Nagpur : Hindu Organisations to stage agitation against Anti-Superstitions Bill on 17 December

Kartik Amawasya, Kaliyug Varsha 5114

Warkaris and pro-Hindu organizations insistent about cancellation of the proposed anti-superstitions Act

Nagpur (Maharashtra) : There are no misunderstandings about the Bill against superstitions, human sacrifice and black magic, 2011  [Anti-superstitions Bill] proposed to be passed by Maharashtra Government amongst the Warkaris and religious people. Legal advice has been obtained from senior legal experts practicing in High Court to Supreme Court and the Bill is being opposed after due study undertaken from the viewpoint of protection of Dharma; whereas the Government has been misleading journalists and people by claiming that modifications have been carried out in the Bill by the Government and objections raised by Warkaris have been removed.

The Bill, that was presented in the year 2005, has been presented again in the year 2011 only by changing its title. Clause 13 and many more clauses are highly objectionable and attack Dharma; therefore, the Bill prepared by atheists by obtaining funds from abroad, will never be tolerated by people as it is an attempt of the Government to pass anti-Dharma Act.  Agitation will be staged near Hislop College in Nagpur between 12.00 noon and 5.00 p.m. on 17^th December 2012 by Warkaris and pro-Hindu organizations for cancellation of the said oppressive Act which was declared by them in the press conference. H.B.P. Devrao Maharaj Vanave, the Secretary of ‘Rashtriya Warkari Sena’, H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Raokar, its President for Konkan region, “Rashtriya Keertankar’ H.B.P. Shyambuva Dhumakekar, Shiv Sena’s Vidarbha Coordinator, Mr. Ramesh Bakshi, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s national spokesperson, Mr. Ramesh Shinde, ISKON’s Shri. Paramatma Prabhu, Bharat Swabhiman Sanghatan’s in-charge Mr. Vasishtha Oza, advocate Raghav Kavimandan, Sanatan Sanstha’s Mr. Shrikant Kshirsagar and chief office bearers of other religious organizations were present in the press conference held at ‘Tilak Patrakar Bhavan’ in Nagpur.

The agitations will start on 17^th December against the proposed Act at Nagpur; but awareness is being created amongst people through meeting people’s representatives, ‘Katha-keertans’, correspondence with the Government, press conferences, demonstrations distribution of handbills, website etc. from one month prior to the Assembly session by explaining the true nature of this Act all over Maharashtra. On 18th December, a discussion session has been organized at ‘Rajaram Dixit Vachanalaya’, Nagpur. It was informed that the agitation was intensified against this Act.

4 BJP MLAs from Nagpur District will oppose this Act !

Nagpur (Maharashtra) : The proposed anti-superstitions Act aimed at eradication of Hindu Dharma should be strongly opposed if presented for discussions during winter session, was the demand made by delegation of HJS to BJP MLAs from Nagpur District viz. Mr. Chandrashekhar Bavankule, Vikas Kumbhare, Krushna Khopade and Vikas Ghodmare by submitting representation. All the MLAs assured to oppose the Bill. Mr. Bavankule said on the occasion, “I will be opposing the Bill but I have also asked for half an hour to speak on this Bill by sending a letter to the Secretary of ‘Vidhan Mandal’ in case the subject was presented for discussions.” HJS activists, Mr. Subhash Zavar, Shrikant Pisolkar, Dilip Pagnis, Gajanan Nagpure and Tushar Anerao comprised the delegation.  

Views presented in the press conference by dignitaries

This Act should be permanently withdrawn from the table of State Assembly ! – H.B.P. Devrao Maharaj Vanave, Secretary, Rahstriya Warkari Sena

Anti-superstitions Act is an Act which will create rift between society and hurt sentiments of Warkaris; therefore, the Front-Government should withdraw the same permanently from the tables of State Assembly. 

Existing laws are competent and effective for eradication of superstitions ! – Mr. Ramesh Shinde, the national spokesperson of HJS

If this Act is passed, religious people having faith will be oppressed to large extent; it can lead to riots, is the opinion given by senior legal experts of Supreme Court. The existing laws are competent and effective for eradication of superstitions. The Government should use the relevant laws for handling such cases and there is no need for a new Act. Presently, at every 10 minutes, incidents like molestation of women, rape etc. are taking place in Maharashtra. Attacks on journalists are increasing for which the Government did not feel like passing a new Act; but why the Government wants to pass an Act for crimes committed at very negligible level ?

Maharashtra Govt. is hurting Warkaris by passing this Act; therefore, Warkaris would definitely show miracle to the Front Govt. in the forthcoming elections of 2014 ! – H.B.P. Bapu Maharaj Raokar

Proof of the wrongness and anti-Dharma nature of the Bill !

• In Raman Raghav case, Manvat case, Nandos case, the accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment and/ or death in terms of the existing laws; whereas in the new Act, there is provision of maximum of 7 years imprisonment. How can this new Act be called more effective than the existing laws in such case?
• In the new Act, basic definitions of faith and superstitions have not been given by the Government and atheists; besides definitions of many more words are missing. How can this Act then be implemented?
• As per 13th clause, all religious rituals and acts have been considered as offences which cause physical, mental and financial harm; therefore, many acts like piercing of ears-nose, taking penance, circumcision etc. will be termed as offences; is it not then attack on Dharma?
• In terms of Index –clause 2, propagation of miracles has been banned; therefore, Warkaris can be arrested when they explain miracles shown by some Saint. There are many books on supernatural power, black magic, ‘Mantra-Tantra’ Vidya etc. in all religions. Hindus’ Holy Scripture ‘Atharva Veda’ is devoted only to this topic which can be banned for propagating superstitions.
• There are many objectionable points as given above in connection with the said Act, therefore, everybody should firmly tell the Govt. about their opposition to the proposed Act as it will attack faith in the name of eradication of superstitions.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat