UP top cop to set up PK-OMG trust against superstition

Apparently influenced by the controversy over Aamir Khan-starrer “PK”, a senior Uttar Pradesh cop has decided to set up a trust to fight superstition and blind religiosity, and create awareness among the people.

Senior IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, currently an Additional Director General of Police (ADG), said on Monday that the body would be known as the “PK-OMG” Trust, and would work toward promoting rationalism.

“The PK-OMG Trust will work against superstition and obscurantism, and encourage rational thinking,” said Thakur.

His wife Nutan Thakur, a social rights activist, will also be associated the endeavour.
The trust has been named after Umesh Shukla-directed “OMG Oh My God” and Rajkumar Hirani-directed “PK”—two powerful films on these subjects, he explained.

“These two films raise very pertinent questions about the existence of God, the place of religion in society, and the massive loot taking place in the country in the name of religion. They present these serious issues in a highly engrossing and thought-provoking manner, thereby drawing the common man’s attention to these serious issues,” said Thakur.

He added that the trust has been so named to show disagreement to the unwarranted opposition shown by people who wanted to continue their hold over the heart and mind of the masses through blind religiosity, instead of giving space to open ideas and thoughts. The trust will support people working in the field of rationalism and anti-superstition, besides bestowing a few of them with awards for their efforts, said Thakur.

He added that the trust would undertake initiatives to create awareness in society so that people understand the true nature of religion and do not fall prey to the designs of those trying to fool them in the name of religion.

Thakur and his wife have been in the forefront of efforts in raising issues pertaining to civil rights, and are involved with several social organisations.