Mumbai:
NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad has received a letter threatening to kill him, purportedly from an outfit which says it firmly believes in the ideology of Nathuram Godse.
Interestingly, the letter also refers to gunning down of anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar and veteran CPI leader Govind Pansare whose killers are still untraced.
Awhad, who represents Mumbra-Kalwa Assembly constituency, had served as a minister for medical education in the previous Democratic Front (DF) government in Maharashtra and reportedly has the ear of party chief Sharad Pawar.
The letter which Awhad has received at his home through post is purportedly sent by ‘Nathuram Vichar Manch’ and bears the postal stamp of Airoli node of Navi Mumbai.
The letter written in Marathi reads: “Hey Nathuram Chakra Ahe. Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare... aata number Jitendra Awhad apla ahe. Tumcha nikal lawkar lagel. Ha Maharashtra Sri Nathuram Godse vicharsaranicha ahe, he amhala patvun dyaycha ahe. Hi amchi bandhilki ahe. He patra navhe pratidnyapatra ahe. (After Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare it’s now your turn Mr. Awhad. You will be dealt with soon. We want to make you understand that this Maharashtra believes in ideology of Nathuram Godse. This is our commitment. This is not a letter but our pledge.”)
When contacted, senior inspector, DB Pagare of Naupada police station confirmed receipt of the letter and said police have taken the matter seriously.
The letter is investigated and the matter is reported to acting police commissioner of Thane, VV Laxminarayana, he said.
Pagare said Awhad had received threats earlier also but this threat is from a different organisation.
Narendra Dabholkar (68), who spearheaded the campaign against superstition throughout his life, was shot dead on August 20, 2013 in Pune during his morning walk by unidentified assailants.
The murder, which sent shock waves in the state, has set police on a wild-goose chase and the case is still unsolved though the probe was later handed over to CBI.
Names of some right-wing outfits had initially cropped up in the investigations.
Pansare (82), along with his wife, was fired upon by unidentified assailants near his home in Kolhapur last month. He later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in Mumbai.
Awhad was not available for comment despite repeated efforts.
