Need to distinguish faith from superstition, says Ramdas Athawale

Nashik: Emphasising the need to distinguish faith from superstition, Union minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday said people are free to follow beliefs, but must not fall prey to fraudulent practices. He added that while individuals have the right to change their religion, conversion through coercion or deceit is a criminal offence.Athawale, who was in Nashik in connection with personal work, told reporters that the Ashok Kharat case had exposed the dangers of blind faith and superstition. He said several politicians seek out such people for political gains, including ministerial berths, but claimed he had never approached anyone to secure his Rajya Sabha position. He also demanded a statewide probe into all such "self-proclaimed godmen".Commenting on the death of the former deputy chief minister, Athawale said the incident warranted a thorough investigation to rule out any foul play and that those responsible, if any conspiracy is established, should be strictly punished.He also criticised the opposition for allegedly stalling the Women's Reservation Bill, accusing Congress of misleading the public on the issue.On the arrest of former Republican Party of India corporator Prakash Londhe and his sons, Athawale said that while the sons may have been involved in problematic activities, their father should not have been charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) along with them.