by Alphones DekaGuest Commentary
Witch hunts in India kill thousands of women yearly. Superstition, greed and patriarchy fuel violence despite laws and activism.
Witch Hunt: A Ruthless Venture
Brutality grounded in superstition, social customs and community myths. Witch hunts, an atrocious phenomenon, still prevail across the globe as well as in India. A defamed reality showcasing misogyny cripples women’s individuality. The Human Rights Committee reports the deaths of around 2,500 women every year in the name of witch killings. Instances of witch hunts have reached alarming levels in several Indian states, including Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. Among certain communities, the concept of Dayan-pratha (one who practices black magic/witchcraft) traces back to primitive and medieval ages. Following misfortune or disease, some women are tortured, blamed and beaten to death. Usually, the ohja (community doctor) identifies the dayan, also called chudail, either by writing women’s names on the branch of a sal tree—wherever the branch withers marks the accused—or by wrapping slips with names into a bag placed inside an ant nest. The bag consumed by ants is believed to reveal the witch’s name. These women are labeled a threat. They are assumed to have the “evil eye,” possess supernatural powers, and be destructive to society.Women as Targets
Witchcraft accusations strike at the heart of women’s status, with the practice largely considered a “feminine affair.” The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) documented 2,468 murders related to witchcraft between 2001 and 2016. While often cloaked in superstition, most cases stem from economic and psychosocial motives:- Disputes over land and property, often instigated by family members out of greed.
- Targeting widows, single women and the elderly.
- Manipulation by bhopas (community healers) for selfish gain.
- Retaliation after refusal of sexual advances.
Primitive and Modern Dimensions
Witchcraft practices, with roots centuries deep, are found in tribal communities in western Bengal districts and parts of Jharkhand. A village in northeast India, Mayang, is popularly known as the “land of black magic.” Witchcraft is even referenced in the Rig Veda and is studied in some global universities.Since the beginning of human societies, witchcraft beliefs have deeply impacted indigenous populations.
Paradoxically, witch hunts were also common in Europe during ancient and medieval times. By the mid-1950s, nearly 500 people had been executed as alleged witches. Informal “kangaroo courts” often carried out punishments through mob lynching. Elsewhere, witch-related violence persists in Tanzania, rural China, parts of Africa and South America. Despite modern science and development, superstition continues to justify violence, transmitted from generation to generation. Victims suffer profound injustice, sorrow and hopelessness.
Sociological and Anthropological Views
Since the beginning of human societies, witchcraft beliefs have deeply impacted indigenous populations. Anthropologists see witch killings as attempts to explain random illness, misfortune and economic hardship. Income shocks and losses often fuel accusations, supporting the “commercial theory.” Competition can lead to labeling and persecution. Sociologists connect witchcraft beliefs with anti-social behavior, punishing those who resist community norms. Denunciations frequently arise when patriarchal systems attempt to suppress matriarchal traditions.Legal Measures
Though India lacks a central law specifically addressing witch hunts, several states have enacted legislation:- Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 2013
- Assam Witch Hunting (Prevention, Prohibition and Protection) Bill, mandating jail terms or life imprisonment
- Chhattisgarh Tonahi Pratadna Nivaran Act, 2005
- Prevention of Witch Practices (DAAIN) Act, 2001
- Bihar Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 1999
- Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil Practices) Act, 2024
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights condemns witch hunts as a cruel practice rooted in gender inequality.
Judicial interventions, however, remain inconsistent. In Moyna Murmu v. State of West Bengal, the petitioner was forced from her village. In Tula Devi v. State of Jharkhand, lack of evidence freed the accused. In Gaurav Jain v. State of Bihar, the court directed three assemblies to pass anti-witch-hunting laws. A senior Guwahati High Court lawyer remarked: “People are illiterate and blinded in thought. Unless we make efforts to enlighten them about the laws and consequences of witch hunts, the practice will continue.”
Global Response
Globally, witch accusations represent severe human rights violations. The United Nations recognized the issue as a humanitarian crisis at its first conference on witch hunts. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that thousands of women are branded as witches and persecuted annually.Women unaware of their rights remain vulnerable.
The Australian National University recently hosted a three-day conference addressing witchcraft killings. Amnesty International, the Red Cross and other organizations have campaigned for justice. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights condemns witch hunts as a cruel practice rooted in gender inequality.
Role of Civil Society
Informal organizations have been crucial:- The Witchcraft and Human Rights Network educates communities about laws.
- Free Legal Aid in Jharkhand supports enforcement in villages and tribal areas.
- ANANDI, a Gujarat-based group, campaigns for outlawing witch hunting.
- Pudumi Rabha of Assam has rescued numerous women accused of witchcraft.
Education as Change Agent
Education is essential to reform public opinion. Illiteracy fuels mob violence, regressive thought and superstition, especially among tribal populations. Branding women as witches has often been used to justify abuse by religious leaders exploiting the uneducated.Empowerment and Awareness
Women unaware of their rights remain vulnerable. Legal awareness, uplifting marginalized groups, improving health services and using mass media campaigns can help dismantle witchcraft-related violence. Witch hunts are not just crimes—they are regressive acts to control women’s autonomy, undermining democracy itself. Specialized anti-witchcraft laws, though important, cannot fully solve problems rooted in irrationality and patriarchy. Grassroots measures—such as empathy, community regulation, police protection and financial support—are essential. As activist Pudumi Rabha urges: “Don’t be scared. Challenge the offenders and report to the police. The battle is not going to end anytime soon.”
