Progressive Hindu seers demand law against superstition, discrimination

Bengaluru, Nov 18: In a rare development, nearly 200 progressive Hindu seers belonging to various mutts across Karnataka staged a protest demanding an end to social discrimination and superstitions.

Dozens of progressive writers, thinkers and social activists also joined the three-day long protest organized under the banner of Pragathipara Matadeeshara Vedike (Progressive Pontiffs' Forum) from Monday to Wednesday at the Freedom Park, here.

Speaking at the launch of the stir, Veerabhadra Chennamalla Swami, the head of Nidumamidi Mutt (seminary), Kolar, said it was a “satwik” agitation for a “social justice cause” and not restricted to any religious faith or belief system.

He said: “Even after the Supreme Court making its displeasure clear over Made Snana, people are promoting this practice. Rolling on the floor will lead to wastage of food. It's wrong to believe that people will become clean from all sins by practising it.”

He went on: “Most of our demands are for the welfare of society, while the rest are rooted in religious grounds. The government should have promulgated the law against superstition last year itself. But it developed cold feet as vested interests resorted to misinformation.”

Shivanubhava Charamurthy Shivarudra Mahaswami of Beli Mutt, Bengaluru, said that government should take necessary steps to end inhuman rituals like Made Snana'. “In the name of Made Snana, people of the lower castes are being harassed. Supporting superstition in the name of religion is wrong. Such practices should be banned,” he said.

Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami of Sanehalli Mutt said that “influential” religious institutions should not get immunity from the law because of their proximity to political power.

The protesters strongly backed the Anti-Superstition Bill, which faced strong opposition from BJP and seers owing allegiance to Sangh Parivar in Karnataka.

Volunteers of the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi too supported the agitation. They took out a procession from Anand Rao Circle at 11.30 am and converged at the Freedom Park. Eminent persons who lent their support included K. Marulasiddappa, K.Allama Prabhu Bettadur, C.S. Dwarakanath and N. Prabha.