HYDERABAD: A day after women and child organisations had lodged a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission against Ponnaluri Srinivasa Gargeya Daivagna, the Central Crime Station police on Tuesday registered a case against the ephemerist for his prediction in his Panchangam for the coming Telugu new year which allegedly amounted to insulting women and girl-children.
The SHRC directed city police commissioner AK Khan to submit a comprehensive report on the issue by April 4.
It is learnt that after receiving a letter from SHRC, Khan reportedly directed the CCS police to register a case against Gargeya. A few women and child organisations met DCP J Satyanrayana and lodged complaints against the astrologer. Basing on the complaints, the CCS police registered cases against him.
The MV Foundation also complained to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights against Gargeya, alleging that he insulted women and girl child in the Panchangam written by him on the eve of Ugadi.
The predictions that appear on Page No. 207 of Kalachakram and Page No. 225 of Graha Bhumi, the two books written by him, amounted to insulting women and girl-children, it said.
R Venkat Reddy, national convener of the foundation, said the contents of the Panchangam were unconstitutional and violated the principles of natural justice for women and girl children. It also violated the right to privacy, right to dignity and right to protection against obscenity, he said. “Immediate and stringent legal action should be taken against the author and proceedings initiated. Stop the book from circulation immediately,’’ he demanded.
Balala Hakkula Sangham, All-India Democratic Women’s Association, Progressive Organisation of Women and Chaitanya Mahila Sangham filed separate petitions before the SHRC.