Two states, Karnataka and Maharashtra have enacted anti superstition law, primarily to protect the innocent victims against witch craft, human sacrifice, rolling on the left overs of food eaten by Brahmins and throwing child on thorns. These laws enable preemptive action as the rituals performed prior to such crimes are prohibited. 

But aren’t all the religious rituals superstitious? By definition if there is no scientific proof, then all such religious practices can be deemed as superstitious which Periyar in tamilnadu preached. 

Longtime back Raja ram Mohan rai could bring an anti-sati act only by convincing the British that sati is not to be practiced as per Vedic  scriptures but brought later. British believed that sati is a religious practice and were reluctant to enact the law fearing uproar in the Hindu community.

Only a thin line  exists between superstition and religion; while secular democracy permits every citizen to perform any religious practice, bringing in additional laws to prevent certain religious routines as unlawful when it is construed as cruel in the eyes of modern civilisation. Can fire-walk, needle piercing in mouth, breaking coconuts on heads, whipping, etc., be banned…? Or pouring litres of milk, ghee and others in fire while performing ‘Homam’ be stopped?

There would be an upsurge of emotions if any government dares doing so…as long as any practice doesn’t upset the society and even bring in mental peace and satisfaction, the govt should not interfere in them. 

Philosophically, is science itself absolute? Whether absence of proof, means, it is a fallacy? History teaches that what newton professed gospel, was shattered by Einstein. When this happens in science, the scientists justify such fallacies but not in other walks of life? 

A modest minded would say that it ‘is yet to be proven’ while an arrogant scientist will say it is ‘superstitious! ‘ 

The growing popularity of astrology in TV shows and the need based rituals to placate the deities stress the anxieties for money and prosperity in the modern society. The question as to Whether the deity fulfils the desire is to be settled only between the between the God and the performer. The frenzy, of the followers of God-men who are sinners in the eyes of law enforcement agency, can’t be curbed by any law. Only responsible media can correct the aberration; but tranquility is a distant dream!

No one has any right to judge on other’s religious practices; this includes as innocuous ones as wearing hijabs or turbans to performing Homams to placate the deities. But when animal or human sacrifices are involved society would speak on their behalf; same is true with triple talaq or polygamy or man marrying a girl who could be as good as his grand daughter. 

Can anyone comment on gods with elephant or monkey headed with such an impunity, which in other beliefs could be blasphemous inviting capital punishment by the religious heads. Self infliction of agony (such as fire walk or needle piercing or rolling in the temple) as a symbol of accepting punishment from deities, though might have entered in the recent times have always had a positive effect on the individuals. It’s only barbaric to comment on these as superstitions; if it does good why to comment against it?

That apart: the hindu religious rituals have always quickly adapted to the changing societal practices unlike the others and is tolerant to even virulent criticisms…

Former PM HD Deve Gowda readies ‘lucky’ Delhi house before LS poll. The house, which Gowda was occupying before he became PM in 1996, is considered lucky by the family. The obsession of such weird beliefs are most common among the senior politicians of Andra and Karnataka and in many northern states.They spend crores of public money to modify their official residences to propitiate the ‘vastu’ god. Thanks to his obsession with Vaastu, PWD minister HD Revanna stayed in his Holenarasipura home and traveled to Vidhana Soudha every day 342 kms to attend to his duties till his official residence could be made vastu-compliant!

Sometimes one tends to believe that the ‘invisible hand God’ might be playing politics as otherwise how to explain the unexpected crowning of accidental PMs and CMs, Deve Gowda, Manmohan Singh and Kumarasamy!

If you believe only the archaic Indians are such believers then sorry, you are sadly mistaken: modern western World invokes the god of luck – Fortuna (Latin: Fortūna, equivalent to the Greek goddess Tyche), the goddess of fortune and the personification of luck!

Even the staunch atheist also are not far behind when advised similar means to regain personal glory: For example the symbol of radicals, the late DMK scion, Karunanidhi, is said to have started wearing yellow shawls to ward of ‘evil eyes’.

Next time, when you invoke lord Ganesha before attempting answer papers in exams or refuse to venture out in ராகு காலம், don’t feel guilty at all… you are not alone in this small world.

No one has any right to judge on other’s religious practices; this includes as innocuous ones as wearing hijabs or turbans to performing Homams to placate the deities. But when animal or human sacrifices are involved society would speak on their behalf; same is true with triple talaq or polygamy or man marrying a girl who could be as good as his grand daughter.

Can anyone comment on gods with elephant or monkey headed with such an impunity, which in other beliefs could be blasphemous inviting capital punishment by the religious heads. Self infliction of agony (such as fire walk or needle piercing or rolling in the temple) as a symbol of accepting punishment from deities, though might have entered in the recent times have always had a positive effect on the individuals. It’s only barbaric to comment on these as superstitions; if it does good why to comment against it?

That apart, the hindu religious rituals have always quickly adapted to the changing societal practices unlike the others and is tolerant to even virulent criticisms…