Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017

Mere legislation is not adequate(enough,पर्याप्त) to eradicate(remove,हटाना) superstition from society, but laws do have the utility value of curbing(control,नियंत्रण)the prevalence(spread,फैलाव) of inhuman rituals and practices. The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017 has been approved by the State Cabinet and is likely to be introduced soon in the Assembly. this as just an ‘anti-superstition bill’, as what it seeks to inhibit(prohibit,निषेध) are actions that offend human dignity, result in the exploitation(शोषण) of gullible(innocent,भोले) and vulnerable(weak,कमज़ोर)people or cause harm to them. Organising macabre(horrid,भयंकर)rituals, offering magical cures and threatening people, under peril(risk,जोखिम) of incurring divine or supernatural displeasure, are covered by this law, even though these can be treated as offences under the Indian Penal Code too.

It is not uncommon to read reports of disturbing rituals. Among the rituals the Bill outlaws is the practice of walking on fire, branding children, and piercing one’s tongue or cheeks. One must denounce(condemn,आरोप)acts that harm women in the name of exorcism(magic,जादू), it is education and awareness that can truly liberate a society from superstition, blind faith and abominable(hateful,घिनोने)practices in the name of faith. Until then, the law will have to continue to identify and punish acts that violate the people’s right to life, health and dignity.