In a significant move to curb the menace of superstition and black magic in Gujarat, the High Court has taken a firm stance by issuing notices to the state government and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi, is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that calls for a special law to address these issues.
The court has asked the government for its response and scheduled further hearings in the coming days. The PIL highlights the alarming rise in cases related to superstition and black magic in Gujarat, emphasizing the absence of specific legal provisions to tackle these problems. Unlike Gujarat, states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Assam have enacted laws to combat such practices.
The petitioners argued that Gujarat urgently needs similar legislation to protect public welfare and safety. They cited several sensitive cases to underscore the gravity of the situation. Notably, Maharashtra enacted the Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act shortly after the murder of Narendra Dabholkar, the founder of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti.
The PIL stressed that marginalized and tribal communities are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by superstitious practices, although other societal segments also suffer. To ensure public safety and trust, the petitioners urged the implementation of stringent laws against superstition and black magic in Gujarat. The High Court’s demand for a government response marks a crucial step towards addressing these pressing issues.
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