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July 2, 2006

MUMBAI: The state's proposed law against blind faith and black magic has plenty of grey areas, feel experts. The Bill, called the "Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic and Evil Practices Bill", may become an Act in the coming Assembly session but, in the absence of any public debate on its provisions, there is fear and confusion that a law meant to target tantriks may end up putting a curb on people's religious beliefs and practices.

The driving force behind the new law is believed to be the Andha Shraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, a group of rationalists who have been calling for the eradication of all non-scientific and illegal healing practices carried out in the guise of supernatural powers.

"There is a problem when one asks what is scientific. What is not accepted by science today may become a basic scientific tenet tomorrow," says activist Mohan Rajan, questioning the hurry to pass the Bill in Maharashtra when "communist" states like Kerala and West Bengal have not passed such Bills.

The monsoon session begins on July 3 and in all likelihood, the Bill ? making offences involving blind faith and black magic "cognisable and non-bailable" ? will be passed.

The offences will attract six months to seven years in jail and Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 in fine. The main criticism against the Bill is its drafting, which is vague and can lead to misuse although it sets out to punish those who practice witchcraft and abuse women in the process.

Among the loose ends is the absence of a definition of "superstition". Though the Bill does not apply to "religious acts involving rites and rituals that do not adversely affect any person mentally, physically or financially", it says one cannot propagate divine views or miracles.

This, fear Hindu Janjagruti Samiti members, will effectively ban various religious rituals. But social justice minister Chandrakant Handore, who proposed the revised Bill last December, felt the new law was essential to bring a "social awareness against evil practices that thrive on ignorance and to combat the sinister practices".

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1696524.cms