Rohit Pawar meets Maharashtra governor, seeks strict implementation of anti-black magic law

NCP SP leader Rohit Pawar on Wednesday met Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and discussed multiple issues including the effective implementation of the states antiblack magic law reported PTIPush for Law Against Defamation of Social IconsPawar also urged the governor to support legislation empowering authorities to act against individuals making defamatory remarks about icons such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj B R Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule reported PTIDabholkarrsquos Legacy HighlightedPawar noted that slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar had played a crucial role in advocating for legislation against black magic and superstitious practices reported PTIldquoThe Act has come into force but its implementation is not proper I have urged the Governor to speak with the state government to ensure its effective enforcementrdquo he saidLaw Criminalises Superstitious and Inhuman PracticesThe Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act criminalises practising promoting or advertising black magic and related acts with punishments ranging from six months to seven years in prison along with finesRemarks by Godman Trigger Fresh DebatePawar alleged a rise in defamatory remarks against revered figures He cited recent comments by selfstyled godman Dhirendra Shastri targeting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as an example reported PTIldquoI have urged the Governor to push for a law empowering the government to act against such remarksrdquo he saidEducation Concerns Raised in MeetingThe KarjatJamkhed MLA also raised concerns about alleged excess fees being charged to students at ILS Law College in PuneDemand for Academic Recognition of Janardhan WaghmarePawar further demanded the establishment of a chair in the name of late Janardhan Waghmare the first ViceChancellor of the then Nanded University and supported the familyrsquos request to install his statue on campus reported PTIGovernor Assures Consideration of DemandsPawar said the Governor responded positively to the issues raised and assured him that they would be looked intoGodman Ashok Kharat seems linked to Ajit Pawar plane crash CID should probe Rohit PawarMeanwhile NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar on Tuesday alleged that Nashikbased godman Ashok Kharat is prima facie linked to the fatal plane crash involving his uncle and then Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and demanded his interrogation by the CIDSpeaking to reporters after visiting the CID office in Pune to take stock of the status of the plane crash investigation he alleged that some occult rituals had been performed outside late Ajit Pawars house through a small political leader in BaramatiWith inputs from PTI