Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal seeks crackdown on fake ‘babas’ and ‘buwas’ in Maharashtra

MPSSM urged the government to move swiftly as superstition-loaded exploitation is not only spreading but cutting across caste-religious lines with such fake babas preying on the vulnerable.

Mumbai: Amid the sensational case involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat and similar other cases emerging in Maharashtra, the Solapur-based Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal (MPSSM)—which runs several social initiatives on the ground—has asked the government to launch a crackdown and create  awareness and grassroots support at the village-levels against the fake ‘babas’ and ‘buwas’.

MPSSM President Pramod Zinjade has shot off a letter to the Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department with copies to the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, all Divisional Commissioners, all Collectors, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads and all Superintendents of Police. 

According to him, the State government must issue a circular requesting the creation of a 'superstition-free villages'. 

Zinjade urged the government to move swiftly as superstition-loaded exploitation is not only spreading but cutting across caste-religious lines with such fake babas preying on the vulnerable. 

As per the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act, 1958, the Gram Sabha (Village Assembly) is empowered to deliberate upon and make decisions regarding the social, economic, and developmental matters of the village. Furthermore, the Gram Sabha possesses the authority to pass necessary resolutions for the holistic development of the village.

Referring to the Maharashtra Prevention & Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, Zinjade said in his memorandum that existing legal provisions are underutilised or not fully enforced and need a boost from the state.

“The law has already criminalised such acts and mandated stringent punishment, besides encouraging citizens to develop a ‘scientific temper’ to prevent abuse by so-called bhondu babas. The government should issue a state-level circular directing all district and local authorities to mandate the Village Panchayats to take up ‘Superstition Free Village’ as a formal agenda to be implemented within a time-frame,” explained Zinjade.

All the villages can pass suitable resolutions, form Superstition Eradication Committees, launch awareness campaigns involving youth and school or college students, establish vigil by women’s groups to keep an eye on any resident or roving godmen and enforce the law at the grassroots with the help of local police and the district administration, he added.

He expressed optimism that if the state government intervenes in the matter, there could be a drastic reduction in incidents of superstitious, fraudulent, spiritual and aghori rituals-practices, preventing the exploitation of womenfolk and ensuring rural societies are rendered safe and secure.