Assam govt proposes law to ban 'magical healing'
Guwahati (PTI): The Assam government on Wednesday introduced a new legislation in the assembly aimed at eliminating non-scientific healing practices.
The proposed law seeks to criminalise "magical healing", conducted by individuals with malicious intent, making it a cognisable and non-bailable offence punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The 'Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024' was introduced in the House by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika on behalf of the home and political departments held by the chief minister.
The Bill aims to bring social awakening in society and to create a healthy, science-based knowledge and safe environment to protect human health against the evil and sinister practices of ignorance.
According to the statement of objects and reasons' of the Bill, no person shall take any part in healing practices and magical healing propagation for treatment of any diseases, disorder or any condition relating to the health of a person, directly or indirectly, giving a false impression of providing treatment.
It also bars any person from taking part in any sort of advertisement relating to any kind of medicine, or remedy (directly or indirectly) relating to any false claim to cure diseases through healing practices.
"The evil practice of magical healing by any person with a sinister motive to exploit common people is a cognisable and non-bailable offence under the said Bill," the statement of object and reasons said.
The punishment will range from imprisonment of one year, which may be extended up to three years, or with a fine of Rs 50,000, or both in case of first conviction, the Bill said.
In case of subsequent convictions, a person will face imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both, it said.
Vigilance officers, who will be police officers not below the rank of a sub-inspector, will be entrusted with checking such evil healing practices or magical healing, it added.
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Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
