ANS objects “Om Certificate” in Trimbakeshwar while silent on “Halal Certificate”.

Om Certificate by Hindutva organizations to maintain the  Purity of Prasad in Trimbakeshwar, Objection by Andhasraddha Nirmulan Samiti; Mixed reactions of shopkeepers.

Mehak Shinde | HENB | Nasik | June 17, 2024:: In order to preserve the sanctity and quality of the prasad offered by the devotees in the temple at Trimbakeshwar, it has been decided to give ‘Om certificates’ to the shopkeepers in the area on behalf of some Hindu organizations and the shopkeepers have expressed their mixed reaction about it. The Andhasraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS) has raised the question whether it is purification of prasad or an attempt to socialize it. ANS is a radical anti-Hindu organisation which does not believe in Hindu Dharma. So, the the Hindu organisation engaged in this movement and a part of traders summarily rejected the objection in this regard. The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust has also welcomed this move of ‘Om Certification’. 

Prasad purification movement has been started by some Hindu organizations in Trimbakeshwar. It has been revealed that the prasad available outside the temple is often adulterated. In Trimbakeshwar, like all other religious areas, there are members of different faith and  religions involved in the business and trade of many goods and food items related to the religious area. Therefore, ANS has criticized that it is like creating doubt and confusion in the minds of all the devotees and businessmen by making a ‘false statement’ that a heretic has tampered with offerings outside the temple. But, such attempt of Maharashtra Andhasraddha Nirmulan Samiti is completely inclined to promote  the Muslim traders in Hindu religious sites and ANS never objected the ‘Halal Certification’ in Hindu areas as they are opposing the Om Certificate in Trimbakeshwar.

Meanwhile, distribution of Om certificate has started in Trimbakeshwar and only Hindu professionals are being given this certificate. The Muslim shopkeepers have expressed  displeasure about this and have expressed the possibility that this will affect their business.

On behalf of Om Pratisthan in Mumbai, Om certificate was distributed to Prasad sellers at Trimbakeshwar to maintain the sanctity of Prasad at Hindu religious places and places of pilgrimage. On behalf of this institution, a working system has been prepared to distribute or sell Prasad prepared with unadulterated and pure ingredients to the devotees. This certificate is being given to Prasad sellers or distributors. These certificates were distributed in the presence of Ranjit Savarkar, Sharad Ponkshe, Mahamandaleshwar Aniket Shastri Deshpande etc. In this regard, Savarkar stated that care will be taken to ensure that cows’ fat or artificial ghee, colour etc. are not mixed with prasad and food items and that those who give unadulterated pure prasad will be given a certificate by the foundation.

ANS State President of Maharashtra ANS Avinash Patil and State General Secretary Dr. T. R. Gorane opposed the move of .Om Pratisthan.

“The Food and Drug Administration Department has nothing to do with the certificate being distributed by some organizations in Trimbakeshwar. We only check whether the vendors have a license to sell food,” said Sanjay Niragude, Joint Commissioner, Food and Drug Control (Admin) Department.
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__Inputs from Loksatta.