Anti-superstition bill continues to attract sceptics

One of the longest debated laws in the state, the anti-superstition legislation, was finally approved by the state cabinet last week. But it will be some time before the bill, now called the Maharashtra Jadutona va Anishta aani Aghori Bill, becomes a law. 

The legislation has now been pushed to the monsoon session of the state assembly for a final vote before it can become a law.

The original bill was modified to accommodate objections raised by various religious groups. But anti-superstition activists say that the legislation has already been diluted. “There are only 12 clauses left in the bill, whereas the original draft had more than 15 clauses. Politicians from all major political parties have opposed the bill in fear that they will lose their votes,” said Prabha Purohit of the rationalist group Maharashtra Andhshradha Nirmulan Samiti.

The bill is expected to get diluted further during the monsoon session. When the bill was discussed in the assembly two weeks ago, there was a demand for certain provisions in section 13 for “punitive action against acts that affect the ‘mental’ state of mind”.

The word ‘mental’ was opposed by ministers representing Hindu, Jain and Muslim interest as there were worries that the provisions could include religious rituals.

Purohit said that in 2007, instead of putting it to vote in the second house, the bill was sent to an investigating committee. “There was no need for this. The law was drafted by experts such as former director general of police Bhaskarrao Misar and retired justice  BG Kolse Patil,” said Purohit.

There has also been concern that rituals like animal sacrifice during Eid and Shia observances like self-flagellation during Moharrum processions could fall under the proposed act.