In order to eradicate witchcraft and related practices, the State Government on Monday introduced the Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Bill-2013 in the Assembly for approval.
The Bill was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kalpataru Das on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who holds the Home Department portfolio. The Bill would be discussed for passing on Tuesday after the fixation of time by the Business Advisory Committee.
As per the statement and objects of the Bill, who ever commits witch hunting or abets or promotes it shall be punished with imprisonment of a term which may extend to three years and fine. The Bill envisages that persons will be prohibited to indentify, accuse or defame a woman calling her as witch or practice any witchcraft.
It says that whoever performs any practice as witch doctor knowingly that such practice shall cause harm or injury to the person on whom such practices are applied, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year, but may extend to three years or with fine.
The Bill also says branding a woman as witch, forcing her to drink or eat any inedible substance or parade her with painted face or body or committing similar acts which is derogatory to human dignity shall be punishable with imprisonment for term which shall not be less than one year but may extend to five years and with fine.