Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks that a few BJP leaders had performed a havan to hasten his death have sure raised eyebrows.
Goaded by astrologers’ advice, leaders push the limits of superstition
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks that a few BJP leaders had performed a havan to hasten his death have sure raised eyebrows but there can be no denying that Indian politicians have all along been the biggest promoters of astrology, palmistry and superstition by making havans, yajnas and pujas a part of their regular routine.
The alleged BJP-conducted havan has got the Congress leaders worried as they feel that someone might make an attempt on the PM’s life just to prove the powers of the havan.
“As long as havans and yajnas are limited to the academic and spiritual realm, it is fine but when they are begun to be seen as a threat to the PM,it is cause for worry,” said Tom Vadakkan, Congress spokesperson.
Interestingly, such superstitious inclinations are not the prerogative of political bigwigs alone. Indian netas across parties are known for not taking a single step without the guidance of babas, havans and pujas.
Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was a strong believer of Deoraha Baba, who used to bless his followers by putting his “lotus” foot on the head of his followers.
Former human resource development (HRD) minister Murli Manohar Joshi continues to seek blessings from a baba in a remote village in Uttar Pradesh. Not to be outdone is present HRD minister, Arjun Singh who is a staunch follower of Ujjain’s Mauni Baba.
A senior BJP leader is also known to regularly conduct havans ever since he was told by an astrologer he would be bumped off before becoming Prime Minister.
Guided by her astrologers, Pratibha Patil chose to sit on the President’s chair only during the second half of her first day in office. Also going by his astrologers, former External Affairs minister Yashwant Sinha chose a Friday to file his nomination papers.
Defying rationalism comes easy when one is immersed in superstition and this is exactly what Sanjay Paswan, state minister for HRD in the NDA government did when he walked on burning firewood with a snake around his neck.
NT Rama Rao reportedly wore a sari at night to become an ardhnariswara (half man, half woman), as advised by his astrologer. He even shifted his entry point to the secretariat building for vaastu reasons. It is a different matter altogether that Rao not only lost his seat but also fell ill soon after.
Meghraj Mitter, founder of the Tarsheel Society of India, a group of rationalists is severe in his criticism of these leaders’ acts. “The future cannot be changed due to pujas and havans. All of this is just for a person’s mental satisfaction and has nothing to do with reality,” he said.
Taking an obvious dig at the PM’s most recent fears, BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said, “In politics, highs and lows are part of the game;stars and planets have no role to play.”
Putting an end to the havan debate, Vadakkan said, “Working with people works more than working on the stars.”
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