Atheists Association seeks law against witchcraft

Vijayawada, Jan 7 (UNI) Former Indian Medical Association (IMA) Vice-President and noted medical science writer Samaram stressed there should be a collective effort from all quarters to address the issue of 'Banamathi' (sorcery).

Speaking at the three-day World Atheist Conference here yesterday, he said 'Banamathi' was claiming lives of scores of people across the country.

He said in Europe, more than three million people were tortured and murdered in the name of witchcraft and sorcery and said the Atheist Centre had been instrumental in investigating claims along with the help of media, police and government personnel in Andhra.

Provision of health facilities and drinking water to rural areas would help ward off blind beliefs. Superstitions and ignorance were responsible for nurturing witchcraft.

Andhra Shradha Nirmulam Samithi Pune President Dr Rajendra Kankariya said legal action was needed to protect the common people against customs thriving on ignorance, such as black magic, witchcraft and sorcery.

The act needed to be drafted and put before the Centre for passing it in the Parliament, he said.

Representative from Chennai Thinkers' Forum P R Muthukrishnan said in India, communal clashes occurred not only between Hindus and Muslims but also between different sects like Shia and Sunni or between different castes and clans within Hindus.

Kerala Science Trust Secretary Iringal Krishnan said political and communal organisation from various religions groomed segregation in society by fundamentalism and terrorism.

UNI