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{{short description|Indian NGO fighting superstition}}
{{Infobox organization
| founder= [[Narendra Dabholkar]]
| founded= {{start date and years ago|1989|df=y|paren=y}}
| image= 41 Manvel Tuscano.jpg
| caption = An awareness campaign organized by the Samiti to highlight Narendra Dabholkar's death
}}
'''Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti''' (MANS; or Committee for Eradication of Blind Faith, CEBF) is an organisation dedicated to fighting against [[Religion in India|religion]] and [[superstition in India]], particularly in the state of [[Maharashtra]]. It was founded by [[Narendra Dabholkar]] in 1989.<ref name="not against"/> Since 2010, the organization has been headed by Avinash Patil.

==History and work==

MANS was founded by [[Narendra Dabholkar]] in 1989.<ref name="not against">{{cite news |last=Kakodkar |first=Priyanka |date=21 August 2013 |title=He was not against God but fought exploitation |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/he-was-not-against-god-but-fought-exploitation/article5042507.ece?ref=relatedNews |accessdate=23 October 2013}}</ref> In 1999, MANS had protested the canonisation of [[Mother Teresa]] on the basis of purported miracles, although they had praised her service to the ailing and diseased.<ref name=teresa>{{cite news|title=Don't ascribe miracles to Mother Teresa|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/128448/|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=23 October 1999}}</ref>

The organisation campaigned against immersion of [[Ganesh Chaturthi|Ganesha]] idols in water bodies and urged people to use smaller idols and vegetable dyes to avoid polluting rivers and lakes.<ref name="idol">{{cite news |date=18 September 1999 |title=Samiti appeals against immersion of idols |work=The Indian Express |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/122216/ |accessdate=23 October 2013}}</ref> MANS proposed that citizens could instead immerse the idols into the tanks built specially for this purpose on the riverbanks.<ref name=tanks>{{cite news|title=Pune Municipal Corporation failed to curb river pollution|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-pune-municipal-corporation-failed-to-curb-river-pollution-1587736|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|date=16 September 2011}}</ref>

In 2011, MANS protested the torture of mentally ill people under the superstitious belief that it will cure them. Such practices were carried out in a [[dargah]] in [[Chalisgaon]].<ref name=mentally>{{cite news|title=Stop inhuman treatment of mentally ill at Chalisgaon, demands organisation|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-stop-inhuman-treatment-of-mentally-ill-at-chalisgaon-demands-organisation-1619386|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|date=30 November 2011}}</ref>

MANS has also challenged [[Godman (India)|godmen]] who claim to perform miracles. In December 2002, a prize of {{currency|11|INR}} [[lakh]] was announced to be given to anyone who could perform one of the listed 12 miracles. The list included walking on water, floating in air, standing on hot coals for five minutes, being present in two places simultaneously and materialising necklaces from thin air, among others. Members of MANS toured rural areas debunking these godmen.<ref name=godmen>{{cite news|title=State-wide drive against godmen under way|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-11/pune/27324744_1_godmen-ans-andhashraddha-nirmulan-samiti|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131023145252/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-12-11/pune/27324744_1_godmen-ans-andhashraddha-nirmulan-samiti|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2013|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=11 December 2002}}</ref>

They have campaigned against astrology. In October 2009, MANS organised a contest with a prize money of {{currency|21|INR}} [[lakh]] challenging astrologers to predict the results of the Maharashtra Assembly poll election with at least 80% accuracy.<ref name=poll>{{cite news|title=Predict poll results in Maharashtra, win Rs 21 lakh!|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/predict-poll-results-in-maharashtra-win-rs-21-lakh/528976/|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=14 October 2009}}</ref>

==Internal Rift in Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS)==
A leadership dispute has emerged within MANS following the appointment of Saroj Patil as its head, highlighting tensions between members and the Dabholkar family. Avinash Patil, a close associate of founder Narendra Dabholkar, accused Hamid and Mukta Dabholkar of undemocratic practices and mismanagement of trust funds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shinde |first=Shalaka |date=30 Jan 2022 |title=Dispute arises between trust members of Dabholkar's Andhashradha Nirmoolan Samiti |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/dispute-arises-between-trust-members-of-dabholkar-s-andhashradha-nirmoolan-samiti-101643565143549.html |access-date=23 May 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

==Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Bill==
{{main|Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance}}

