Tuesday, June 1, 2010

ASTROLOGER IS IN DEEP TROUBLE

Pandit Sitaramji Maharaj was lodged in room no 104 of Hotel Devarshi at Bankura town. He was there since May 13, 2010.
He could make accurate predictions about the future of any person with a mere glance and studying through the palm lines. Further, he can relive anyone from serious hassles ranging from infertility to unsuccessful relations…or just anything possible under the sky. Fees ? Well…that was INR 51 per client for every three predictions.
Yes, that’s what a pamphlet published by Pandit Sitaramji said.
As usual, numerous questions/ queries began to flow in from thousands of people in the local office of the Science and Rationalists’ Association of India, about the logical sanctity of such claims made by Sitaramji.
The association was too eager to bring out the truth. So, a visit to Sitaramji was made in the morning of May 16, 2010, by the members of the association, lead by Biplab Das.
Tarun Rakshit, a member of the association came out with an issue where his wife is unable to bear a child even years after his marriage. Sitaramji’s prescription was instant…” Pay INR 5000 and take a ‘Jantram’ (a talisman)…surely, you will be blessed with a baby by this year”. Tarun is however a bachelor, which the “foreteller” failed to judge.
Chandra Karmakar of Bhairabsthan carried a snap of a girl, whom he said was desperately in love and wanted to marry. Again, Sitaramji promised to solve the issue through “ photograph hypnotism” and charged INR 2800 for the same. The truth is, Chandra doesn’t even know who that girl is. Amazing, isn’t it?
Sitaramji also miserably failed to envisage anything even near to reality in the case of Sudhir Hansda of Harigram, but charged INR 3300 for the same.
Another illustration of his dismal show was about Tuhin Banerjee, a Primary School teacher of Helna Susunia, whom Sitaramji predicted to be suffering from unemployment.
The most apprehending of all was the case of Prasanta Mondal of Bhairabsthan who is a patient of Epilepsy. Sitaramji asserted to heal his disease through “supernatural” means by chanting mantras, which is clearly a criminal offence as per ‘The Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act 1954’.
On that very afternoon of May 16, 2010, Biplab Das, Shyam Das, Buddhadev Roy, Babai and other members of the association charged Sitaramji of hoodwinking and cheating people through his false and unscientific claims. Unable to face such grilling where he was bombarded with questions and challenges, Sitaramji broke down and began to give contradictory statements.
Shortly, members of the association lodged a complaint with the local Police Station (General Diary no 1372 dated May 16, 2010 at Bankura sadar thana).
It was later learnt from the authorities of Hotel Devarshi that Pandit Sitaramji has left the abode.