Maharashtra's Anti-Superstition Law Remains Toothless Without Operational Rules
In a stark revelation from Pune and Nashik, the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, enacted twelve years ago, continues to lack operational rules, severely hampering its enforcement and leaving vulnerable individuals, particularly women, exposed to exploitation.
Victims Speak Out: Faith Weaponized Against the Vulnerable
On a humid evening in Pune, a young woman walked into a police station after months of silence, having been repeatedly exploited by an astrologer she turned to for relief through rituals. "I didn't know there was a law against such practices. Had I known, I would have gone to the police much before," she told TOI. Other victims emphasized that faith should never become a weapon against the vulnerable, and the law must protect them effectively.
According to estimates from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), nearly 80% of victims in cases registered under the law are women from urban centers like Nashik and even Mumbai. These women face sexual exploitation, financial fraud, or psychological abuse in the name of miracles and rituals, with fraudulent practitioners coming from all religious backgrounds.
Legislative Gap: No Rules, No Roadmap for Protection
The law, which saw the light of day in December 2013 following the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in Pune that August, still has no official rules. Krishna Chandgude, state secretary of MANS, highlighted that without these rules, there is no official roadmap for the rehabilitation or protection of victims. "It has severely affected the investigation process. In many cases, victims of black magic and those falsely accused of practicing it require immediate state protection," he added.
Mukta Dabholkar, activist and daughter of Narendra Dabholkar, stressed the importance of framing rules for effective implementation. "Framing of rules is important for the effective implementation of the Act. We took it up with successive governments but nothing has happened," she said. This lack of guidelines creates a significant gap between legislation and practical enforcement.
Exploitation Continues Amid Government Inaction
Thaksen Gorane, another senior MANS office-bearer, pointed out that the government's hesitation to formalize procedures results in women and weaker sections of society falling prey to fraudulent individuals. The recent arrest of 'astrologer' Ashok Kharat for alleged atrocities against women has prompted MANS activists to reiterate their demand for rules.
A woman from Pune, who approached MANS after being pressured into ritualistic healing, identified awareness as the biggest challenge. "Many women are emotionally and financially dependent on families or faith healers. When something goes wrong, they are blamed or silenced. A strong law is important, but awareness and police support are equally necessary," she explained.
Proposed Solutions and Activist Demands
Activists have proposed several measures to bridge the implementation gap:
- Establish dedicated cells in every police station with information boards to guide victims.
- Include citizens who believe in scientific temper and MANS activists as members of these cells, with regular meetings.
- Assign dedicated officials to provide security, assist in FIR registration, and maintain data on fraud in their jurisdiction.
Mukta Dabholkar has written to the police department, listing five demands in the context of the Kharat case. MANS activists plan to submit district-wise lists of fraudulent godmen along with evidence to district superintendents of police. Additionally, posters about the Act in police stations are seen as a way to strengthen awareness and implementation.
Data and Awareness Initiatives
The organization is pushing for systematic data collection on cases registered under the Act over the past 13 years. According to MANS estimates, more than 2,000 cases have been registered since 2013, but social stigma and fear of defamation prevent many victims from filing complaints, allowing exploitative practices to persist.
MANS has launched a statewide helpline to compile a district-wise database of fraudulent practitioners. "We have received 39 calls from individuals seeking help. These victims are getting legal guidance and psychological counseling by local experts," said Mahendra Datrange of MANS. The organization has also offered its taluka-level experts to conduct training for police and the public through government infrastructure, without seeking any of the allotted funds for anti-superstition awareness.
Government Response and Future Outlook
Senior officials from the social justice department confirmed that rules are still pending and should have been prepared to strengthen enforcement. However, calls and messages to seek comments from Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat went unanswered, highlighting the ongoing bureaucratic delays.
As Maharashtra grapples with this critical issue, the urgent need for operational rules under the anti-superstition law remains a pressing concern to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation and ensure the law's intended impact is realized.
