Govt should withdraw its decision taken against displaying Deities’ pictures and performing ‘puja’ in its offices

Memorandum submitted to Shiv Sena MLA Vishwanath Bhoir by HJS

Mumbai : Memorandum was submitted to Shiv Sena MLA Vishwanath Bhoir from Kalyan (west) demanding lifting of ban on performing ‘puja’ of Deities in Government offices. Shri. Arvind Pansare, State spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Shri. Ajay Sambhus, its activist was present on the occasion. The Constitution has given right to every citizen to follow own religion; so, taking out order for imposing ban on Deities’ worship at Government’s offices is in a way hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. You, as a MLA, are requested to take up this issue in Legislative Assembly and try to get this unjust ban lifted, was the request made on behalf of HJS. MLA Shri. Bhoir promised to study the matter and see what he can do in the matter.

HJS delegation submits memorandum to MLA Shri. Bharatsheth Gogavale

Mumbai : Government’s decision of removing pictures of Deities and stopping ‘puja’ in its offices is an assault on freedom of people to follow their Dharma and their faith. Memorandum was submitted on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) by Shri. Arvind Pansare, spokesperson of HJS for Maharastra, Shri. Ajay Sambhus and Shri. Satish Sonar to Shiv Sena MLA Shri. Bharatsheth Gogavale on 25th February 2020, for taking up the above issue during State Assembly session. Shri. Bharatsheth Gogavale assured them that he would take up the issue in current Assembly session.

On 5th September 2018, Panvel Panchayat Samiti’s ‘Gata-vikas’ officer D. N. Tetagure issued a circular imposing ban on performing ‘puja’ of Deities and Sri Satyanarayan ‘Puja’ etc in the schools and government offices. Reference of a circular of ‘Gram-vikas’ and ‘Jal-sandharan’ Departments was taken in this context. This order was made applicable in schools under purview of various departments, ‘Anganwadya’, ‘Gram-panchayat’ and clinics besides other offices. Memorandum with the above demand was, therefore, given in this background.

Reference has been given of Madras High Court dismissing a petition filed in the year 2011 on stopping ‘Saraswati-pujan’ and ‘Ayudh-pujan’. The Court has stated in its verdict that the employees were performing ‘pujan’ or celebrating festival in their personal capacity and not on behalf of the government. It was a personal matter and there was nothing wrong. It was also clarified by the Court that everyone has freedom to follow own religion under article 25 of the Constitution; so, ban cannot be imposed. It was even noted that pictures of Deities or ‘pujan’ has not wasted working hours or caused huge loss to Government.