Comment

The suicide pact on Sunday due to astrological beliefs has shocked the city. A man administered sleeping pills to his family and later popped an overdose himself. DNA finds out whether superstitious beliefs can ruin lives and where to draw the line.

Govt should provide free education on eradicating superstitious beliefs
The recent suicide pact of a family due to planetary influence must be taken seriously by society. This shows superstitious beliefs can influence one to such an extent that one can end up committing suicide also. We have been always educating people that astrology is not a science and the same awareness must be spread in our society. There is no scientific basis for the practice of astrology in our society.

In my opinion, this message must be spread among the 2 crore and 20 lakh student population in our state. This campaign to eradicate superstitious beliefs through our education system must be done for free by the government. This will be the best way to create awareness among the coming generations. There is a need to introduce certain laws to eradicate these bad practices in our society. The state chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan, said that after the civic election, the government will take steps to approve the act of banning black magic and similar exploitative practices. This recent incident is an example of what blind faith can do.
—Narendra Dabholkar, founder chairman, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS)

Astrology can help a person to face life in a better manner
There has always been a debate on whether astrology is just blind faith or systematic method of understanding. It is a practice known since ancient times. The person’s place of birth, time and date helps to map the planetary position and determines the characteristics of an individual. A horoscope tells you about a person in terms of his mental attributes, health, interpersonal relations, fame and many interesting facts about a person’s future.

A horoscope cannot tell the gender of a person or what has transpired in the past as there can be numerous possibilities in the absence of any reference point that is the basic correct data of the individual. However, this has been used to misinterpret astrology and defame it by many so-called scientists and rationalists. A horoscope can predict the possible dangers and risks that an individual might face. Such inputs can be taken in a positive manner and individuals can take steps to avoid dangers and find alternative ways for the same.

Astrology can help a person to face life in a better manner. The recent suicide pact that happened in Pune, a step taken due to some astrological reasons as the media says, is an example of complete misunderstanding by the person who took this drastic step. I feel it is because of psychological weakness that the person took tries to commit suicide and not due to astrological reasons.
—Manish Potdar, astrologer

We have to cultivate scientific scepticism among people to fight such evils
We have to stop harmful superstitious beliefs and rituals in our society. People need to understand that there is no scientific basis for superstitious beliefs and we have to cultivate scientific scepticism and critical thinking among the people to fight these evils in society.

Considering the scientific basis, it is a known fact that moon has certain effect on water bodies on earth. Since we are made of 70% water, it will have some effect on our body and brain. This planetary effect on our life is complete hogwash and a make belief created by these jyotish practitioners to just earn money.

Nowadays, though we are advancing in technology, we are also leading a stressful lifestyle. In such state of mind, people turn to superstitious beliefs to get some kind of relief.
—Dr Kalyan Gangwal, physician and founder president, Surva Jeev Mangal Pratisthan

There are many people who believe in astrology but they do not commit suicide
The cultural bound beliefs in our society do have an overpowering influence. In the recent suicide case, this man went completely overboard. His faith in astrological influences might have played some role. As far as I know, everything had gone well in this person’s life. I feel he was suffering from some psychotic problem. His family members might have not paid any attention to his issues. The drastic step he took cannot be driven by his supernatural beliefs nor due to stress as he was financially well off. In a severely psychotic condition only such a step is taken. There are many people who believe in astrology, but they do not commit suicide. This is a bizarre case wherein the man completely lost his balance of mind.

Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti is doing the right thing by fighting against superstitious practices and rituals. We need some kind of awareness.
—Dr Hemant Chandorkar, consulting psychiatrist

Belief in astrology has gone up and lot of people consider shubh muharat
Our society must be made aware about the ills of superstitious beliefs and rituals. The media also plays a big role in reinforcing beliefs in such practices, especially TV programmes based on astrology and similar sciences. Nowadays, the society has become more aware, but the belief in planetary influences and jyotish shashtra has also increased. You see people being more concerned about shubh muharat to start important activities.

We all have certain beliefs, but one must not go beyond a certain point. What the father did in the recent suicide pact, might be due to some other reasons. The letters he wrote should not be held basis for the reason of his suicide. He might be depressed or stressed out. There is so much uncertainty in life. In such times, what is missing is the right kind of support system.
—Anuradha Patil, senior lecturer, Karve Institute of Social Sciences