Shani Shingnapur issue is a fight between atheists and devotees ! – Sunil Ghanavat, HJS

Facts in case of entry in holy place of Shani Shingnapur under the name of progressiveness by going against religious traditions

Pune (Maharashtra) : One can acquire God’s grace only with devotion and not with ego. The members of ‘Bhoomata Brigade’, self-proclaimed progressive women devotees of Shani, have planned to break the religious tradition of prohibiting women from entering the temple-pedestal at Shani Shingnapur on 26th January. It is not their devotion but just pretentiousness and stunt for publicity. Although the so-called progressive women are planning to break tradition, many women Shani-devotees have also come forward and decided to protect religious customs and traditions followed for hundreds of years. They will be cordoning off the premises and foil attempts to enter the temple by progressive ‘Bhoomata Brigade’ members. It is not a fight between atheist women and true women –devotees but it is a fight between atheism and devotion, stated Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, the State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) during press conference held on 15th January at Span Executive in Shivajinagar.

Adv. Rajabhau Deshpande from ‘Hindu Ekata Andolan’, Shri. Vijay Gawade, Pune city Coordinator of ‘Patit Pavan Sanghatana’, Sou. Rashmi Naik of Sanatan Sanstha and Kum. Monica Gawade of ‘Ranaragini’- Division of HJS shared the dais with him.

2000 devout women will stand against 400 women coming to act against ‘Dharma-shastra’ ! – Kum. Monica Gawade

The idol of Shri. Shanidev is ‘Swayambhu’ and not only women but even men are prohibited from going on the pedestal of this temple. Men can perform ‘puja’ only after purifying themselves. Those, who are trying to break religious customs and traditions, claim to do so in the name of fighting for equality amongst men and women. There is, however, no disparity and the reason is related to religious and spiritual matter. Awareness is being created in this regard and on 26th January, 2000 devout Hindu women will stand up against 400 women who will try to break age-old religious tradition.

Activists of ‘Patit Pavan Sanghatana’ from all over the State will participate in the drive of protection of religious tradition ! – Vijay Gawade       

On 26th January, activists of ‘Patit Pavan Sanghatana’ from all over the State will join the drive at Shani Shingnapur against so-called progressive factions to foil their attempts of breaking age-old traditions and to protect old religious customs and traditions.     

Improper acts of so-called progressive factions will be strongly opposed ! – Adv. Rajabhau Deshpande

Improper acts of so-called progressive factions trying to break the rules of ‘Dharma-shastra’ will be strongly opposed and ‘Hindu Ekata Andolan’ will support the drive being undertaken on 26th January for protection of religious traditions.

The above issue has no social cause but prohibition on women from going to Shanidev’s pedestal has spiritual reasons and it should be accordingly addressed, opined Sou. Rashmi Naik.

So-called intellectual reporters raise unnecessary questions

During the press conference, few intellectual reporters demanded that scientific proof should be given regarding women getting distress after ‘darshan’ of Shri. Shanidev. Doubts raised by reporters were clarified; still they showed no interest to know spiritual science and ‘Dharma-shastra’ and made comments of bringing change in traditions followed under Hindu Dharma by discarding wrong customs. (It is the responsibility of reporters to understand both sides and bring forth right side before people; but how can these biased reporters, who oppose only for the sake of opposition, give right direction to people without studying the issue ? – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)

Q : Has it been scientifically proved that Shanidev is very fierce and adversely affects abdominal part of women ? Give us one example of women facing such distress. It appears to be your publicity stunt.

A : Each and every thing cannot be scientifically proved. Rules of science cannot be applied to spiritual science as spiritual science is a science of experience. One has to undertake spiritual practice and become capable for understanding the rules of this science. It is stated in ‘Gurucharitra’ that one gets results depending upon his intensity of devotion. All these rules formulated by our Sages and Seers hundreds of years ago, cannot be wrong.

There is no need for us to do anything for publicity. The progressive factions first announced their plans to break customs and traditions; therefore, we had to undertake this drive for protection of our religious customs and traditions. We have given representations to police and State administration. Hindus are tolerant that does not mean that anyone can stand against age-old religious customs and traditions. It will not be tolerated.

Q : Will strength be used to stop progressive women?

A : All drives undertaken by HJS are lawful and same policy will be followed even at Shani Shingnapur and drive for protection of Hindu religious customs will be undertaken in lawful manner. If there is precipitation at some point, it will be immediately brought to the notice of police present at the venue.

Q : There is practice of discarding wrong customs followed in Hindu Dharma; so should this custom of prohibiting entry to women be not stopped ?

A : It is a part of ritualistic worship to preserve the sacredness of pedestal and ‘darshan’ of Deity’s idol. Rules set for performing ritualistic worship have to be followed.

Q : Nothing will happen to God if women enter the temple pedestal. As you claim, it will affect only progressive women; so are you undertaking such drive for their protection ?

A : This drive is not for protection of God or for protection of these women but it is for protection of religious customs and traditions.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat