The Bombay High Court ruled that using the name of God to sell any article claiming that it had supernatural powers is illegal. The court added that it falls under the Maharashtra prevention and eradication of Human sacrifice and other inhuman, evil, and Aghori practices and black magic act.
The petition was filed by Ambhore seeking direction to prevent advertisements on television that promote articles such as the Hanuman Chalisa Yantra. This petition was being heard by a bench comprising of Justices T.V Nalawade and Justice Sevlikar.
Mr. Ambhore said in his petition in March 2015 that, he came across television ads which claimed that this Yantra was made by Baba Mangalnath who had attained Siddhi and was blessed by Lord Hanuman. Thus, this yantra which costs Rs 4900 is said to have special, miraculous supernatural powers. He added that according to the advertisement the yantra was made of 24 Carat Gold and celebrities were seen talking about this yantra.
It was also contended that this was done with false propaganda of exploiting people who are superstitious in the name of God.
The plea said that the advertisement falsely propagated that if the yantra was bought the home it was like bringing Lord Hanuman home and the one who uses it would feel lord Hanuman is always with him and would protect him.
Celebrities like Anup Jalota, Anuradha Paudwal, and Manoj Kumar were seen sharing their experiences on using the Yantra.
The court observed that the objectives of the black magic act, can only be achieved through education, and reformists like Mahatma Phule and Mr. Ambedkar who sought to end these evils were born on this soil.
The court further added that the propagation of articles by calling it a yantra or attaching the name of God, like Hanuman or any baba, and claiming that it has miraculous supernatural powers to solve personal problems, make progress in education, cure disease, etc. is illegal. It falls under Maharashtra prevention and eradication of Human sacrifice and other inhuman, evil, and Aghori practices and black magic act.
The court also directed the state vigilance officers to report any such people who make such advertisements and propagate such articles to the public. It further directed the state government to make cells in Mumbai to ensure no such advertisements are telecasted in the name of programs in Maharashtra.
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