Pune, March 23: In the wake of the Ashok Kharat case, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has announced that it will submit a list of self-styled godmen allegedly involved in fraudulent and exploitative practices to the police. The organisation has also demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the case and strict action against those found guilty.
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According to the committee, citizens and victims frequently approach its activists with complaints of exploitation by godmen and astrologers. It plans to compile district-wise lists of such individuals along with available evidence and submit them to the respective Superintendents of Police.
A delegation of MANS, including state executive members Mukta Dabholkar, Rajiv Deshpande, and Ganesh Chinchole, met Director General of Police Sadanand Date on Monday and submitted a memorandum outlining these concerns.
The organisation also highlighted that Anti-Superstition Cells, mandated to be set up in every police station, remain largely non-functional. It urged authorities to operationalise these cells effectively by involving journalists, women, and activists, and by holding regular meetings to identify and curb such practices.
Helpline for complaints
The Maharashtra Anti-Superstition Committee is introducing a helpline to report deceitful godmen. You can reach them at 9922048832 or 8087876809. If the issue involves the exploitation of women by astrologers or godmen, please call 9422305929. Verified reports will be collected and forwarded to the police.
The committee will also send a letter to the Chief Minister outlining its demands, informed members including Nandini Jadhav, Mukta Dabholkar, Neeta Samant, Milind Deshmukh, Rahul Thorat, Hamid Dabholkar, and Shripal Lalwani.
Demand for rules under Anti-Black Magic Act
Despite the Anti-Black Magic Act being enacted in 2013 following the murder of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, the government has not yet established its regulations. The committee intends to present a draft to the Social Justice Department shortly.
Call for regulation of misleading ads
The committee has called for stringent control over social media content that promotes superstition, such as videos by spiritual leaders and astrologers, in accordance with a related court ruling.
