Siddaramaiah: Don’t believe astrologers, some said I will not be CM for long!
Bengaluru: Taking on astrologers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said some had predicted that he will not continue as CM for long while others had said he will not be in the post after presenting the state budget. But he had been continuing without any problems till now.
Speaking at the silver jubilee function of Manava Dharma Peeta here on Monday, the Chief Minister said that discussions for and against superstitious beliefs and astrology had started after he said that an astrology programme being telecast on private Kannada television channels would be banned.
“Don’t believe what astrologers say. Our government will not hesitate to ban blind beliefs that scare innocent people. I am ready to take on vested interests who are behind it,” he said.
The government would not come in the way of religious beliefs and celebrations intended for the welfare of mankind. However, it would not allow practices that become an impediment to people’s welfare. Progressive organisations have been demanding that superstitions that frighten people should be banned and the government would respond to it positively, he said.
Mr Siddaramaiah recalled that 12th century reformers led by Basavanna tried to create awareness among people against blind beliefs but they continue to survive even after 850 years. Some vested interests are behind the continuation of superstition in society, the government is committed to destroy such interests, he said. Earlier, Veerabhadra Channamalla Swamy of Nidumamidi Manava Dharma Peeta urged the CM to ban all superstitions which are used as a means to exploit people.
Freedom fighter, H.S. Doreswamy, noted litterateurs, Baragur Ramachandrappa and Marula Siddappa too wanted the government to abolish practices that are used to exploit people in the name of religion.
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