Pune: Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti Calls for Action Against Election Superstitions

Pune, 15th April 2024: Currently, the nation is amidst Lok Sabha elections, where some candidates are resorting to superstitions to exert influence on their opponents and voters. Utilizing superstitions to instil fear in voters during elections is not only illegal but also breaches the model code of conduct. The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has urged the police administration to take legal action under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Injurious, and Aghori Practices and Witchcraft Act-2013 against those engaging in such practices.

Numerous complaints have been lodged with MANS during this election period. Dr. Hamid Dabholkar, Prashant Potdar, Vandana Mane, Deepak Mane, Bhagwan Ranadive, Shankar Kanse, Hauserao Dhumal, Sukumar Mandape, and Pramodini Mandape have encouraged individuals to report any instances of superstition being used to coerce voters.

These acts instil fear of superstition among voters and encompass various tactics such as making voters swear allegiance by placing their hand on a coconut, compelling them to swear by lifting sacred items, taking them to revered temples for oaths, summoning practitioners of mysticism to influence women voters, engaging religious figures to sway voters, and deploying superstitious items like black dolls, lemons, peppers, and coconuts in the vicinity of opposing candidates. These practices, including alleged black magic rituals against opponents, are in direct violation of the Model Election Code of Conduct, as they intimidate voters, constituting an offence under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Injurious, and Aghori Practices and Witchcraft Act-2013.