Gandhinagar, August 21 – The Gujarat Assembly, during its three-day monsoon session, unanimously passed an Anti-Superstition Bill aimed at curbing black magic and other inhumane practices associated with superstition across the state. This significant legislation makes Gujarat the seventh state in India to implement such a law, following Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Assam.
The new law provides for severe penalties for those engaging in or promoting superstitious practices, including black magic and human sacrifice. Offenders now face a minimum of six months and up to seven years in prison, along with fines ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Importantly, offenses under this act are considered non-bailable, reflecting the seriousness with which the state government is approaching the issue.
Home State Minister Harsh Sanghvi, who introduced the bill, emphasized the lack of specific legislation to combat practices driven by black magic until now. He noted that despite 78 years of independence, such incidents still surface, necessitating stringent measures. The introduction of this law was significantly influenced by a directive from the Gujarat High Court, which responded to a public interest litigation filed by the All India Anti-Superstition Committee among others.
The court had emphasized the state's responsibility as a welfare state to prevent superstition and directed the government to report back on the measures it had taken to address these issues. Following this, the Gujarat government drafted the Anti-Superstition Bill as a robust response to eliminate harmful practices that exploit people's beliefs and fears.
This law aims to protect citizens from exploitation under the guise of superstition, ensuring that faith and cultural practices do not suffer while eliminating harmful acts disguised as religious or spiritual activities.
