Superstitions and lawmaking

Although the government had earlier announced that it would bring a law to prevent witchcraft and superstitions, it had not initiated any steps for it. Meanwhile, there was criticism that the government had lagged behind in making the law in this regard. However, the Kerala government itself has informed the High Court that it has not lagged behind and that the government will soon formulate the law. The announcement that a law to prevent witchcraft and superstitions was made at a time when the human sacrifice in Elanthoor, the witchcraft that took place in many places and the related torture incidents were in the news. The fact that the distinction between custom and superstition is very thin complicates the making of the law in this regard.

Yesterday's immoral practices are becoming today's customs and vice versa. In the past, those who lived in the lower strata of society were not allowed to enter temples and other places by the rulers of the country at that time. Therefore, they worshipped evil spirits on their own and practised evil customs like animal sacrifice. Various systems of worshipping the forces of nature have been present since the beginning of mankind. Beliefs and customs began to become more and more refined as man began to progress from the dark ages of ignorance due to the influence of great souls born in society.

Sree Narayana Gurudeva is considered to be the first person in Kerala to remove the idols of Madan, Marutha, and Arukola and replace them with the idols of gods mentioned in the Vedas and establish temples. Without any commotion, encroachment, or protests, Gurudeva gave freedom of worship to those who were branded as lower castes among Hindus. Although Gurudeva installed idols inspired by the Vedas, he did not entrust representatives of the elite to perform the puja there. Instead, he assigned a person from the respective community. Gurudeva himself had explained to them the simple rules of puja. That was the greatest silent revolution without any conflict. This created a situation where if the majority of the population was not admitted to other Hindu temples, those temples would eventually become alienated. That is what paved the way for the temple entry proclamation and so on.

Although times have changed a lot, it cannot be said that even today, the number of evil individuals and centres that exploit humans socially, economically, physically, etc., in the name of superstitions and bad customs is not small. Many incidents are happening here frequently that raise doubts about whether superstitions and bad customs are increasing. Evil sorcerers take advantage of human deplorable conditions, ignorance, greed, and desire for revenge. Sexual harassment, treatment, and exorcisms carried out in the name of witchcraft should be prohibited by law, regardless of religion. Severe punishment should also be ensured for financial fraud in the name of supernatural powers. The government should formulate a law that comprehensively evaluates all aspects, and at the same time, does not hurt the sentiments of any religious group.