduled to address a press conference later in the day to advocate for an eco-friendly Ganesha festival. One of the paintings at the exhibition is on eco-friendly Ganapati as Dr. Dabholkar and his associates were the first to propose this during the 10-day Ganesha festivities in Maharashtra.

Recounting her husband’s routine Dr. Shaila Dabholkar said, “Narendra is always there with us. He always told me to keep fighting for what is right.” She said he used to receive a lot of threats and would say he would dodge the bullets fired at him by jumping sideways as he was a kabaddi player.

It’s been nine years since the murder and trial is going on against Sanatan Sanstha functionaries Dr. Virendrasinh Tawade, Sachin Andure, and Sharad Kalaskar along with Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad advocate Sanjeev Punalekar (out on bail) and Vikram Bhave (on bail).