Maharashtra, considered one of the most progressive States in the country, has reported cases of at least one human sacrifice per month on an average in the last one year. Of the 104 cases registered in the first year after the previous Maharashtra government passed the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act in December 2013, activists have pointed out 15 cases of human sacrifice.

The Act, before it was passed by the Maharashtra Legislature, was termed by the then Opposition parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena, anti-Hindu. The Opposition had stalled the Assembly proceedings for several times in protest against the Act.

However, data gathered from across the State has shown that using the Act’s provisions, activists and the police have prevented possible human sacrifices in seven cases.

“We had been saying that such incidents do happen in Maharashtra and that is why we needed the Act. Now it is time to implement the law more effectively to curb such inhuman practices,” said Krushna Chandgude of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS). Mukta Dabholkar, daughter of the late rationalist Narendra Dabholkar who had first proposed the law, said the fact that seven cases were prevented itself showed its importance.

Rubbishing claims that the Act was against Hindus, Ms. Dabholkar said around 20 cases had also been registered against occultists from the Muslim community. Mr. Chandgude pointed out that most of these murders were committed after tantriks claimed that the sacrifice would bring hidden treasure. “Poverty and lack of education are certainly the reasons behind these crimes. There is a need to propagate scientific temper,” he said.