From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi
Belagavi, Nov 16: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017, which is commonly known as the “anti-superstition” bill, with minor changes.
The bill seeks to ban made snana, the 'evil practice' of rolling over plantain leafs with left-over food mostly at temples. However, the stamping of ``mudra’’ or symbols on the shoulders of Upper Caste Madhwa community has been exempted.
All forms of advertisements regarding subjugation of evil spirits or curing of diseases through this practice are proposed to be banned under the bill.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who intervened during the debate, said some of the provisions in the original bill had to be left due to opposition from several persons. He clarified that his decision to change his official car had nothing to do with a crow sitting on it as was claimed by some persons.
Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, who had piloted the bill, promised to consider all suggestions given by members in the debate while drafting the rules pertaining to the Bill after its becomes a law.
BJP opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, CT Ravi, S Suresh Kumar, Govind Karjol (all BJP members), JD(S) members Y S V Datta, H K Kumarswamy and H D Revanna and also B R Patil spoke during the debate.