Mumbai: Amid allegations that the Sanatan Sanstha gives its members arms training, the organisation has admitted it teaches the use of air rifles to women to prevent chain-snatching incidents. As a part of its self-protection training, women are taught various techniques including the use of air rifles, Sanatan spokesperson Abhay Vartak said.
At a press conference held on Tuesday in connection with the arrest of its member Sameer Gaikwad in Comrade Govind Pansare’s killing, the Sanatan clarified its stand on the issue. “We do not give ammunition training. But we do teach the use of air rifles to women as a part of self-protection techniques.
They are not guns and they are used for shooting balloons. They can be used to prevent incidents like chain snatching. Also air rifles need no licence,” Mr Vartak said at the press conference. He was replying to a query on photographs of Sanatan members taking rifle training being published.
The Sanatan spokesperson was also asked about allegations by parents about their daughters being forcefully kept in the organisation’s ashrams. However, the spokesperson refused to answer these questions. He was repeatedly asked about two girls, Priti and Priya, whose parents claimed that they were not allowed to see them as they were being kept in the Sanatan ashram, but the spokesperson dodged it.
A PIL has been also pending before the Bombay high court seeking a ban on the Sanatan. A few relatives of Sanatan members have filed the PIL as they alleged the organisation is waging war against the state. On the issue, Sanatan advocate Sanjeev Punalekar said it was a personal vendetta. “Our Sadhak was tortured by her husband who has filed the PIL. He does not want to leave his former wife despite their divorce,” he said.
