From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 15: A much diluted and weak anti-superstitions bill is likely to be introduced during winter session of the state legislature to be held in November-December in Belagavi.

Following protests within the government and outside, the State Government has amended the intended ‘Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifices and other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill.’

The bill has provisions for banning superstitious practices including made snana, astrology and animal sacrifices.
Several of the provisions, which had met with stiff resistance from orthodox Hindus and even opposition parties, would be dropped from the amended bill, according to Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa.

A Cabinet subcommittee headed by Thimmappa drafted the Bill and sent for being vetted by the Law Department before it was introduced in the legislature.

Thimmappa told presspersons on Friday that superstitions cannot be eliminated by delivering speeches.
"Practice of superstitions can be stopped by only through awareness and education," he said.

Following strong opposition from BJP and some seers who described the proposed bill as 'anti-Hindu', the State Government had deferred the Bill several times.

It is seen as a commitment made by the Chief Minister to rationalists, writers and activists fighting for banning superstitious practices.