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MANGALORE: Even as the opposition is slamming the state government for the draft Karnataka Prevention of Superstitious Practices Bill, 2013, some of its own party members have also joined the opposition bandwagon.

 On Friday, Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary urged the government not to implement the bill saying that it would hurt the religious sentiments of all communities. He said the existing laws were sufficient to prevent superstitious practices.

 All religions have beliefs and superstitions. This Bill will infringe on religious beliefs. There are laws to prevent superstitious beliefs like black magic, human sacrifice, Devadasi system and Bettale Seve system. Instead of implementing such a bill, government should devise programmes to create awareness among the public,’’ he said.

 Regarding Made Made Snana practice at Kukke Subrahmanya, Poojary said no previous government had prevented this. Nobody had created awareness that such practice was wrong and below human dignity, he said, adding that if he were the CM he would have enacted a law to ban Made Made Snana. This is a practice of people rolling on plantain leaves used by Brahmins for meals, under the belief that it will cure them of skin ailments. The ritual is held during the Champa Shasthi fair in Subrahmanya every year for three days.

 Meanwhile, Narendra Nayak, president, Federation of Indian Rationalists Associations, said the attitude of the parties, particularly the BJP, in opposing the anti- superstition act was akin to opposition to the law banning Sati, child marriage etc. At that time the reactionary elements of the society vociferously opposed these progressive measures under the guise of religious freedom,’’ he said.

 Nayak said those who have objections to any specific sections of the act could discuss that in the assembly and bring amendments if they can convince the majority about them. In trying to defend inhuman practices which are passed off as tradition, the party is exposing its intellectual hypocrisy,’’ he added.

 A matter of belief

 Poojary said that even doctors acknowledge the importance of spirituality in curing illness. Citing his own case, Poojary said: "I met with accidents thrice in my old car. But since I escaped without any major injuries, I have kept it with me without selling it. This is a matter of belief.’’