Use science against black magic and superstition'

August 11, 2012

Mangalore, August 11: In order to counter superstitions and blind beliefs, a three-day state level workshop on “Using science against black magic and superstition” was organized by Karnataka State Science Parishat at the Institution of Social Development Nanthoor here on Friday.

Inaugurating the workshop, K.N. Vijay Prakash, Chief Executive Officer of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, said it was important for scientific temperament to be imbibed in the younger generation.

Lambasting prevalent practices such as urulu seve and vaastu , Sri Shaila Gholi, Convenor of Janavigyana Samiti, said: “Why complete an MBBS degree and specialise in dermatology when you can just roll on the floor to cure your skin ailments?”

He cited the instance of fortune tellers prescribing a childless woman to circumvent the 'ashwathnarayan' plant if she wanted to bear a child. “My eight-year-old daughter plays near the plant in my house and I routinely see her run around the plant. Why then does she not have a baby,” Mr. Gholi said to the amusement of the audience.

Prem D'souza, Principal of St. Agnes College, said traditional thinking existed because of fear and science was a tool that could remove this fear.

Tracing the roots of superstitions and irrational beliefs, R.K. Hudagi, State President of Samudaya, believed they came when people “jump to conclusion” based only on one observation of natural phenomena.

The workshop saw lectures being delivered by Narendra Nayak, president, Federation of Rationalists Associations of India.

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Situation in Nagamangala town peaceful after Ganesh idol procession violence: Home Minister

News Network

September 14,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said the situation in violence-hit Nagamangala town in Mandya district is peaceful now, and steps have been taken to ensure that no untoward incidents take place.

Clashes had broken out between two groups during the Ganesh idol procession in the town, following which mobs went on a rampage with stone pelting and targeting several shops and vehicles leading to tension on Wednesday night.

"Situation in Nagamangala is now peaceful and there is no problem there. I have also instructed officials to hold a peace meeting there. We have instructed officers to ensure that no untoward incidents take place, enough police force is also stationed there," Parameshwara told reporters here.

About 55 people have been arrested in connection with the incident and they have been sent to judicial custody, according to police sources.

Responding to a question on opposition parties including JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy raising doubts about the FIR, he said, "The police will do what has to be done in accordance with law..."

Asked about BJP sending a fact finding team to Nagamangala, the Home Minister said, "Let them find the facts and inform us, and if there is any fact from their fact finding, we will look into it. It will make our work a bit easier." The BJP panel consisting of MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, former Minister Byrathi Basavaraj, former Minister K C Narayana Gowda, state secretary Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, and former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, will visit the spot and submit a comprehensive report to the party in a week.

According to police, an argument had broken out between two groups, when the Ganesh idol procession by devotees from Badri Koppalu village reached a place of worship on Wednesday, and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation.

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