Pune (Maharashtra): A senior (?) artiste of Marathi stage, Dr. Shreeram Lagoo hurt feelings of thousands of Hindus by referring to Lord Panduranga of Pandharpur as a mere ‘stone’. Dr. Lagoo was recently conferred with an award called ‘Punyabhushan (Pride of Pune)’ on behalf of the organization called ‘Tridal’. The award was given away by Shri. Girish Karnad, a senior director. The felicitation was organized at Bal Gandharva theatre and was attended by Mrs. Rajalakshmi Bhosale, Mayor of Pune, Shri. Mohan Dharia, President of ‘Vanarai’ project, Dr. Jabbar Patel and Dr. Satish Desai, on behalf of ‘Tridal’.
Later Shri. Sudhir Gadgil interviewed Dr. Lagoo. Shri. Gadgil asked him that in one of Jabbar Patel’s play, Dr. Lagoo had to stand before Lord Vitthal; did he stand there as a devotee or only as per the demand of the script? Dr. Lagoo replied that he stood there as if he was standing in front of a ‘stone’ that is known as Panduranga. All the members of audience were laughing at this explanation. Dr. Lagoo, who claims to be a non-believer, had earlier made a statement that God should be made to retire.
(Will Dr. Lagoo show the same courage to criticize other religions? – Editor)
Souce: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’
