Hindu Janajagruti Samiti demands expulsion of Shyam Manav from Witchcraft Law Committee

Shyam Manav, the Co-Chairman of the Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee appointed by the previous Congress Government to promote the Anti-Superstition Act, is still on the committee despite past controversies. Manav has been penalized by the Court for lying and has been accused of using communal language to criticize Saints of the Warkari sect, thus hurting religious sentiments. In response, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has demanded his expulsion from the committee. HJS submitted this demand to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate action against Manav.

Pune’s Judicial Magistrate First Class, Mr Padhye, sentenced Manav to one day’s imprison-ment and a fine for publishing false information about Dr PV Vartak. Under Section 56 of the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, a person convicted of a criminal offence is ineligible to serve on any public committee or trust, rendering Manav’s position on the Law committee illegal. Manav has made many statements that have deeply offended the religious sentiments of people in Maharashtra. During a public awareness program organised by the Social Justice Department, he made numerous statements that were widely criticized for spreading misinformation and defaming revered Hindu Saints. HJS contends that Manav’s actions undermine the Witchcraft Act and propagate offensive views against Hindu traditions and Saints.

HJS has raised serious concerns about the inclusion of officials from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANIS) in Government committees, citing allegations of financial scams and involvement in Naxal activities. ANIS, which presents itself as a social organisation dedicated to anti-superstition efforts, has been accused of numerous financial irregularities in its trusts. Complaints have been duly filed against these scams, highlighting that ANIS has defrauded the Government and misappropriated contributions. The Union Home Ministry has deregistered ANIS under FCRA for receiving funds from abroad without proper accounting. The Assistant Charity Commissioner has recommended the appointment of an administrator to oversee the ANIS trust. Allegations against ANIS are under investigation.