A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court requesting directions to the Centre and states to take appropriate measures to eradicate superstition, sorcery, and similar practices.
The petition argues that a stringent anti-superstition and sorcery law is urgently needed to eliminate unscientific acts prevalent in society that negatively impact the community and to prevent fraudulent seers from exploiting innocent individuals.
Filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the petition seeks directions for the Centre and states to promote scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform among citizens in accordance with Article 51A of the Constitution, which addresses fundamental duties.
The plea, submitted through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, seeks a writ, order, or direction to the Centre and states to control superstition and sorcery to secure the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution. Alternatively, it requests that the Centre constitute an expert committee to assess the feasibility of criminalizing superstition and sorcery by incorporating these offenses into the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The petition emphasizes that while a stringent anti-superstition and sorcery law is crucial, it alone cannot resolve the problem. A shift in mindset is necessary to address irrational views effectively.
“Legislative measures will only achieve partial success. Meaningful reform requires raising awareness through information campaigns and involving community and religious leaders to debunk myths surrounding such practices,” the plea states.
It also highlights that some superstitious practices, which are brutal, dehumanizing, and exploitative, need to be addressed specifically through legislation. The petition alleges that several individuals and organizations are using superstition and sorcery to carry out mass conversions.
