Assam government tables Bill against ‘Magic Healing’
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Piyush Hazarika, on behalf of the Home and Political portfolios held by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, introduced the 'Assam Magic Treatment (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024' in the House.
GUWAHATI- The Assam government on Wednesday proposed a new legislation in the Assembly aimed at eradicating ‘Magic Healing’ or non-scientific healing methods. The proposed law has a provision to criminalize ‘magical healing’ by persons with malicious intentions, making it a cognizable and non-bailable offence. In this, the culprits will face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Piyush Hazarika, on behalf of the Home and Political portfolios held by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, introduced the ‘Assam Magic Treatment (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024’ in the House.
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The bill aims to bring social awareness in the society and create a healthy, science-based safe environment to protect human health from horrific practices.
According to the ‘Statement of Objects and Reasons’ of the Bill, no person shall be directly or indirectly involved in the dissemination of magical remedies for the treatment of any disease, disorder or health related problem of any person.
There is also a provision to prohibit giving any advertisement related to any person making any false claim of curing diseases through magic treatment.
Its objects and reasons state, ‘The evil practice of magical treatment by any person with the sinister intention of exploiting the general public is a cognizable and non-bailable offense under the said Bill.’
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The bill states that if found guilty for the first time, the punishment will be one year which may extend to three years, or a fine of Rs 50,000, or both.
It says that after this, if the person is found guilty, he can face imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both.
It said that vigilance officers will be assigned the task of investigating magical remedies. It says that the rank of such officers will not be below that of Sub-Inspector.
