Maharashtra govt's Anti Black Magic bill drags on as Warkaris continue opposition

The long pending ‘Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic’ bill is unlikely to be re-introduced in the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature. Social justice department officials said that the bill is currently being amended after it was approved by the state Cabinet. [caption id=“attachment_55766” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Utpal Baruah/Reuters.”]  [/caption] “We are currently in discussions with various sections of the society to finalise the provisions before introducing it in the legislature,” officials told PTI. According to them, Warkari organisations are objecting to the Savings clause number 13 in the proposed bill which says that religious rites and rituals that cause financial and physical harm to any person will be covered under the act. Warkaris are devotees of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. “Warkari organisations say that the warkaris walk on foot from different parts of the state to Pandharpur every year. According to them, it is also a type of physical harm and fear that the warkari dindi might be affected,” officials said. The word “mental harm” has been deleted, while a detailed schedule of what constitutes physical and financial harm is clearly spelt out, they said. “The warkaris are not covered in the schedule. But, they want the clause to be removed. However, if that happens, objective of the bill will collapse. We are confident that a solution will be found,” officials added. The bill was first introduced in the State Legislature in 2005. But, since then no decision was taken, it has lapsed and the government now proposes to re-introduce it. Sanjay Sawarkar of the Maharashtra Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS), an anti-superstitions organisation blamed the government for the delay in enacting the legislation. “If the government had will power to pass the bill, it could have done it,” he said. Sawarkar observed the objections and concerns of those opposing the bill have been addressed and suitable amendments made. “If you see the current provisions and the objections raised now by a section of the people, you will realise that everybody is just dragging their feet on this issue,” he said. The bill has been approved by the cabinet and it was the duty of the government to fix a deadline to reply to objections and get the bill passed, Savarkar said, adding “the government is dragging its feet on this issue”. According to Pandharpur-based Warkari Sanghatna, a memorandum opposing the bill was submitted last week to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Home Minister R R Patil. PTI