Warkaris and Hindu organisations to hold a huge State-level Convention to oppose Anti-Faith Bill

Kartik Krushnapaksha 7, Kaliyug Varsha 5114

From our correspondent

The proposed anti-faith Bill is a conspiracy to attack Hindu Dharma under the name of eradication of superstitions and an attempt to arrest rapid growth of Hindus. A huge State-level Warkari Convention is being held at Alandi on 11^th December 2012 for the main demand of permanent cancellation of the proposed anti-Hindu anti-faith Bill during the forthcoming winter session of the State Legislative Assembly.

Warkari Sampradaya and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) have organized this Convention at Phaklekar Phad, Gopalpura, Alandi between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. Various Warkari–Phadakari Organizations, main Warkari Saints, ‘keertankars’, pro-Hindu organizations, spiritual organizations and large number of devout citizens will be taking part in this Convention. All of them will put up a fight with unity against the above proposed Bill.

Maharashtra Government has been deceiving Warkaris for many years by only giving promises to them in connection with this anti-faith Bill. Chief Minister Pruthviraj Chavan had given a promise in July 2011 in ‘Vidhan Bhavan’ about the anti-faith Bill and provision of amenities to Warkaris by appointing a coordination committee. Now, even after 1-1/2 years, the Government is keeping mum about setting up of such committee.

This has led to furor amongst Warkaris. Also, the Government is trying to pass the above anti-faith Bill under influence of few atheists despite strong opposition from other spiritual and pro-Hindu organizations. In every session of Legislative Assembly, sword of anti- faith Bill is hanging on religious citizens; every time it is opposed by Warkaris and pro-Hindu activists; but this cycle seems to be never ending. Therefore, pro-Hindu organizations and Warkaris will be staging strong agitations all over the State for permanent cancellation of this Bill.

Under this movement, various means will be adopted to bring forth the true nature of this anti-Hindu Bill before the citizens by holding press conferences, demonstrations, taking out massive rallies, holding seminars, meeting all political party-chiefs and using state-of-the art means of communication at different places like Nagpur, Pune, Nagar, Sholapur etc.

Shiv Sena’s Chief Executive, Mr. Uddhavji Thackeray has also strongly opposed this anti-Hindu Bill and all Shiv Sena MLAs & MLCs will oppose this Bill during the Assembly session. The fact that for the past 18 years, the above Bill has not been passed indicates the shortfalls in this Bill and strong opposition to this Bill. There is a need to implement the existing laws in more effective manner; but few atheist organizations pressurizing the Government to get this Bill passed for obtaining huge funds from other countries, to run own shops and to oppress religious citizens. These organizations, which claim to eradicate so-called superstitions of others, are cheating the Government and people even financially. Many scams, in which these organizations are involved, have been already exposed; besides, the naxalite  connections of these organizations with naxalites is also under scanner of the Home Department. On one hand, the Government is issuing orders about inquiry against those with whom they are shaking hands to pass this Bill.Isn’t it strange ? The Government should become alert in time and should not be influenced by such organizations.

Why is there opposition to the proposed Anti-Faith Bill ?

In the year 2005, the anti-faith bill was cancelled as it was found to be ultra vires of the Constitution and had many serious shortcomings. The same bill has, however, been brought again, only with change in its name.Now it has been given a misleading title as ‘Maharashtra Narabali va Anya Amanaviya Anishta va Aghori Pratha va Jadutona yana Pratibandh va tyanche Samool Uchhatan Adhiniyam 2011 (Maharashtra Bill 2011 for prevention of Human Sacrifice and other inhuman, undesired and horrible customs and black magic and its eradication)’. This new bill is like ‘Old wine in a new bottle’. Some of the clauses in this Bill are very harmful. Many religious rituals and acts will become non-bailable offence under this bill. Ritualistic worship and religious rites and acts, ‘Hom-havan (sacred fire) etc. are likely to be considered as offence. Even abiding by Dharma, propagation of Dharma etc. will fall in the clutches of this bill. Persons or organizations found guilty for such offence will be punished with fine of Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 50,000/- and 6 months to 5 years imprisonment.

Futility of the proposed Act and grave shortcomings !

1)  Legal experts and police have given their opinion that for the crimes mentioned in this Act, clauses 415, 417, 420, 294, 508, 376, 302 of the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other laws are adequate and there is no need for passing a new Act.

2) Under this bill, punishment for human sacrifice that is murder is maximum 7 years whereas the existing IPC- clause 302 provides for death sentence. How can then such Act be called effective?

3) The extent of crimes committed in the State which are related to superstitions, is very less (Only 109 offences were registered during 2-1/2 years in the State); but it is falsely claimed in the introduction of the bill that extent of such crimes was quite alarming.

4) Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and other organizations issued more than 40,000 letters to the Government during past 5 years; so also submitted scholarly representations regarding modifications required to be made in this Act by legal experts; but the Government has just thrown them in the dustbin.

5) Many words are not defined in this bill which can lead to misuse of this bill.

6) The Government claims that the Bill is against human sacrifice; but if a person is guilty, the spiritual organization, trust and temple committee with which such person is associated, will also be treated as guilty and action will be taken against all the office bearers of such organization.

7) Under clause 6 (2) (F) of this Bill, a third person has a right to lodge complaint in such case; therefore, it can be used to harass others.

8) As per the ‘Appendix clause 2’, ban has been imposed on propagation of miracles, their use for earning money, for terrorizing others etc. In rituals like ‘Satyanarayan Puja’, ‘Vaibhavlakshmi Observance’, ‘Narayan Nagbali’ etc. there are descriptions of miracles and their benefits. If somebody claims of not getting any benefit after performing such rituals, the material used for such rituals and books can also be banned. There are many instances given by Warkaris and Saints in their discourses, keertans and stories like ‘Saint Dnyaneshwar making a wall move or making a buffalo to recite ‘Vedas’, holy books coming out and floating over water’ etc. They can, therefore, be arrested for propagation of miracles.

9) As per clause 13 of this Bill, all religious rituals and acts that cause physical, mental or monetary harm/damage; e.g. story about Sadhu Vani as narrated in Sri Satyanarayan puja, observances, homa-havan (sacred fire), piercing of ears of a child as done by Hindus, circumcision as done by Muslims, injuring self as done during Moharrum, fasting without food and water as observed by Jain community, pull out hair from body etc. can be treated as offences under this Act.

Overall, this Bill will impose restrictions over citizens on the basic freedom conferred by the Constitution to follow any religion; therefore, the proposed ‘Maharashtra Narabali va Anya Amanaviya Anishta va Aghori Pratha va Jadutona yana Pratibandh va tyanche Samul Uchhatan Adhiniyam 2011’ should be cancelled !