MLA Amol Mitkari gives Rs 20 lakh fund for Ravan temple

(Credits: Marathi News)

Akola, Maharashtra – ‘As a tradition, Ravan’s effigy is burnt on the occasion of Dussehra; but Ravan is also considered a Deity at several places, especially among the tribals’, claims Amol Mitkari, MLA from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s NCP. He is building a Ravan temple at Sangola in Patur taluka of Akola District. He has given Rs 20 lakh fund for the construction of this temple from his MLA fund. (As Hindus are not united, representatives like Mitkari go on hurting their religious sentiments ! These representatives think that by doing such things, they would get ample publicity. To change this, Hindus should unite and protest in a legal manner – Editor).

MLA Mitkari said,

1. It requires a Police permission to burn the effigy of a political leader. The book states that ‘Ravan was the king of Demons’. There are temples of Ravan at several places. There is a Ravan Idol in Sangola. People there do not burn Ravan’s effigy on Dussehra.
2. Tribal people worship Ravan whole-heartedly. Tribals are the principal owners of this country. So tribal Deities are indeed the Deities of all the Indians. Those burning the Ravan effigy should possess the qualities of Shriram. (Mitkari should first clarify how many qualities of Shriram he himself possesses ! – Editor).
3. Ravan was a man of character,a great scholar and a devotee of Shiva. (Can the representatives who admire Ravan, who kidnapped Sita, troubled Deities and killed many sages and devotees, ever cause welfare of the Hindus ? – Editor)
4. In the coming winter session, I will demand to the Chief Minister that an official Government decision be taken to enable a legal action against those who burn Ravan’s effigy. (Hindu community wants that the Hindu MLAs unite against Mitkari and strongly oppose this demand in the winter session – Editor). No one should burn Ravan’s effigy.
5. Contempt of a tribal Deity is the contempt of the tribal community itself. (Mitkari’s action has also insulted Hindus who worship Shriram. What does he have to say about it ? – Editor). Hence, I will try to get this practice permanently banned. Ravan is worshiped in many places across India. He never harmed anyone. Unfortunately, stories are cooked up to portray him as a villain. (Mitkari’s claims are nothing but ‘विनाशकाले विपरीतबुद्धिः।’ meaning when one’s end is destined, he starts to lose his conscience – Editor).

Editorial Perspectives

• If people’s representatives glorify Demons instead of Deities, how can we expect happiness and peace in society ?

• Amol Mitkari is spending his MLA funds for Ravan temple instead of using it for development works and for the welfare of citizens. Is this appropriate ?