“Superstition a curse on society”

Although there is no single definition of superstition, it generally means a belief in supernatural forces such as fate the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a need to resolve uncertainty. In this way then, individual beliefs and experiences drive superstitions, which explains why they are generally irrational and often defy current scientific wisdom.

Psychologists who have investigated what role superstitions play, have found that they derive from the assumption that a connection exists between co-occurring, non-related events. For instance, the notion that charms promote good luck, or protect you from bad luck.

For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviors provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and angst.

Recent incident of Delhi in which a whole family of 11 members was found dead in north Delhi’s Burari locality on Sunday 1st june 2018, relatives of the members have insisted that it wasn't a case of suicide, They have also dismissed reports that there was a "spiritual" angle to the deaths. Police is investigating whether the 11 members of the family, aged between 15 and 77 years, killed themselves as part of a suicide pact, after they found handwritten notes from the house, which indicated a "religious or spiritual angle" to the deaths.

The handwritten notes stated the "human body is temporary and one can overcome fear by covering their eyes and mouth".

 India needs legislation on superstition, though what should go into it requires debate. Every superstition cannot be removed by the force of law. For that, a mental change is necessary. However, superstitious practices that are utterly dehumanizing, brutal and exploitative need to be dealt with by a law that specifically addresses them.

Maharashtra has implemented the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. The rest of the country could learn from it. In Maharashtra, the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and my father, Narendra Dabholkar, fought for 18 years for such a law to be put in place. There were several groups which tilted the conversation by projecting it as a law against religion. Narendra Dabholkar had to fight a relentless battle against them.

It is apity that some of our people remain steeped in witchcraft beliefs and the occult nonsence , even as we purport to be moving in tandem with the globalised world of science and technology. we need to change if we are to develop.