Support from the Nationalist Congress Party along with the Shiva Sena and BJP
Ratnagiri (Maharashtra): ‘The Ratnagiri Panchayat Samiti during its monthly meeting passed a resolution to scrap the ‘Maharashtra black magic and superstition bill 2005’. Members belonging to the Shiva Sena, BJP and Nationalist Congress Party passed this resolution unanimously.
When framing this bill neither were religious leaders and sects nor spiritual organisations taken into confidence. That is why instead of eradicating superstitions this bill aims at destroying faith. Shri Sudhir Shantaram Pathare put forth a resolution asking for scrapping of the bill at today’s meeting. Member Shri Uttam Uddhav More and Nationalist Congress member Shri Mahesh Shantaram Mhap seconded it. The resolution was passed unanimously under the Chairmanship of Speaker Sau. Devayani Jhapdekar, Deputy Speaker (BJP) Shri Vijay Saalim and other members discussed this in detail. A decision was also taken to forward a copy of this resolution to the government. Since certain terms in this bill have not been defined clearly there is a high chance of it being misused. The government equates blind faith to miracles. That is why many of our saints preaching holy texts such as the Vedas, Gita, Mahabharat, Ramayan, Dnyaneshvari, Dasbodh, etc which narrate several incidents incomprehensible to the intellect, are likely to face punishment. Due to the 13th clause in this bill the freedom to practise religion given to citizens may face a threat. For all these reasons this bill is anti-constitutional and should be scrapped is the stand this resolution took. Those who passed it included four members belonging to the Nationalist Congress Party.
(Congratulations to all members of the Ratnagiri Panchayat Samiti for protesting against this anti-religious law ! Panchayat Samitis of other states should take a lesson from this ! – Editor)
Source: ‘ Daily Sanatan Prabhat ‘
