Government should give us permission to undertake Religious Education Classes for eradication of blindfaith – Shri Ramesh Shinde, State Spokesperson of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti

Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel took an interview of Shri Ramesh Shinde, the state spokesperson of Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. Speaking on behalf of the Samiti Shri Shinde said, "Saints are already doing the work of eradicating blind faith in the society. If Government gives us permission to take Religious Education Classes, we too will undertake the work of eradicating blindfaith. We do not oppose efforts to eradicate blindfaith. But this law contains some clauses which are restrictive to pure Religiosity. Also, the existing laws are fully capable to curb deception due to blindfaith. Unlike the preface of the now approved bill which states that deceptions due to blindfaith are increasing at frightening levels, there have been only 17 cases of deception in the last 5 years, necessary legal action having been taken in all cases against the accused."
In answer to the question on whether the Government had called the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti for a dialogue, Shri Shinde said, "So far even after submitting written applications for 66 no. of times, Government had not called any Social Institution or Organisation for a dialogue. If this false, then the Government should produce the list of such Organisations. Both BJP and Shiv-Sena had opposed this bill strongly in the Vidhan Sabha and had demanded a thorough discussion on each and every clause of the bill. Since this is a matter related to Religion, both sides, the sides of the Religious and the Atheists should be taken into account. It not right that the Government Adhere only to the side of the Atheists while purposefully sidelining Religious and Spiritual Organisations."
In answer to the question on the next step of the Samiti, Shri Shinde said, "The bill has now been reduced from its 30 pages to 12 pages and list of 27 clauses to 12. Now we are going to approach the people. Yet this bill has to be approved by the Vidhan Parishad, signed by the governor and finally, the Court’s verdict is yet to be taken. Does this bill really promote scientific temper or just restricts Religious activities? These questions yet need to be answered."