Rajkot: In the name of preventing superstition, Rajkot-based Vigyan Jatha NGO obstructed an ongoing Satyanarayan puja session and stopped it in Rajkot district.

The puja session was taking place in an office when the controversial Vigyan Jatha NGO interrupted and stopped it. Congress Spokesperson and Brahm Samaj Gujarat’s office bearer Hemang Rawal later phone-called Vigyan Jatha operator Jayant Pandya to protest his actions, an audio recording of which has gone viral.

In the phone conversation, Jayant Pandya is heard claiming that the objection was to the use of office premises for the puja session, involving the relocation of a table. Pandya went on to claim that the head office in Gandhinagar has taken notice and is planning to take action.

Controversial self-style ‘Anti-Superstition’ NGO facing flak as it obstructs Satyanarayan Puja in Rajkot https://t.co/QXmayjS91Q pic.twitter.com/k1SIicfvDE

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) October 27, 2024

Hemang Rawal alleged that Pandya has a tainted past, having faced a seven-year sentence in a financial embezzlement case. During the call, Rawal asked Pandya whether he had taken his surname (Brahmin surname) on rent, questioning how he could stop the Satyanarayan puja in the name of opposing superstition!

It’s worth noting that in 2019 a local court in Rajkot had ordered seven-year imprisonment to Jayant Pandya and Rs. 17,000 fine in cheating and fraud case.

Meanwhile the Pardi PGVCL (Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd) sub office’s official Trambadiya said that the puja was organized to bring in positive energy in connection with upcoming Diwali festival. It was also organized to mark the retirement of a senior staffer CR Jadeja and his farewell party. The Puja was also organized to mark the approval of bifurcation of Pardi sub division and to boost the morale of staffers who peformed difficult tasks in maintaning and restoring electricity during flood and monsoon.

Watch | Video displays modus of Rajkot based self-style 'anti superstition' NGO operator Jayant Pandya. He comes in advocate's dress and threatens repeatedly that he would go to High Court, and the High Court would reprimand the office (for holding Satyanarayan Puja). PGVCL… pic.twitter.com/MhHk51mZhQ

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) October 28, 2024

In a video surfaced, Jayant Pandya can be seen threatening the office staffers that he would go to the High Court and the High Court would reprimend the office. Pandya also threaned actions from the higher offices. The staffers said Pandya also questioned why the staff was wearing kurta payjama. Pandya also objected puja, katha, hom, havan, bili patra offering and said he would write letters to energy department officials, minister, chief minister, collector, IGP, SP etc.

DeshGujarat