Bangalore:
The Karnataka government is planning to introduce a bill against superstition - the Karnataka Prevention of Superstitious Practices Bill 2013 - in the next legislature session.
Karnataka, like elsewhere in India, has its share of superstitious practices that can be dangerous - like the throwing of babies off the roof of a temple in north Karnataka. Or controversial - like the Made snana ritual at the famous Kukke Subramanya temple that has people rolling on food left over by Brahmins.
The Bangalore based National Law School of India University (NLSUI) has worked on a draft for the Karnataka Prevention of Superstitious Practices Bill 2013 - which will be examined by the state's Advocate General Ravi Varma Kumar.
"In India there is no law banning superstition as such. There are various provisions in the Indian penal code which may be utilized for the purpose of prosecuting those who are spreading superstition only when they result in injury or victimisation. But there is no law prohibiting superstition as such... We are very happy that the government of Karnataka has decided to take this step forward after the 42nd amendment for the first time - and in that direction these drafts have been placed before the government, the Advocate General told NDTV.
The Karnataka bill would come in the wake of a similar effort by Maharashtra. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "In Maharashtra, it is already in force. So our government is seriously thinking to bring such a legislation in Karnataka also in this connection... This legislation we will discuss in the government and bring it and try to introduce in the coming assembly."
Among the recommendations made in the draft is death sentence for those conducting human sacrifice - and the establishment of a Karnataka Anti Superstition Authority.