Day after Dabholkar killing, Maharashtra approves Ordinance on black magic The angry protests sparked by the brutal murder on Tuesday of renowned rationalist Narendra Dabholkar have prompted the Maharashtra government to clear an ordinance enforcing the anti-superstition measures he had championed for years. Mr. Dabholkar had drafted an Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Bill 13 years ago but it repeatedly failed to get through the Assembly. The Bill had proposed that those indulging in black magic or cashing in on people’s superstitions be jailed for up to seven years. It also sought to ban a range of practices including animal sacrifice and magical remedies to cure ailments. Mr. Dabholkar’s family was sharply critical of the delay. “The Bill was kept pending for years. We do not know if his life would have been saved if the government had acted earlier but it would have sent out a message that the government stands by rationalist thought,” said his daughter Mukta Dabholkar. “His life was a sacrifice. Now the government needs to make it clear whether it will protect those who work for society or wait for more ...
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:01:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015