Bahia Public Ministry investigates Pablo Marçal for religious racism

The Public Ministry of the State of Bahia (MP-BA) has opened an administrative procedure to investigate influencer and pre-candidate Pablo Marçal for religious racism. The investigation follows widely circulated social media interviews in which Marçal allegedly made derogatory remarks regarding African-matrix religions, such as Candomblé and Umbanda.

Marçal reportedly stated, “if macumba worked, Bahia would be Dubai,” and claimed that “every macumbeiro is a loser in life,” while describing practitioners as “envious” people who do not prosper. The Prosecutor's Office noted that these statements generalize negative characteristics to practitioners of these faiths.

The investigation aims to determine if the conduct constitutes religious racism under the Brazilian Racism Law, which carries increased penalties when committed through social communication. Additionally, the MP-BA is investigating potential regional discrimination, as the remarks linked the socioeconomic status of Bahia to the practice of these religions.