Religious group leaders welcome government's Anti-Spitting Bill move

In unanimous praise for the government, leaders of various religious groups have welcomed the move to introduce an anti-spitting Bill. The state is likely to introduce the Bill in the winter session. Part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, it will be debated in the summer session. It looks to bring in various prohibitory and penal measures to discourage citizens from spitting.

"People do not follow religion honestly, that's why the problem of cleanliness exists. Safai (cleanliness) is otherwise half imaan (honesty) in our religion. This is a congratulatory step from the government," said Maulana Moin Ashraf, president of the Jamia Qadria Ashrafia Madrasa in Grant Road.

A similar view on the "honesty" was shared by the spokesperson of the Catholic community too. "A person dirtying the street here doesn't do the same in Singapore. It is not that Indians are not hygienic. They keep their houses clean but throw garbage out. The sense of ownership towards society and country isn't much here. Environment is god's creation and one should do everything to preserve it," said Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Leaders added that the government needs to back up its move with the proper mechanism. "And that would include creating a sense of greater awareness among people. If there is awareness and people do not spit, there will be cleanliness. Spotless areas can deter people from spitting, like they do abroad when they see a cleaner environment. Basic psychology is that if one person does it, another will follow," said Pravin Chabbra, media coordinator of Nirankari Sant, a spiritual organisation that has been taking up cleanliness drives since 10 years.

"No sane person will ever oppose a Bill like this. If the mind is clean, it will reflect on the surrounding. I hope the Bill advocates teaching at a practical level too," said Rohinipriyadas, vice president of ISKCON, Chowpatty.