GUWAHATI, March 19 � Irked at the government�s lack of initiative in tabling the draft of the anti-superstition law in the ongoing session of the State Legislative Assembly, social organisation Brothers today said that it�s a setback for those fighting against evil practices like witch hunting.
Brothers has been taking up the issue of witch hunting at various forums along with working for the rehabilitation, treatment and counselling of the victims of �witch hunting� and leading awareness campaigns in the remote areas of the state.
According of Dibyajyoti Saikia, secretary general of the organisation, the people of Assam were expecting the Bill in the Assembly during the Budget Session. He said that if the Act against witch hunting and other superstitious beliefs is not implemented during the current session, it would launch a strong democratic movement in the days to come.
�We have been demanding an anti-superstition law in the state since 2011. In 2013 and 2014, we pressurised the government to introduce this law through discussions at various levels and democratic movements as well. The government assured us about introducing this law. However, till date the Bill is entangled in government formalities,� said Saikia.
�It is discouraging for those who are fighting such evil practices and also for the victims of witch hunting and other such malpractices,� he added.
The organisation has asked the government to include certain points in the law against superstition. The points include provision of fine and jail against persons following superstitious practices, provision of jail against persons spreading rumours about any other individual, if proved guilty. It also demanded life imprisonment with fine if an individual is found guilty of witch hunting and proper rehabilitation of the victims of witch hunting along with their kith and kin, and provision of security and award for whistleblowers.