Mohol (Maharashtra): An elocution competition, at district level, was organized on behalf of ANS and Centre for Counselling on overcoming addictions. In this competition, participants criticized faith, idol worshipping etc. Shri. Avinash Patil, a devout Hindu contestant, however, gave very apt replies to the criticism.
In this competition, 29 participants from Junior Colleges and 16 competitors from Senior Colleges took part. There were topics like ‘Eradication of Black magic – Need of the hour’, ‘Environment and Indian Festivals’, ‘Superstition and Scientific Perspective’ for Junior Colleges group whereas ‘Charlatanry : Social Ailment’, ‘Will today’s education help to eradicate superstitions?’, ‘Is there a need to study Dharma?’, ‘Humanity is the true Dharma’ were the topics for Senior and Open group. (ANS has deliberately selected such topics to misguide young generation about Dharma and Spirituality. Hindus should unite to eradicate ANS – Editor). Many contestants expressed their views that Dharma is the cause for nurturing superstitions. How can one believe in incidents like Hanuman leaping towards Sun and carrying mountain in His palm if we see from the viewpoint of Science? There were very controversial statements like ‘due to organizations like ANS, the no. of Gods have been restricted to 330 millions; otherwise the no. would have grown. If we believe in ANS, how can we pay obeisance to idols of deities?’ were made. (It would be ridiculous if a common man talks about medical Science. It is even more ludicrous, when followers or members of ANS talk about Dharma – Editor)
Shri. Avinash Patil, one of the contestants explained the difference between faith and superstition and elucidated on principles in Science, five sensory organs, limitations of Science and perfect Dharma-shastra. He gave many examples of how science of Dharma is absolute and how it is necessary to undertake spiritual practice to understand the Science. He said it is necessary to study even Dharma-shastra like any other Science.
Great Scientists like Dr. Abdul Kalaam, Shri. Vijay Bhatkar and astronomer Sunita Williams have faith in God although they are Science scholars. But we do not study our books on Dharma and still negate the existence of God. He said further that ANS states immersion of Sree Ganesha idols causes water pollution but information collected from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board proves that no pollution is caused due to immersion of idols. Is ANS not spreading superstition by propagating such wrong things? Therefore, one must study Dharma-shastra with spiritual perspective and without any prejudices to remove one’s superstitions. (Devout Shri. Avinash Patil who expressed his views so fearlessly deserves praise. Such devouts are required for protection of Dharma – Editor)
One member of ANS got up and said that Shri. Patil has spoken against ANS but they were keeping quiet. Shri. Patil should realize that it was only because they truly believed in secularism. He said that when Kumar Ketakar had talked against Brahmins in a Seminar held for Brahmins, he was beaten up.
Later, to cover up the true nature of ANS, the organizers offered a bouquet to Shri. Patil and advised him that they were congratulating him only for his honesty; but he should remove whatever misunderstandings he has about ANS. They also told him that if he could get the relevant papers from the concerned to show that immersion does not cause pollution, ANS was ready to close its shop.
Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’
