CM appeals legislators to pass Anti-Black Magic Bill unanimously

Anti-Black Magic Bill not against any religion: CM

* Chavan assures to call a meeting of Group Leaders soon, appeals all parties to pass the Bill unanimously

Staff Reporter
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, on Monday, said that Anti-Black Magic Bill was not against any religion but against the evil practices not suiting the civilised society. He appealed to members of both the Houses of State Legislature and representatives of various organisations against the Bill, to extend their whole-hearted support to passage of the Bill.
Chavan was speaking after presentation on the draft of the Bill before legislators, representatives of various organisations opposing it, and also spiritual leader Govind Dev Giri Maharaj (Acharya Kishore Vyas). Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe made brief introductory remarks before presentation by Secretary (Social Justice) R D Shinde, in the hall of Legislative Council, after adjournment of both the Houses of State Legislature.
Chairman of the Council Shivajirao Deshmukh, Speaker Dilip Walse-Patil, Deputy Chairman Vasant Daokhare, Deputy Speaker Vasant Purke, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Leaders of Opposition Eknath Khadse (Assembly) and Vinod Tawde (Council), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil and others were present prominently on the occasion.

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on 10-12-13

Shinde informed the gathering about provisions in the Bill and stressed, “For removal of any doubt, whatsoever, nothing in this proposed Act shall apply in respect of any customary rituals.” The Ordinance issued by the Government was aimed at bringing social awakening and awareness in the society and to create a healthy and safe social environment with a view to protect the common people in the society against the ‘evil and sinister’ practices thriving on ignorance. It was also aimed at combating and eradicating human sacrifice and other ‘inhuman, evil, sinister, and Aghori’ practices propagated in the name of so-called supernatural or magical powers or evil spirits commonly known as Black Magic by conmen with sinister motive. The law was proposed to prevent exploitation of common people in the society.
Leader of Opposition (Assembly) Eknath Khadse sought to know why the crucial words ‘faith’ and ‘blind faith or superstition’ were not defined in the proposed law. MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) asked if the Government had data about enactment of such a law in different countries of the world and different states in India. He also asked the Government to provide data on offences registered in cases of human sacrifice etc in past 10 years in Maharashtra. “In case of human sacrifice, already one can be booked and punished under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code. Is there still any need for a special provision under a different law?” he asked. Leader of Opposition (Council) Vinod Tawde said that there were apprehensions that the Bill was anti-Hindu as only Hindu imageries were used in literature in support of the Bill. “This fear needs to be allayed. For the purpose, Chief Minister should invite Group Leaders in State Legislature for a meeting in next couple of days,” he urged.
In response, Chief Minister said that the law was aimed at stopping evil practices that caused physical, mental, or financial harm to any individual. He assured to call a meeting of Group Leader soon. He also appealed to the leaders to submit their say on the Bill in writing to Social Justice Department so that ‘saving clauses’ could be incorporated in the Act, if required. Walse-Patil appealed to the legislators of different parties not to give political tones to serious debate. Replying to an issue, he said, “Faith cannot be defined, but blind faith can be.” Moghe claimed that the law was perfect in all aspects and respects.