Second day of budget session to be marked by spiritual speech in Vidhan Bhavan

In a first of its kind address, the state government has organised a motivational speech session by Shivani Behan of the Prajapita Bramhakumari spiritual sect in Vidhan Bhavan's central hall. The move has baffled the Opposition.

The address — aimed at creating "positive energy" within and among the participants — will take place from 9 am to 10.30 am. The invitation card bears the name of the principal secretary of the state legislature as the organiser and has the names and photographs of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaker Haribhau Bagade, council chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar and finance and forests minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Former deputy chief minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said if such religious sermons were organised, it should be allowed for the people of all religions and sects.

"I do not agree with this," Samajwadi Party's (SP) Abu Asim Azmi said adding that organising such events in the state legislature was "unconstitutional." He said that the country belonged to people across religious denominations and was not of those who belonged to just one religion.

"If those belonging to one religion are allowed to conduct such programmes, then others will also seek this. I condemn this. This is vote bank politics aimed at bolstering their sagging electoral fortunes," Mankhurd-Shivajinagar legislator, Azmi said. He added that he was not against any religious denomination.

However, Mungantiwar said this was not a "pravachan" (sermon) but a "vyakhyan" (speech). "Events like this on health and mental health have been held in the past. If anyone is objecting to it, then let God give them good sense," he said.

Positive Polity

The address — aimed at creating ‘positive energy’ within and among the participants — will take place from 9 am to 10.30 am. The invitation card bears the name of the principal secretary of the state legislature as the organiser.