Pune: Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti Calls For Action Against Bageshwar Baba’s Unsubstantiated Claims
Pune, 18th November 2023: The Pune district executive of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) has urged the state government to take immediate action against Dhirendra Krishna Shastri also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar under anti-witchcraft, drugs, and magic Act, citing concerns over his anti-scientific assertions.
MANS has claimed that he has been consistently making unverifiable claims and comments that contradict the principles of the Indian Constitution.
Bageshwar Baba has been accused of making defamatory and damaging statements about saints in Maharashtra, coupled with unscientific claims.
During a press conference today, Vishal Vimal, a full-time activist of ‘MANS,’ demanded that the state government initiate special public awareness activities through the media and educational institutions to address these unscientific claims and instill a scientific ideology in society. Eknath Pathak, and Prateek Patil were also present at the press conference.
“The self-proclaimed messenger of God, Bageshwar Baba, boasts of accurately recording the past of strangers, reading people’s minds, talking to Ravana over the phone, curing diseases, and driving away ghosts and corpses through his various programs”, Vimal said.
With Bageshwar Baba scheduled to host a Satsang and Durbar program for three days in Pune city starting next Monday, the Pune district executive of ‘MANS’ has called for action in light of this event.
The MANS alleges that Bageshwar Baba is taking advantage of people’s religious sentiments, worship, and emotions, leading them to adopt unscientific beliefs. MANS contends that Bageshwar Baba is violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Advertisement Objectionable Act of 1954 and the state’s anti-witchcraft law.
MANS has issued a challenge to Bageshwar Baba to prove his claims, offering a cash reward of Rs 21 lakh if successful. They have also called for strict warnings from the administration against making unscientific and defamatory statements during the three-day program in Pune, urging organizers to record the events through video shooting for accountability.
