The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Goa, a Hindu outfit, on Tuesday said that an ‘Anti-Black Magic’ Bill as demanded by Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti is irrelevant for Goa.
The HJS has, through a memorandum submitted to Goa Chief Minister in his capacity as Law Minister of the State on Monday that the ‘Anti-Black Magic’ Bill demanded by Andhashradha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS), Maharashtra on the lines of Maharashtra law is not required for Goa.
Mr. Shyam Manav of Maharashtra ANS, anti-superstition activist had, during his recent Goa visit, expressed his opinion saying that such legislation is required in Goa and that he will make a demand in this regard with Government of Goa.
The memorandum of HJS alleged that the Maharashtra Congress Government succumbed to the pressure of Maharashtra ANS, an atheist organisation and passed the ‘Anti-Black Magic’ law in Maharashtra.
“This bill is terrible as all offences covered under this Bill are cognizable and non-bailable,” said state coordinator of HJS and said that the organisation has been opposing this Bill for the past nine years. Moreover, it said that the offences mentioned in the Bill have already been covered by the IPC and thus, there is no need for this new, separate law.
HJS memorandum to the government apprehended that if this Bill is passed in Goa, then, “majority of the religious and devout population will be forced to stop their religious rituals and practices”.
Arguing that there are no incidents of slaughtering of human beings (Narbali), performing black-magic, etc., in Goa, it ruled out cases of exploitation of Goans in the name of superstition.