Women in this Dhule village reject divine healers

Nashik: Residents of Nimgool village in Dhule taluka have decided not to seek solutions for health or financial issues from people who claim to have divine and spiritual healing powers.The decision was taken at a meeting of women of the village held on Sunday under the guidance of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS). They decided not to allow people who claimed to have religious, divine or spiritual powers to treat or advise anybody in the village facing financial, emotional or health issues, and to remind them about the Black Magic Act.The step follows the arrest of astrologer Ashok Kharat, who allegedly cheated people by claiming he had divine powers and sexually exploited women under the pretext of solving problems in their lives.Sindhubai More, a resident, said, "Women have to suffer a lot — be it financial, social, family or even health issues. When they are vexed with such problems, it is obvious that they may seek help from someone like this, and fall into a trap."The women said they had called a meeting of fellow women, but only a few turned up. They said the agenda was to spread awareness among women and arm them with their rights as far as personal safety is concerned."Kharat should be shown no mercy. At the same time, we women should also not fall into such traps. Therefore, we have decided that anybody can come into the village, but no one should prescribe unscientific methods to provide relief to people," said Vidyabai More, another resident.The women of the village are mostly engaged in farming activities along with their family members. "The women have decided to carry out awareness sessions in the village. We will also help people findi solution to their issues — health from medical systems and financial from appropriate institutions," she said.When asked if they wanted to stop all religious people from coming to the village, Sangeeta Patil said, "That wouldn't be the case. We will meet those hosting such programmes in the village, make them understand the difference between a spiritually enlightened person and one who only claims to have spiritual powers."