BENGALURU: Astrologers and vastu consultants can heave a sigh of relief as the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, popularly known as Anti-Superstition Bill will not come in the way of their profession. The Bill will be tabled during the winter session of the Legislature in November.
After much delay and debate, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved the Bill which is set to ban “Made Snana,” a ritual of people of lower castes rolling on the leaves of leftover food by Brahmins. The Bill seeks to ban the ritual in any public place, including religious institutions.
“The Bill has no provision to ban astrology and vaastushasthra. It will also not interfere in rituals like piercing of ears and nose of children in accordance with religious practices of the people,” said Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister TB Jayachandra.
The Bill is seen as fulfilment of the commitment made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to rationalists, writers and activists fighting for a ban on superstitious evil practices.
Ban on human sacrifice mooted
The Bill has also envisaged to ban cruel practices such as human sacrifice, coercing people to perform fire-walk at religious festivals, piercing with rods from one side of the jaw to another, including the tongue (baibiga practice); pelting stones in the name of banamathi, black magic, creating panic in the minds of public in general by way of invoking ghost and exorcism.
It also aimed at banning practice of evil practices against women by forcing isolation, and subjecting women to inhuman and humiliating practices such as parading them naked in the name of worship, betthale seve and sexual exploitation by invoking supernatural powers.