Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Path-breaking ordinance' that was published in Newsband

Path-breaking ordinance

After the killing of renowned rationalist Narendra Dabholkar the Maharashtra government has at last cleared an ordinance against superstition and black magic.

The ordinance is indeed a path-breaking one in a country where godmen are glorified. It seeks to curtail superstitious practices which are misused to exploit people or cause them financial or physical harm.

 The ordinance, which will have to be ratified by the State Assembly, seeks to ban a range of superstitious practices. Complaints are to be probed by trained policemen and can even be lodged by third parties not involved in an exploitative ritual.

The ordinance targets forced and exploitative practices - not those that are voluntary or that do not take a physical or financial toll on people. Chanting mantras on a personal level to ward off evil spirits will not constitute an offence. But forcing an expensive, exorcism ritual could attract a complaint.

Who is pushing the people to go to the practitioners of black magic or other rituals or quacks? It is the inability of the Government to provide primary affordable healthcare and the lackadaisical approach of the administration towards the poor. The poor having no other option go to these people for cure which is readily available. The best thing for the government to do would be to teach people of better medicines and also give health care to poor in remote villages. Government should also ensure that literacy levels are increased amongst the populace. This will at least reduce the number of gullible folk. Education will definitely bring about a change in the minds of people and the more aware they become, they will be clear in what they do.

This step of Maharashtra government deserves applause, but the onus will lie on police and public to completely eradicate this menace from the society especially in rural areas.

Besides the law, we need social and educational reforms which will curb such practices. Why not to include a chapter or two in the school curriculum which explains and educate students about such practices?

Inculcating a scientific temper is not a Directive Principle under Indian Constitution but a Fundamental Duty under one of the Articles in the Book on Indian Constitution.

Superstitions have long been one of the strange phenomena, which are commonly observed, well accepted and yet hardly understood. In fact, the more one learns about this universe and its systems and events, the more we arrive at the realization of our own ignorance. This ignorance is what makes us believe in many supernatural phenomenon, god and religion included. The same ignorance and the very awareness of this ignorance also makes one believe in superstition.

But what many fail to realize is that the consequences of superstitious beliefs are negative in the long run. Such superstitions give birth to the frauds who fool people and indulge in so called sorcery, black magic, etc. and amass wealth. This bill will at least reduce, if not completely eliminate, such crimes. Every state government should follow the Maharashtra government in passing a bill against superstition.