Karnataka Excise minister Satish Jarkiholi spends night at grave yard: He reveals why he did so

"People must fight superstition and taking a step forward in that direction, I decided to spend a night in the graveyard", said Satish Jarkiholi, the Karnataka minister for excise.

Jarkiholi who batted for the anti superstition bill spent a night at the Vaikunth Dam burial ground to prove that superstition is something that ought not to be believed.

The minister for excise tells OneIndia that there is no such thing as ghosts.

"I wanted to prove it and it is time that people come forward and fight this myth. Superstition is the root cause why people belonging to the lower castes do not get justice.‎ My fight against superstition will continue and it would not matter to me even if I lose power. For me the more important thing is to spread awareness", he said.

'Does Bill Gates believe in goddess Lakshmi?'

The minister went a step ahead to prove his claim. He said that one of the richest men in the world does not believe in Goddess Lakshmi.

Despite that he has lots of money. What does that mean to you? I myself have a business turn over of over Rs 500 crore despite not praying to Lakshmi.

Dinner at the graveyard

"I want to prove that this is like another place. This is one of the oldest graveyards and I along with several others had dinner here. We will undertake more such programmes in the coming days. I know people will say all sorts of things but what is more important is that myths are busted", he said.

Mixed reactions

There have been mixed reactions to the ministers actions. While some believe that he is doing the right thing and others term it as a publicity stunt.

Some locals said that if he wants to prove a point, "let him do it but there is no need to hurt the sentiments of people".

OneIndia News