Saroj Patil, wife of late N D Patil, to lead ANiS

Kolhapur: Saroj Patil, the 83-year-old wife of late N D Patil — one of the tallest figures in the progressive activism of Maharashtra recently passed away — will now lead the state's largest anti-superstition eradication forum called Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANiS).
The ANiS members unanimously decided to make Saroj Patil, fondly called ‘Mai’, the president of the organisation set up by Narendra Dabholkar, the anti-superstition crusader who was murdered a few years ago.
N D Patil held the post of founding president of the forum for several years. Patil had also supported Dabholkar throughout and helped him get the Anti-superstition Eradication Bill passed by the state legislature in its final shape.
Mai told TOI: “My personal views and the views of the forum are the same. My parents and other family members were staunch supporters of rationalism. While I was a teacher, I helped inculcate rational thoughts among students. However, the position I am given holds immense importance, and I cannot run away from doing my duties towards the activism.”
Mai is also NCP president Sharad Pawar's sister. She said that she spoke to her brother, who encouraged her to accept the new responsibility. She said the women from the society are falling into the trap of superstitious beliefs, and a woman leading an anti-superstition eradication forum will certainly make a difference.