Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 23: The state government has brought into force Anti Superstition Black Magic Act under which people who follow draconian practices like Made Snana, black magic and sorcery, hypnotism etc are made punishable. Under this act, police inspectors of the respective police stations will be the vigilance officers and people who come across superstitious practices can complain to them.

Once the complaint is received, the inspector is bound to register first information report (FIR). The police inspector can also register first information report suo moto.

Representational image

The said bill had been prepared by a committee of experts during the Congress regime. However, there was strong opposition to certain contents in the report among religious and political leaders. Thereafter, some of the points were left out or revised, and bill had got the nod of the legislature.

A notification issued to enforce the law in December 2017 was withheld due to certain legal hitch. After removing the controversial content, the bill has been signed by the Governor, an official of social welfare department stated.

Banned procedures

Banamathi, sorcery, hunting for secret treasures or following procedures for finding hidden treasures. Making others believe that an unseen power has been invoked on the body o a person and that the person concerned has possessed the power of the spirit. Torturing people in the name of driving away spirits occupying their mind and body. Branding people as sinner or sinner's soul, declaring someone as Satan or Satan's incarnation. Threatening people by telling them that spirits would be invoked by chanting of hymns. Instigating people to observe banished procedures like Aghori. Performing surgery with bare fingers, claiming to change the gender of the fetus in women's body, claiming to possess special powers, making others believe that he was a lover or spouse of a person in the previous birth. Hanging in the air through hooks (Sidi), pulling of chariot with the help of ropes, hooks at the end of which are inserted into the bodies of the devotees. Tossing of children from a height, making them lie on bed of thorns. Forcing women during monthly periods or puerperal women to stay separately, practicing Bettale Seve (nude, public procession). Killing of animals with bare teeth. Rolling on the leaves containing left over after consumption of good (Made Snana).

Deputy chief minister Govind Karjol, said that one should not exploit others by practicing superstititions and wanted those implementing these laws to be honest. Sri Sugunendra Theertha Samiji of Puthige Math, Udupi, opined that there is nothing wrong in banning certain practices which harm the health of the society.

Violators get one to seven years of imprisonment and fine which might be between Rs 5,000 and 50,000.