GUWAHATI, May 29 - People of Odalbakra, Sonaighuli and adjacent areas have come out against the proponents of superstitious beliefs and irrational claims of self-proclaimed �godmen� in Guwahati, asking the administration to immediately identify and arrest such people who try to mislead or instigate the masses in the name of supernatural beliefs.
At an awareness meet held at Sabitri Bharali High School here recently, the people decided to pressurise the administration to take steps against such persons, who claim to possess Godlike powers and eventually create nuisance in the society.
The step was taken by the residents of these localities after facing continuous threats and harassment from a person named Robin Rajbongshi who claims to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. An FIR has also been lodged against him for threatening the locals with sharp objects and creating nuisance in the society.
The awareness meet was attended by human rights activist Dibyajyoti Saikia, who explained in detail the causes and impacts of rumours, irrational claims and superstitious beliefs in society.
�It�s a shame that such incidents are happening in the capital city Guwahati. Earlier also several cases of witch-hunting, ostracism and violence in the name of superstition had been reported in the capital city. In 2013, a 35-year-old man was killed in Satgaon area in the name of witch-hunting. If such incidents are to be stopped, people must come out in protest and compel the administration to take action,� Saikia said.
�If the city police do not launch a drive against such elements that spread superstition in the name of religion, tantra mantra, quackery or exorcism within the next ten days, we will come out to the streets in protest exposing such elements,� Saikia added.
It may be noted that the Assam government had passed an anti-witch hunting and anti-superstition Act, which, however, is awaiting implementation on ground. Regular incidents of superstition-related crimes project the State in bad light.
