Karnataka government to place black magic Bill before people

Bengaluru: Following a controversy, the state government has decided to place the proposed Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifices and other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2016 before the public for a discussion before introducing it in the House. 

In fact, the government had decided to introduce the bill six months back but due to opposition from senior ministers, the bill was referred to a cabinet sub-committee for review. Now sub-committee member and law and parliamentary affairs minister T.B. Jayachandra has suggested that the committee invite public objections on the content of the bill. 

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Jayachandra said that the government is committed to implement the anti-superstition bill for the sake of society.
 “I have suggested that the Cabinet sub-committee obtain public opinion on the bill and have asked the authorities concerned to put the bill on the official website,” Mr Jayachandra said. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised writers, rationalists and activists that superstitious practices would be banned by passing the bill. 

The bill has been drafted on the lines of a similar law in Maharashtra and was deferred after senior ministers  suggested not to include a few practices which people were voluntarily practising. 

Some ministers have sought more clarity on ‘human sacrifice’ and said they need time to study the bill. The bill does not impose any ban on astrology, Vaastu, Ajalu, numerology, horoscope reading and Kundalini, said sources in the Legislature department. 

It proposes to prevent human sacrifice, exorcism, black magic, witchcraft, Aghori, Made Snana and the practice of throwing infants from buildings. 

The Cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa has suggested necessary changes to the bill and has also cautioned that the proposed bill could hurt the sentiments of a lot of people, sources added.