{
  "id": 15403284,
  "title": "Nashik: Kanya Pujan, Havan Programme For Schoolgirls Cancelled After ANiS Objection",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/nashik-kanya-pujan-havan-programme-for-schoolgirls-cancelled-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T11:02:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/nashik-kanya-pujan-havan-programme-for-schoolgirls-cancelled-after-anis-objection"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nashik officials recently cancelled a planned Kanya Pujan and Havan ceremony for schoolgirls after objections from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANiS). The Art of Living, Vedic Dharma Sansthan Maharashtra and the Nashik Municipal Corporation had collaborated on the event, which was originally scheduled for October 17.\n\nThe letter inviting school teachers and headmasters to bring girls aged 6 to 14 to a central location for the rituals was met with concerns from ANiS member Krishna Chandgude. Dr TR Gorane, state secretary of ANiS, then contacted NMC officials to raise objections, stating that such religious practices for children contradict the secular principles of the Indian Constitution.\n\nFollowing Dr Gorane's advice, Meeta Chaudhary, the Education Administration Officer, promptly canceled the event. Chaudhary emphasized the importance of protecting and respecting girls, as well as the need to maintain scientific reasoning among students. ANiS defended its position, asserting that it does not oppose religion or spirituality, but strongly objects to using these concepts to promote unscientific rituals, especially when students are compelled to participate.",
  "summary": "Nashik: A collective Kanya Pujan (worship of girls as manifestations of the divine feminine) and Havan programme organised jointly by The Art of Living, Vedic Dharma Sansthan Maharashtra and the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) for schoolgirls was cancelled following objections raised by the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANiS). A letter issued in the name of Prasad Pimple,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}