Pune, Maharashtra – Shyam Manav of the ‘Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti’ has once again made objectionable statements regarding the Hindu Dharma and Saints. Speaking at a programme organised at the Tilak Smarak Mandir in Pune, he insulted Hindu places of faith and the Saints of the Warkari Sampradaya while recounting alleged stories of the exploitation of certain judges and highly educated women. Additionally, he levelled allegations against the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, expressing his opposition towards them.
He was speaking at an event themed, ‘Why do women fall into the trap of hypocritical godmen like Kharat?’. Floating-member attendees included Vikas Lavande of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), among others. In his speech, Manav also criticised Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Lambe Maharaj, and Gulab Maharaj.
The controversial statements made by Shyam Manav
1. He cited the story of Sant Gora Kumbhar (disrespectfully referring to him as “That Kumbhar”) as an example of faith. He said, “That Kumbhar was treading the clay, completely absorbed in chanting God’s name. His son was crushed to death in the mud, yet he remained engrossed in bhakti. This is what people call faith — this is how exploiters explain it.”
2. Terms like ‘awakening the Parvati tattva’, ‘granting forgiveness’, and ‘purification’ are used solely for the exploitation of women. Divine power does not manifest itself to please anyone in this world, nor does God bestow special grace upon anyone.
3. Muslim tantriks exploit Hindu women. Exploitation has also occurred on a large scale under ‘Halala’. I have also read about the physical exploitation of women who became ‘nuns’ in the Christian community.
4. “Eknath Shinde goes to Guwahati to perform animal sacrifices. If he believes in sacrifices and such rituals, will he ever support the anti-superstition law?”, this is what I said to Ajit Pawar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not want to implement the anti-black magic law in practice at all, which is why he offers no assistance.
Editorial Perspective
- Shyam Manav, being an atheist, lacks any real insight into matters of faith and spirituality. Understanding the depth of Saints and their teachings requires genuine sadhana, not cynical criticism.
- While he professes allegiance to the Constitution, he selectively targets only Hindu Dharma in the name of secularism.
— Editor, HJS