Fanatics dominate every field, control our lives: Shyam Manav

Shyam Manav, 62, an activist who started the anti-superstition campaign in 1980, would know a thing or two about fighting off the spurious and defying the irrational in day-to-day life, principally bogus godmen who exploit gullible ‘followers’ physically and monetarily. Manav has also authored  several books against superstition and fly-by-night swamis.

He, however, remains undeterred in carrying forward this fight despite the murder of his former colleague, Narendra Dabholkar, by unidentified assailants in Pune on Tuesday. He is determined to lobby even harder for the Anti-Superstition Bill in the State assembly in the coming days. He spoke to Sudhir Suryawanshi in an exclusive interview. 

Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead at one of the busiest spots (Bal Gandharva) in Pune on Tuesday. Was this to be expected?
It was shocking news for me. I started the anti-superstition movement after taking voluntary retirement from journalism in 1980. Dabholkar joined me and became an active member of our movement till 1982. Then, he formed his own organisation to carry forward the work in his own style. The lack of security and absence of law and order are major issues in the state which gave ample room for fanatics to rise, resist and attack.

If Dabholkar had been provided security, could this tragedy have been averted?
Possibly. Three years ago, I too was attacked by some people near Bal Gandharva  in Pune. Later, the police said that the attackers were disciples of the godman, Narendra Maharaj. Even, Home Minister R.R. Patil shared this information with me, pointing to the policemen in his own department, who were disciples and involved in the attack. But action was taken neither against Narendra Maharaj on whose behest the attack took place nor against the police who went to have tea just when I was targeted at Bal Gandharva. R.R. Patil sat on the report, waiting for another tragedy  to happen.
 
Why were you a victim of these godmen and fanatics?
Many bogus godmen started losing their once lucrative business because of our fight against superstition. Disciples started deserting them. And, more importantly, they were concerned about the  proposed Anti-Superstition Bill that bans the various unhealthy and heinous practices prevailing in society. This Bill will surely hinder bogus godmen’s business and that fear prompted them to attack us.

Has the government failed to gauge the seriousness of the Anti-Superstition Bill and the likelihood of  you and Dabholkar being singled out?
I do not believe in seeking personal police protection. We travel everywhere -- from urban to remote areas, particularly tribal areas. We cannot take the police everywhere. It obstructs our activities and our freedom to roam, to give speeches. So, we have  our own 10-15 trained people with us when speaking against superstition. Most of the time, the police are with the fanatics.

What should the government do to instill fear in anti-social elements?
They should arrest the people who are indulging in such anti-social activities and exploiting the gullible in the name of god and religion. Fanatics are dominating every field and controlling our lives, while the authorities are reluctant to take action against them. The irony is that the police ask us not to deliver anti-superstition speeches, saying it disturbs the law-and-order situation.

Do other prominent politicians of the state extend you help?
Politicians are the same. They are afraid of taking a stand against godmen or any religious leader who is exploiting society. Most of them are also attached to some godman or the other.  The bogus godmen racket is like any other -- sand, oil. No one has the courage to bust it.

Will Dabholkar’s murder dampen the spirit of the workers in the anti-superstition movement with you?
Not at all. When we joined the anti-superstition campaign itself, we assumed that we would be attacked by people with vested interests because we were exposing them. Actually, this will only strengthen our belief to work hard to eradicate superstition.

How was your experience of working with Dabholkar? Why did he break away within two years of joining you?
When I started working in 1980, Baba Adhav, the auto union leader and working class hero in Pune, asked to take Dabholkar along to do the work on a larger platform. However, within two years, differences started surfacing. So, we thought that the separation was better for both of us.

Any instances of when you came together in the  larger interest?
We came together to convince our leaders when the Anti-Superstition Bill was proposed to be tabled in the State assembly last time and to tell them how the Bill was important to rescue people from the traditional exploitation racket. Our aim is to have the Bill passed and make the state superstition-free. That will be a fitting tribute to Dabholkar.