The long-pending Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, which was listed for re-introduction in the business of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today, could not be tabled following ruckus on the issue of firing on agitating farmers.
Since, the House was adjourned for the day as Opposition stalled proceedings over the police firing in Pune district which killed three persons and injured more than dozen, the Bill did not come up for introduction. It is likely to be tabled tomorrow.
The controversial savings clause number 13 which says that religious rites and rituals that cause financial and physical harm to any person will be covered under the act has been retained.
Several organisations including Warkaris, who are devotees of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur have objected to the provisions in the Bill.
Government officials had said that the provision will not be deleted since the objective of the Bill will collapse. 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.
According to the government, the Bill is aimed to bring social awakening and awareness in the society and to create a healthy and safe social environment with a view to protect common man in the society against evil and sinister practices and customs thriving on ignorance and blind beliefs, and to combat and eradicate human sacrifice and other inhuman, evil practices.