Maharashtra govt not implementing Black Magic Act properly, claims anti-superstition activist

Akhil Bhartiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti founder-president Shyam Manav on Friday said the Maharashtra government had failed to effectively implement an Act meant to tackle black magic and superstition.

Manav claimed funds sanctioned during the previous government led by the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) for awareness programmes related to Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act had been stopped by the present dispensation, rendering the law ''toothless''.

The Devendra Fadnavis government was instead promoting superstition by honouring ''fake babas and godmen'', he said.

Addressing a press conference in Jalna, Manav criticised Fadnavis and alleged that hurdles were being created in the implementation of the Act.

''The state government is encouraging superstitious practices in the state. It is honouring fake babas and godmen. Government-level committees formed for the prevention of superstition and promotion of public awareness have remained defunct,'' he said.

Appeals to the CM for funds for awareness campaigns similar to that provided by previous governments have been in vain, the noted anti-superstition activist claimed.

''The Maharashtra government's 2025-26 budget has allocated only Rs 7 crore for awareness regarding the Act. Of this, around Rs 1.77 crore has been given to NGOs that have no connection with scientific thinking or the anti-superstition movement,'' he said.

As per the Directive Principles of the Constitution of India, the state has a responsibility to promote scientific temper among citizens, Manav pointed out.

An anti-superstition awareness programme will be held on May 23 at 6 pm at Matoshree Lawn in Jalna, he said and urged citizens to attend the event in large numbers.