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print version(From: Indian Express)
State dithers on black magic Bill again
by Swatee Kher
April 23 2011, Mumbai:
The state government has dithered on introducing the black magic Bill yet again. The much-delayed Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic, Evil and Aghori Practices Bill was not introduced in the just-concluded Assembly session despite a promise to do so and the Cabinet clearing the Bill during the session.
The Bill, first introduced in 2005, has kicked up a controversy, with the Shiv Sena and several Hindutva groups opposing it. The Bill has also been redrafted several times to clear definitions and contents. Earlier this month, following protest by rationalists in state, the government had promised that the Bill would be introduced in the Budget session. The Cabinet had even cleared the Bill for introduction in the legislature.
The issue had also been raised in the Assembly by BJP MLA Chainsukh Sancheti who sought action against the killing of two children on October 15, 2010, at Nallasopara (Thane) and murder of a three-year-old girl in Borivali in February this year.
However, the six-week-long Assembly session concluded on Thursday without the Bill being tabled.
Narendra Dabholkar of the Maharashtra Blind Faith Eradication Committee said he was hopeful the government would introduce an ordinance based on the Cabinet decision on the Bill and regularise it in the monsoon session.
“This is the first time the government has been affirmative in its agreement over introducing and passing the Bill. The content has not been changed much this time, except the title of the Bill. We hope the government will keep its word to bring in ordinance and then regularise it,†said Dabholkar.
Asked if he was concerned that many other Bills were passed in the past two weeks, but this Bill was not even tabled, Dabholkar said, “It is not a priority issue for the government. But we hope the government will keep its word.â€
Some sections of society are still opposing the Bill, fearing curbs on their traditional practices. Dabholkar said senior ministers had promised to speak to these sections and convince them that the contents would not harm their practices.
