Mumbai, June 27th, 2006 – ANDHA SHRADHA NIRMOOLAN BILL: ‘ Is it eradication of blind faith or Ban on rituals!’ will be the topic of discussion in a seminar organised by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) in the city on July 1st, 2006. This seminar intends to highlight how the Bill is going to bring a ban on the various traditional religious rituals clearly.
The controversial bill actually known as "Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic and Aghori Practices Act, 2005" is a modified version of ‘ANDHA SHRADDHA NIRMOOLAN BILL’ which was presented in Maharashtra State Assembly in 2003. The bill was then severely opposed by many MLA’S cutting across party lines. Govt. then modified it and presented the modified version in the name of ‘Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic and aghori Practices’ in the assembly in 2005. The bill was approved in assembly with the help of pressure by ruling combination of Congress and NCP in a hurry without allowing complete discussion. Now the bill is to come for discussion in Upper House in upcoming session which will begin on July 4th. Along with HJS, some hindutvavadi organisations and others are protesting against the Bill claiming it to be anti- religion since it was first presented in Maharashtra Assembly in 2003. The watered down version presently under discussion is a result of this opposition. Although the supporters of the bill claim that it’s about eradication of evil practices, opponents claim that it’s against religious rituals. To educate the public about the anti-religious nature of this bill, HJS has organised a seminar at Vanamali Hall, Dadar (W) between 5.45 pm and 8.30 pm.
participants
Shri Jyotibhaskar Jayant Salgaonkar, will preside over the function.
The other participants are
1. Shri Diwakar Raote (Shivsena leader),
2. Dr. I. A. Khan (President, Khankah Sufi Deedarshah Chisti),
3. H.H.Udaynath Maharaj (Founder, Om Bramhachaitanya Prasarak Mandal),
4. Shri Rameshwarshastri (President, Varkari Prabodhan Mahasamiti),
5. Shri. Prem Shukla (Executive Editor, Dopahar Ka Saamna),
6. Shri. Mahendra Salvi (Mahamantri, Shree Sampraday)
7. Shri. Ravindra Prabhudesai (MD, Pitambari Marketing Ltd.)
8. Adv. Subhash Nalavade (Legal Expert) and
8. Dr. Durgesh Samant (National Spokesperson, HJS)
