In an effort to stop witchcraft and witch-hunting, the government of India plans to make witchcrafting illegal in the near future.
Much of witchcrafting practices take place in rural India, including in underdeveloped states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the murdering of women who are accused of being witches.
According to statistics, between 1987 and 1993, 2,556 women were branded as witches and were murdered as a result. Presumed witches, especially women, are displayed for fellow villagers and seen beaten naked.
On January 2 of this year, three masked men stormed into a village and killed a man and a woman on charges of witchcraft, leaving their children orphans.
Many people claim that a lack of jobs and pensions drive them to perform witch-crafting. Many widows also complain that their pensions were not given to them.
The Indian government hopes to start education campaigns as well as improve the living conditions of most villagers since financial instability is a breeding ground for the problem.
Advash Kaushal, chairman of Rural Litigation and Entitlement, Kendra says, “Lack of access to justice is the main problem. But there are many other barriers too, such as of distance [and] attitudes toward rural people.”
Comments
Suppressing witchcraft will not prevent or dissuade witch-hunts. Banning witchcraft will simply confirm stereotypical propaganda against witchcraft and will criminalize actual Witches. Witchcraft is a religion. Killing alleged witches is a crime. Why are Witches being condemned? Surely it is the witch-hunters who need to be suppressed, not Witches!
Will the Indian government suppress Islam if Hindus kill Muslims?
It is sad that fear is so controlling. I myself am a witch, and i know how many others hear the word and automatically think evil and hexes and animal sacrifices. That is not me at all, i follow the wiccan rede "an ye harm none, do what thou will", as do many. The article does not say what exactly these "witches" were accused of, but i find it sad that it is still okay to storm into homes and murder people of a different belief.
Hmmm--putting this into another perspective entirely. Here in America and also in the UK and a few other countries, Wicca, witchcraft and Paganism are some of the most rapidly growing religions or paths of spirituality. So, what effect does this have on the growth of the "Pagan tourist trade" or tourist trade in general to India? India is trying very hard to become a major world power. As a known witch, am I now unsafe in India? This type of bigotry and ignorance can only be cured by a better understanding of what witchcraft is, both in India by those of us unfamiliar with their practices and by those in the goernment in India who are unfamiliar with the practices of neo-Pagans and Wiccans from outside India. The word "witch" has had so many negative connotations which are based on mistranslations and misunderstanding that have been propogated over the years for the benefit of various groups who are at that moment profiting from the prosecution of the so-called "witches."
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!