This article was originally published in Northeast Now on 27 June, 2018
With an aim to create awareness against superstitious beliefs, rumours and wrong doings prevalent in the societies, Brothers, a national social organization on Tuesday announced its decision to organize a one-month long awareness campaign across the State.
Brothers Chief Secretary Dibyajyoti Saikia said, “In the first phase we will cover around 20 districts. We will also hold the campaign in Karbi Anglong.”
“We will hold awareness programmes at centre places of villages, where we will provide training to the village heads and the Village Defence Party (VDP) members against superstitious beliefs and rumours prevalent in the societies. We will also hold street plays to make the people aware,” Saikia added.
Saikia while lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Assam Government said, “The Government has been promoting superstitions. Organizing Ambubachi Mela is not only a promotion of superstitions but also a crime.”
“The so-called tantra-mantras of Ulanga babas (naked sadhus) we have witnessed over the years during Ambubachi Mela are all superstitions. Government should not promote these,” said Saikia.
While demanding implementation of an anti-superstition act in the State, Saikia said, “We had submitted a draft to the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in 2010 demanding an act against witch-hunting. Though the Bill against witch-hunting was passed by the Assam Assembly on August 13, 2015 under Congress rule, no Government has implemented the Bill.”
Saikia stressed the quality education in schools and colleges to make students aware about superstitious beliefs, rumours and also the use of social networking sites.
He said, “There are many loopholes in the education system across the country. The Government should work on it.”
Saikia further demanded the Government to find out permanent solution to prevent heinous incidents which occurs due to superstitions or rumours.
Shahaji Bhosale, chief secretary of Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, Maharastra, who has been working as crusader against superstitions for last 23 years in Maharastra was also present during the press conference at Guwahati Press Club.
Shahaji Bhosale will also accompany the awareness campaign to be launched by Brothers organization.