BELAGAVI: The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhumane Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill was passed unanimously in the legislative assembly on Thursday. Likening the bill to a snake without fangs, MLA B R Patil said the government seems to have introduced the bill under pressure from progressive thinkers.
BJP member Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri noted that definition of belief was complex and changed with time, so the bill required greater discussion with experts and proper analysis, but was instead passed hastily. But he added that he was not against the bill.
JD(S) member YSV Datta said that radical thinking should be encouraged among the public by adopting such bill. But he added that one cannot expect any revolution with this bill.
When JD(S) member H D Revanna raised the issue of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah changing his official car after a crow sat on it, the Chief Minister clarified that it was only coincidence as he had already decided to change the vehicle. He further said, “Let 20 crows sit on my car now, I will not change it.”
Impressing upon educating the public for whom this legislature is being framed, Shettar said, evil practices and superstitions were rampant among people from backward classes, so they should have an idea of details of the bill. They should not be allowed further exploited by others.