Supreme Court of India Says No to PIL on Superstition and Sorcery
The Supreme Court of India, on Friday, refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought directions for the government to take steps to eradicate superstition, sorcery, and similar practices. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that courts are not the solution to all societal issues.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but emphasized that it is the responsibility of civil society and the democratic arms of the government to address such matters. Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked, “The answer is education, the spread of literacy… The more educated you become, the presumption is that more rational you become. How can a court direction for developing scientific temper help? Writs can’t be an answer to all the evils in society.”
The PIL was filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who also sought directions to promote scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry among citizens, in line with Article 51A of the Constitution. The bench advised Upadhyay that courts have limitations and cannot entertain every serious issue, suggesting that there are other ways to bring about social change.
As the court was not inclined to entertain the petition, Upadhyay withdrew his plea. The petition had also sought a strict anti-superstition and sorcery law to prevent unscientific acts and exploitation by fake seers. Additionally, it suggested forming an expert committee to explore the feasibility of criminalizing such practices by adding a chapter in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court of India -: The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country. It makes important decisions on legal matters.
PIL -: PIL stands for Public Interest Litigation. It is a legal action taken to protect the public interest.
Superstition -: Superstition is a belief in things that are not based on science or reason, like believing that breaking a mirror brings bad luck.
Sorcery -: Sorcery is the use of magic, especially black magic, to try to control events or people.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud -: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is the head judge of the Supreme Court of India. He leads the court in making important legal decisions.
Judicial intervention -: Judicial intervention means the court getting involved in solving a problem. In this case, the court decided not to get involved.
Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay -: Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay is a lawyer who filed the PIL. He wanted the court to take action against superstition and sorcery.
Expert committee -: An expert committee is a group of people with special knowledge who are asked to study a problem and suggest solutions.
Criminalizing -: Criminalizing means making something illegal. The plea suggested making superstition and sorcery against the law.
