A criminal case has been registered against the astrologer, Ponnaluri Srinivasa Gargeya, here on Tuesday following a complaint that he made objectionable comments against women in the ‘Panchangam' authored by him.
While the Central Crime Station sleuths, who registered the case, said they were gathering evidence against the astrologer, some organisations spewed fire over the comments demanding his immediate arrest.
The All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), which had already approached the State Human Rights Commission, filed a written complaint with the CCS on Tuesday.
Questionable comments
The association president, T. Jyothi, and secretary, K. Swaroopa Rani, alleged in their complaint that on page 225 of the ‘Panchangam' titled ‘Kalachakram 2012-13', he made indecent comments about women.
“According to him, the maturity timing of a girl decides whether she will become a prostitute or thief, etc.
This is nothing but humiliating women and insulting girls,” they charged.
Based on the complaint, the CCS registered a case under Sections 292 (sale, etc of obscene books …) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of woman) of the Indian Penal Code. Section four of the Indecent Representation of Woman Prohibition Act was also invoked, the ACP, K.V. Ramnarsimha Reddy, said.
The statements of AIDWA president and secretary, social activist, P.A. Devi and representative of M.V. Foundation were recorded.
Ms. Jyothi said that her association had already lodged a complaint with the Chikkadpally police while some parents too approached the Nallakunta police seeking action against Gargeya.
Violation of rights
She maintained that the astrologer's comments would scare parents of girls and are tantamount to degrading womanhood.
“This is violation of women's rights and he must be arrested immediately,” she said. Ms. Devi observed that the ‘Panchangam' had exceeded limits of decency as it attempted to describe the future of a girl based on her menstrual cycle which was a natural process.
Appeal to TV channels
Meanwhile, the CCS DCP, J. Satyanarayana, appealed to different TV channels not to telecast the Panchanga Sravanam to be organised on the day of Ugadi in which Mr. Gargeya would participate. Airing a programme of Mr. Gargeya would hurt the sentiments of people as he had already made objectionable comments about women and the girl child, he said.
