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Mangaluru: Members of the Maudyachara Nirmoolana Andolana Samiti staged a protest in front of the DC office here, on October 30.
Prior to the protest, a jatha was held from Dr Ambedkar Circle Jyothi. All the protesters marched in a procession which culminated at the DC office.
Addressing the protesters, the convener of the Committee Vasudev Uchil said that from the past 2 years, progressive organizations and leaders have been pressurising the government to implement the anti-superstition law. “Even Nidumamidi Math seminary, Veerabhadra Channamalla Swamy demanded that the government in the state introduce an anti-superstition bill that it had promised but which was withdrawn under pressure from religious leaders. He has formed a committee to abolish superstitious beliefs.” He also said that the government should take firm action against those who discriminate people in the name of superstitious beliefs. “The killers of Prof M M Kalburgi should be arrested soon so also the people who are misusing social media by threatening progressive thinkers. Government should take all measures to make the Intelligence department pro-active.” He also said that the government should hold discussions with the religious heads, political leaders, priests, community leaders and media representatives to abolish superstitious beliefs.
Addressing the gathering, social activist Narendra Nayak reiterated that the Bill is not against any particular religion or good traditional practices. “We are protesting against the superstitious beliefs and inhumane practices which cause mental, sexual and physical exploitation of the poor and marginalized people.” He further said that Dr Narendra Achyut Dabholkar was an Indian rationalist, author from Maharashtra and the founder-president of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), an organisation set up to eradicate superstition in 1989. He was murdered on 20 August 2013. After four days of his murder, the pending Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance was promulgated in the state of Maharashtra. Nayak also urged the government to implement the Anti-Superstition law.
Chandrakala Nandavar, P B D’Sa, Suresh Bhat Bakrebail and others were also present.
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