MANS had been campaigning for a law to check the exploitation of people's superstitions in Maharashtra for a long time. In 1989 at the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Jahirnama Parishad held that year in [[Pune]], then Chief minister Sharad Pawar had indicated the formation of a law in that direction. The issue was raised again in 1995 in the Legislative Council. On 28 July 2003, MANS members organised a hunger strike outside the State Assembly in Mumbai to protest the state's inaction.<ref name=strike>{{cite news|title=Hunger strike planned for anti-superstition law|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=57174|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=8 July 2003|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030716020619/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=57174|archivedate=16 July 2003}}</ref>

On 2 March 2009, MANS members wrote a letter in blood and sent to then Chief Minister [[Ashok Chavan]] and others to urge them to take steps towards the passing of the law.<ref name="blood letter">{{cite news|title=ANS members write letters in blood|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-03/pune/28005676_1_ans-state-wide-protest-blood|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131023145330/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-03/pune/28005676_1_ans-state-wide-protest-blood|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 October 2013|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=3 March 2009}}</ref> On 7 April 2011, they organized a rally to spread awareness about the law.<ref name=rally>{{cite news|title=Rally to press for anti-superstition bill|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-05/pune/29384219_1_anti-superstition-bill-training-programme-narendra-dabholkar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012011302/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-05/pune/29384219_1_anti-superstition-bill-training-programme-narendra-dabholkar|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 October 2013|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 April 2011}}</ref> They also ran [[telegram]]-sending campaign from 7 July to 25 July 2011 to draw attention to the issue. The telegrams were sent to the Chief Minister.<ref name=cable>{{cite news|title=Putting pressure: Cable campaign for anti-superstition bill|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-putting-pressure-cable-campaign-for-anti-superstition-bill-1563688|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|date=8 July 2011}}</ref>

Dabholkar was murdered on 20 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/dabholkar-murder-pune-court-frames-charges-all-five-accused-plead-not-guilty-7510291/ | title=Dabholkar murder case: Court frames charges against five accused, they plead not guilty | date=15 September 2021 }}</ref> The pending Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Ordinance was [[promulgated]] in the state of Maharashtra, four days after his death.<ref name=ordinance>{{cite news|title=The anti-black magic and superstition ordinance has been promulgated in Maharashtra|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-the-anti-black-magic-and-superstition-ordinance-has-been-promulgated-in-maharashtra-1879444|accessdate=23 October 2013|newspaper=[[DNA India]]|date=24 August 2013}}</ref>

== Financial ==
In 2017, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] issued a showcase notice to MANS for not disclosing foreign funds which constituted a violation of the [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010|Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act]] (FCRA), 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Vijay Chavan|date=Jul 12, 2017|title=MANS pulled up for not disclosing funds from foreign shores|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/mans-pulled-up-for-not-disclosing-funds-from-foreign-shores/articleshow/59550621.cms|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Pune Mirror|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513163132/https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/mans-pulled-up-for-not-disclosing-funds-from-foreign-shores/articleshow/59550621.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-19|title=When will financial scrutiny of scams committed by of 'Andha-shraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANiS)' Trust be conducted which is trying to scrutinize Dharma ?|url=https://www.afternoonvoice.com/when-will-financial-scrutiny-of-scams-committed-by-of-andha-shraddha-nirmulan-samiti-anis-trust-be-conducted-which-is-trying-to-scrutinize-dharma.html|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Afternoon Voice|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-activists-slam-witch-hunt-of-foreign-funded-ngos/a-60286446 | title=India: Activists slam 'witch hunt' of foreign-funded NGOs | DW | 29.12.2021 | website=[[Deutsche Welle]] }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Maharashtra Rationalist Association|Sapiens Foundation]]
*[[Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|title=Disenchanting India: Organized Rationalism and Criticism of Religion in India|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199812608|author=Johannes Quack|author-link=Johannes Quack|chapter=Recent History of Organized Rationalism in Maharashtra}}

==External links==
*[https://antisuperstition.org/ Official website]
*[http://www.thoughtnaction.co.in/ ''Thought & Action''], Official journal
*Andhshraddha Nirmulan Vartapatra, official monthly magazine

{{Sceptic organisations}}

[[Category:Organisations based in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Superstitions of India]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1989]]
[[Category:1989 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Rationalist groups based in India]]
[[Category:Scientific skepticism organizations]]

Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti - Revision history

Tjackson at 15:40, 10 December 2025