The Karnataka government's Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017 was unanimously passed in the Legislative Assembly with some minor amendments.
- The aim of the bill is to prevent and eradicate "inhuman evil practices"
- The bill was presented in the Assembly intends to protect the common people against "evil" and "sinister" practices.
- The bill is focused to combat and eradicate other such inhuman practices propagated and performed in the name of "black magic" by conman with sinister motive of exploiting the common people
- Through this bill, the government will raise awareness in the society and create healthy and safe social environment.
- The bill was proposed as The Evil, Inhuman and Superstitious Practices Prevention Bill.
- After omitting the word superstitious, it is now titled The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017
Banned Practices Under the Bill
- Performing any black magic, inhumane act and evil practices in search of treasure or bounty, tantric acts which include physical and sexual assault
- Practices such as parading people naked, ostracising a person in the name of a ritual and encouraging inhumane acts
- Rituals of exorcism, assaulting people under the pretext of exorcism, misinformation and creating a panic-like situation under the pretext of ghosts and black magic
- Making claims of having healing power, propagating practices that involve self-mutilation and coercing people to perform fire-walking will also be banned.
Practices Not Included Under the Bill
- Any form of worship including pradakshine, yatra, parikrama at any religious shrines, harikatha, keerthana, pravachana, bhajans
- Providing knowledge of ancient arts and practices, speaking about miracles performed by deceased saints and literature on them offering prayers, upasana, religious rituals at places of worship or at people’s homes, religious celebrations, festivals, processions, piercing of ears and nose, shaving of head, astrology and vaastu
