Two Gujarat cabinet ministers sparked controversy after they were seen to be attending a felicitating event for exorcists in Botad district.
The issue went viral after a video footage showed Gujarat Education and Revenue Minister Bhupendrasing Chudasama, State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Atmaram Parmar on the dais watching a couple of exorcists beating themselves with metal chains to live music.
Around 100 exorcists can be seen shaking hands with the ministers on the stage as part of their felicitation in the video footage.
Taking a strong exception to the ministers' presence at the event, prominent rationalist and the chief of the NGO Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha, Jayant Pandya said he would write to the chief minister Vijay Rupani to stop ministers from attending events that promote superstition.
This is for the first time I have seen ministers attending such an event, where exorcists were felicitated.Jayant Pandya, Chief of Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha (NGO)
Although the Constitution encourages the pursuit of “scientific temper” rather than superstition, Chudasama was unfazed by the criticism. Defending his and his colleague's presence at the exorcists' event, Chudasama said:
I attended the programme because it was a gathering of worshippers of divine power, not those who spread superstition.
As per the invitation card, the event was organised by the local BJP unit at a temple in Gadhada town of Botad district yesterday.
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