Minister for social justice Shivajirao Moghe has found himself in the dock over his comments on the proposed anti-superstition bill. Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly, Eknath Khadse, has moved a breach of privilege notice against him alleging that he has made certain changes in the bill without taking the House into confidence.
While moving the motion, Mr Khadse said, “Mr Moghe has said that the changes proposed by the anti-superstition activist Shyam Manav have been incorporated in the bill, which will be tabled in the House during the monsoon session. This is a clear breach of privilege of the House as both Mr Moghe and Mr Manav have challenged the sovereignty of the House.”
Mr Moghe, without taking the House into confidence, sought to amend the bill, with the help of Mr Manav, he said, and demanded the case should be sent to the breach of privilege committee of the House.
However, speaker Dilip Walse-Patil deferred the ruling, saying that an explanation from the minister is required in this case. “It will be against the principles of natural justice, if Mr Moghe is not allowed to explain his version,” he said.
Shyam Manav is the president of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), an organisation working to eradicate superstition. The MANS has been demanding the implementation of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill.
The bill proposes imprisonment up to seven years for those indulging in black magic and evil practices.