A plea has been filed with the Supreme Court to direct the Centre and States to take appropriate steps to remove the evil of superstition, witchcraft and other alike imaginery forces.
The petitioner claims that an urgent need for a strong anti-superstition act is required to do away with unscientific acts pervading in society which are detrimental to the community at large as well as fake seers who exploit innocent people.
This petition has also prayed for directions to be issued by this Hon’ble Court upon the Union of India and State Governments so as to promote scientific temper, humanism, spirit of inquiry and reform amongst citizens as enshrined in Article 51 A (h) of Constitution of India dealing with fundamental duties.
Through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, who filed the plea on behalf of petitioner states that “Petitioner is filing this writ petition as PIL under Article 32 seeking appropriate writ, order or direction to Centre and states to take appropriate steps to control superstition and sorcery in order to secure the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 21, 25 of the Constitution.”
Alternatively, it seeks a direction from this Hon’ble Court upon Union Government too constituting an expert committee regarding feasibility of criminalizing superstitious thoughts, sorcery and related practices through insertion of chapter in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The plea says “However, not all can be abolished by legislation alone. For this purpose there must come about a change in mental attitude.”
It pointed out that such social issues require legislation only in part.
“A meaningful reform will need increased awareness among masses through information campaigns involving community/religious leaders dispelling myths associated with these practices,” said the plea
Some superstitious practices have been described therein whose abrogation calls for such specific laws addressing them which are brutal, dehumanizing and exploitative.
It further alleges that several individuals and organizations are carrying out mass conversions through superstition and sorcery.
