Enact anti-superstition law

SHILLONG, AUG 5: Concerned over the rising incidents of barbaric act that stems from superstitious beliefs, the Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council (MPHRC) felt the Meghalaya government should enact a Special Anti-Superstition law to eradicate such harmful practices.

Shocked over the recent incidents of forcing the victims, who were alleged to be practicing witch craft, to eat human and dog excreta in two separate incidents by the village elders and relatives, MPHRC chairperson Dino DG Dympep said that the superstitious beliefs of the people are misuse for their own interests by those who provokes other to react to the imaginary allegation.

Dympep said“Since there is a rising numbers of superstitions and other witch-hunting violent cases and which many a times are gross human rights abuses, the enactment of a Special Anti-Superstition Law is very important because as a society we will continue to belief in superstitious and ritualistic practices.”

Dympep said that believing in religious practices and having faith in certain religious beliefs it is part of every citizen’s fundamental rights but following barbaric and evil rituals is not. He felt such beliefs that cause damage to the society must be changed. He said enacting an anti superstition law will protect innocent lives who are victims of such a belief that defies logic. He felt such beliefs that lead to violation of human rights needs to be condemned and discouraged by all section of the society.

Dympep also suggested that till the time any specific law is enacted to deal with such cases, the government must set up a special cell to deal with the issue and also come up with specific recommendation to put an end to such practices.- By Our Reporter