Govt. can’t seek public opinion without necessary papers!

By Staff Reporter

Updates

• Govt. has no right to seek public opinion without necessary papers! – eminent advocates (Chiplun, 24 Jul 07)
• Fast unto death by Pujya Bhuvanratna Vijayji Maharaj (Mumbai, 21Jul 07)
• Anti-faith bill: Time Extension till 31st  August demand by Kadam (Mumbai, 20 Jul 07)
• Representations submitted to ‘Gramvikas’ minister and MLAs (Mumbai, 17 Jul 07)    

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Chiplun (Maharashtra): Laws passed by the Legislative Assembly/ Parliament have effect on the welfare of people. It is right of people to give their opinion on laws that are going to affect them in a democratic procedure. The State Government has committed a grave mistake by passing the anti-superstitions Act, in haste, in the Legislative Assembly. Even now, the Government has not thought about making the relevant papers available to people while seeking their opinion. Some of the local eminent advocates said that it was difficult for even them to obtain a copy and register their vote in its absence. Under the circumstances, the Government has no right to call for people’s opinion.
       
The Joint Review Committee (JRC) has asked for people’s opinions on anti-superstitions Act by 30th July. Some of the lawyers accordingly, contacted the Government Press to get a copy of the draft of the Act and found that it was not available. The lawyers feel that the time limit given by JRC is not sufficient and in the absence of relevant papers how can people give their opinions. Further, the legal terms are also not very easy to follow and the Government should have made available even a commentary in simple language for people to understand the meanings of the clauses. But giving only such short time limit is a ‘farce’ of the Government. The lawyers have written to Shri. Vilasrao Deshmukh the Chief Minister and Shri. B. N. Kambale, the Additional Secretary in the matter.  

Selected matters from some of the letters written by eminent advocates are given below. 

• Adv. Manohar Yadav, President, Chiplun Bar Council: It is necessary to make available all technical matters regarding the Act. Relevant papers should have been made available in offices of all tehsildars; but that was not done. 
• Adv. Vishwas Shigavan: Presently farmers and poor people are engaged in sowing their fields and it is impossible for them to find time for registering their opinion. Most of the people are busy in ‘Ashadhi Wari’ and forthcoming Ganeshotsava. Therefore, the time limit to convey opinions on the proposed Maharashtra Bill on Eradication of Black Magic and Evil and Aghori Practices Bill 2005 may be extended till 31st October 2007.

(Congratulations to all these lawyers who have so promptly taken up the matter in the interest of all Hindus. They will definitely play an important role in establishing ‘Surajya’ in India – Editor)

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Anti-faith bill: Fast unto death by Bhuvanratna Maharaj

July 21, 2007

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Pujya Shri. Bhuvanratna Vijayji Majaraj from Sree Mahavirswami Jain Shwetambar Mandir has started fast unto death as a mark of protest againt the anti-Superstitions Act and ‘Temple Take-over’ Act. Swamiji has written to the Chief Minister that if both Acts are not reviewed, he would not end his fast. He has said in his letter, “We met at your Government house and I had told you, after discussions on matter related to Jain Mandir at Kurla, that the Government should not interfere in religious trusts and institutions and to review the anti-Superstitions Act considering serious repercussions of the Act. That time, you had promised me that no such thing would be done that would hurt religious sentiments of anyone. You also promised that till you were in power, not a single decision would be taken against any religious principles. But I have heard that resolution in respect of the above two Acts is going to be discussed in the session of Legislative Assembly. Passing such resolution will be going against and disrespecting article 25 and 26 of Indian Constitution. Please confirm to me urgently that no such resolution with regard to the above two Acts would be passed so that I shall have no anxiety and will end fast. Please note that the Government of Maharashtra will be responsible for any harm caused during this fast.”

A meeting to protest against the proposed Acts will be held on 22nd July on behalf of ‘Sanskruti Raksha Samiti’ at Shri. Munisuvrat Swami Jain Shwetambar Mandir hall, Navaroji Lane, Ghatkopar at 9.00 a.m. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has also been invited for the said meeting.

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Anti-faith bill: Time Extension till 31 August demand by Kadam

July 20, 2007

Mumbai (Maharashtra): The Government has appealed to citizens to send their opinions/ suggestions on the Maharashtra Bill 2005 on eradication of Black Magic and Evil and Aghori Practices Act 2005 by 30th July 2007. Copies of the Act are, however, not available at many places. Therefore, the time limit should be extended upto 31st August 2007, was the demand made by Shri. Ramdas Kadam, the leader of the Opposition, in writing, to the Chief Secretary. Members of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) had called on Shri. Kadam yesterday and submitted a representation for extension of time limit for sending opinion on the proposed Bill. Copies of the Act are not available at all places in the State. Even in Kolhapur, Pune and other places, copies are not available. The advertisement published by the Government seeking public opinion is also not available and it is difficult for people to register their opinion. This was brought to the notice by HJS. A representation was also submitted to Shri. Girish Mahajan, BJP MLA and other MLAs, demanding extension of time.

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Representations submitted to ‘Gramvikas’ minister and MLAs

July 17, 2007

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Members of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) called on Shri. Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, the Minister looking after the portfolios of rural development, preservation of water and tourism and presented all papers against the anti-Superstitions Act and submitted a representation for extenstion of time in sending opinion on the said Act. In these papers, matters related to how the proposed Act is against the Constitution and against Dharma, paper cuttings of the agitation started by HJS in this regard in the past 4 years, analysis of the Act etc. have been submitted. Shri. Mohite-Patil assured that he would discuss the matter with the concerned Minstry and appropriate action would be taken. Shri. Devendra Phadanavis, BJP MLA present on the occasion was also apprised in the matter by HJS members. Shri. Phadanavis said that he had just received a copy of the Act and would recommend extension of time to seek public opinion.

Shri. Shivaji Vatkar, the coordinator of HJS for Mumbai district called on Shri Diwakar Raote, a Shiv Sena MLA and submiited a representation demanding extension of time for obtaining public opinion on the said Act. Shri. Raote assured that he would ask for extension of time limit. Shri. Vatkar also called on Shri. Kambale, the additional Secretray who would be receiving the correspondence from public and enquired the status of the representation given by HJS on 10th July for extention of time limit. Shri. Kambale informed him that he was sending the proposal to the concerned minister and soon the President of Joint Review Committee or all members of Legislative Assembly would take a decision in the matter.

Shri. Vatkar pointed out to Shri. Kambale, the Chief Minister’s statement about discussion on the Act in the forthcoming monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly (LA). Shri. Kambale however, showed a list of 12 Bills on agenda for discussion that did not include anti-Superstition Act. He said that the Bill would be discussed in Joint Review Committee meetings and a report would be prepared and presented in the session of LA.

Hindus, Time to act now!

Stop Anti Faith Bill By Sending Suggestions!