Anti-superstition law RPT law notified in Karnataka
Bengaluru, Jan 23: Over two years after it was passed by the Karnataka legislature, the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government has finally notified the much-hyped anti- superstition law that aims to prevent and eradicate "inhuman evil practices".
Interestingly, the BJP,which was then in the opposition, had expressed strong reservations about the bill, piloted by the Siddaramaiah led Congress government and passed by the state legislature in November 16 2017.
The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act RPT Act, 2017, that intends to protect the common people against "evil" and "sinister" practices, shall come into force with effect from January 4 2020, the government notification issued earlier this month said.
The Act seeks to combat and eradicate other such inhuman practices propagated and performed in the name of "black magic" by conmen with the sinister motive of exploiting the common people,thereby destroying the social fabric in society.
Further, it aims to bring social awakening and awareness in the society and create healthy and safe social environment.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah congratulated the BJP for enforcing the Act by rectifying its mistake of "condemning, hounding and maligning" his government when they tried to implement the Act with an intention to stop it .
He also hoped that things which are beliefs now "don't turn into superstition under pressure,"
Considered similar to the one in Maharashtra, the Act has 'savings' and 'schedule' categories, which classify practices that could be tolerated and those that need to be controlled or prohibited.
The notification said nothing in the act shall apply with respect to the forms of worship mentioned under the heading 'savings'
These include practices like 'pradakshina', yatras, 'parikramas' performed at religious places, among other normal practices.
It also includes the advice with regard to 'Vastushastra', advice by 'jyothishya' and other astrologers
Practices included under the 'schedule' for prohibition are -- performing any inhuman, evil act and black magic in search of precious things, bounty and hidden treasures
Other practices listed under 16 points for prohibition are facilitating any person to roll over leaves of leftover food by other people in public or religious places or similar practices that violate human dignity; subjecting women to inhuman and humiliating practices like parading them naked in the name of worship or otherwise, such as "bettale seve".
Also, forcing any person to carry out evil practices such as killing of an animal by biting its neck and coercing any person or persons to perform 'fire walk' at the time of 'jatras' (temple/village fest) and religious festivals have also been included, it added.
During the passage of the bill, certain amendments sought were made part of the bill, and a practice like Mudradharane by Madhwa Brahmins was exempted.
As per this practice, 'Mudras' (dyes) usually made of gold or copper are heated on coal fire and stamped on the body.
'Vashikaran', practiced in occult science as an act of subjugation or advertising about it in the name of treatment has been banned under the act, following the suggestions made by the members during the debate in the assembly.
The legislation was earlier proposed as The Evil, Inhuman and Superstitious Practices Prevention Bill.
After omitting the word superstitious, it was titled 'The Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2017.'
Superstitious practices, including black magic, are punishable under the Act for up to seven years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 can be imposed.
The act also aims to bring social awakening and awareness in society and create a healthy and safe social environment, and also calls for appointment of vigilance officers to oversee the implementation of the law.
ನಾವು ಮೌಢ್ಯನಿಷೇಧ ಕಾಯ್ದೆಯನ್ನು ಜಾರಿಗೆ ತರಲು ಹೊರಟಾಗ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನಿಂದಿಸಿ,ಪೀಡಿಸಿ ಅಪಪ್ರಚಾರ ಮಾಡಿ, ಅದನ್ನು ತಡೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದ @BJP4Karnataka ಈಗ ತಪ್ಪನ್ನು ತಿದ್ದಿಕೊಂಡು ಕಾಯ್ದೆಯನ್ನು ಜಾರಿಗೆ ತಂದದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 23, 2020
ಈಗಿನ 'ನಂಬಿಕೆ' ಒತ್ತಡಕ್ಕೆ ಬಾಗಿ 'ಮೂಢನಂಬಿಕೆ' ಆಗದಿರಲಿ.
ಮಡೆಸ್ನಾನ, ಮಾಟ–ಮಂತ್ರ, ವಶೀಕರಣದಂತ ಅನಿಷ್ಟ ಪದ್ಧತಿ ಆಚರಿಸುವವರನ್ನ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆಗೆ ಗುರಿಪಡಿಸಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ಇರುವ,@siddaramaiah ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮಹತ್ತರ ‘ಮೌಢ್ಯ ನಿಷೇಧ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ’ಯನ್ನ @BSYBJP ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಜಾರಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಸ್ವಾಗತಾರ್ಹ
— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) January 23, 2020
ಸಮಾಜದೊಳಗಿನ ಮೌಢ್ಯವನ್ನ ಈ ಕಾಯಿದೆಯ ನೆರವಿನಿಂದ, ನಿರಂತರ ಜನಜಾಗೃತಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ತೊಡೆದು ಹಾಕುವ ಹೊಣೆ ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರದು pic.twitter.com/EJ2ZD3Y7bL
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England sticking with Key, McCullum and Stokes despite Ashes humbling
London (AP): England is not sacking anybody following the 4-1 Ashes loss in Australia.
A review of the tour by the England and Wales Cricket Board, announced within hours of the final match in January, was concluded on Monday. Firing people would “be the easy thing to do,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould said but he insisted, "This is not the time to throw everything out."
Managing director Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes kept their jobs after the best England side to go to Australia in 14 years lost the Ashes in 11 days with two games to spare.
“Moving people on can sometimes be the easy thing to do. That's not the route that we're going to take,” Gould said. “I've seen the driving ambition and determination that we're lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes and move forward.”
Gould previously was the chief executive of Bristol City soccer club and said the ECB would not follow the same route as soccer's hire-and-fire culture.
“Cricket is a very unique sport in that it takes a team of leadership ... it's not like football where there's a single point of failure or success with a manager," he said. He added the ECB would not “select or deselect management based on a popularity campaign.”
The main criticisms of England's tour were poor preparation, player misbehavior, and selection mistakes.
At a press conference at Lord's, Gould and Key said McCullum and Stokes have not had a “bust up,” they did not want McCullum to “completely change” but “to evolve,” the behavior of some players was “unprofessional,” there will be more consequences for underperforming, and a commitment to “better long-term planning” ahead of major test series.
Some changes were already implemented for the Twenty20 World Cup, where England reached the semifinals. Gould implied that performance saved McCullum.
Key acknowledged that England supporters would be disappointed to see the management team go unpunished.
“I know people want punishment and that people then should be sacked for that,” Key said. “That doesn't mean we don't feel like we've gone through some serious pain: Brendon, myself, Ben. It's been as tough a time as I think I've had.”
