As reported by the
Hindustan Times, the Indian state of Maharashtra became the first state to ban black magic as the governor last night signed into law as an Ordinance-- rather than waiting for state assembly approval-- a long-pending ban on such practices. An Ordinance remains in effect for 6 months, but can be reissued. As summarized by the
Times of India, the new ordinance:
* Prohibits practice, promotion and propagation of human sacrifice, other inhuman, evil and Aghori practices and black magic, unauthorized, illegal practices of medicine or healing or curing by quacks, conmen etc.
* Such practices will be treated as offence and punishable with imprisonment for a term of six months extending up to seven years along with a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. The offences to be non-bailable.
The action follows the murder last week in Pune of rationalist crusader Narendra Dabholkar. Today's
New York Times carries a front-page story on his murder.
