There are many regions in the country which still witness human sacrifices, abuses and exploitation in the name of religion.
India needs a targeted legislation to effectively curb such inhuman superstitious practices.
What is the need?
IPC - The provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is not equipped to take care of crimes committed on account of black magic and other superstitious practices.
The cognisance of human sacrifice is in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) only after the murder is committed.
Nature - The relationship between a devotee and so-called godman is of a peculiar nature, often marked by subtly identifiable violence.
Also, the acts involving human sacrifice cannot be stopped as they are often preceded by some puja and offerings.
These religious ceremonies are certainly not banned under any law.
What is Maharashtra's legislation in this regard?
Maharashtra has implemented the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
This anti-superstition law primarily addresses exploitation in the name of religion.
The legislation has a capacity to act as a deterrent for many inhuman practices.
It has considerably curbed the act of human sacrifice as it is banned under the law.
A section in the legislation specifically addresses and checks claims made by ‘godmen’ who say they have supernatural powers.
The law also makes it possible to curtail activities of so-called godmen before they become too powerful.
What is the way forward?
Opponents to the legislation in Maharashtra had claimed that the law would affect the religious practices of the Hindus.
However, superstitious practices that are utterly dehumanising, brutal and exploitative need to be dealt with by a specific law.
India should seriously consider bringing in place a legislation similar to that of the Maharashtra anti-superstition law.
It is not to be denied that every superstition could not be removed by the force of law; social and mental changes are also necessary.
