Indian Woman Tied, Beaten for Witchcraft
Saturday March 29, 2008
In an absolutely awful story out of the eastern state of Bihar, India, a woman was tied to a tree and beatenby a mob after being accused of practicing witchcraft. The incident was captured on film by a reporter, who then called the police. Officials arrived and found the woman still tied to the tree. Part of her hair had been cut off in the attack.
Six people were arrested, including Ram Ayodhya, who says he had paid the woman for her services as a witch. He says he hired her to pray and offer healing to his ailing wife. When his wife took a turn for the worse, he accused the woman of practicing black magic. It is believed that the victim will testify in court.
You know, this is horrible on so many levels. First, that a reporter would stand there and film it in the first place, and then call the police later on, which just makes me ill. Second, that this seems to happen fairly regularly. A Washington Post report back in 2005 mentions that it's not uncommon for a woman in a tribal area to be accused of witchcraft just so someone can grab her land or property, or take revenge for spurned sexual advances. Sociologists say that these accusations are used as justification for perpretrating violent acts against women. Bihar is one of two Indian states that have outlawed witch-hunting, but that apparently didn't stop last week's mob violence.
Six people were arrested, including Ram Ayodhya, who says he had paid the woman for her services as a witch. He says he hired her to pray and offer healing to his ailing wife. When his wife took a turn for the worse, he accused the woman of practicing black magic. It is believed that the victim will testify in court.
You know, this is horrible on so many levels. First, that a reporter would stand there and film it in the first place, and then call the police later on, which just makes me ill. Second, that this seems to happen fairly regularly. A Washington Post report back in 2005 mentions that it's not uncommon for a woman in a tribal area to be accused of witchcraft just so someone can grab her land or property, or take revenge for spurned sexual advances. Sociologists say that these accusations are used as justification for perpretrating violent acts against women. Bihar is one of two Indian states that have outlawed witch-hunting, but that apparently didn't stop last week's mob violence.
This is so terrible. I tend to want to give the reporter who filmed it a break, though. If he had just gone directly to the police, they could have dismissed it with “no proof”. In fact, I would dare to say the only reason this managed to get national attention is due to it is on film and the fact that he is a reporter.
This all sounds too familiar, can anyone say Salem? It’s a shame that when things don’t go well, someone feels the need – out of grief – to do something like this. All I can say to the sociologists is -duh!
That is so awful! I don’t know if I could bare taping someone getting tortured. In the one hand it was good that he had proof but again I think I would have hurried and brought them over during the time it happens. I’m just glad justice will be served. Either way, its not being ignored.
These times are very strange. We have people willing to die for their beliefs and murder. We have people mocking what they don’t understand. There is so much information available but no one has the time to know everything. My wish is that we can all learn to respect each other’s belief systems and cultures and live and let live. The path is different for each of us and we will never be the same. We are a giant melting pot and we should be intrigued by our differences and unprejudiced.
We should all pray for humans to become united and peaceful and love one and other in these bad times.
Blessed be.
If he was one person against a mob he at least did the one thing he could with out endangering himself and/or getting them both killed. Now the proof is out there for all to see.
How aweful for this poor woman. My heart goes out to her.
Most police men in India seriously would have just shrugged it off saying the reporter had no proof.
what’s wrong with this world we live in? i went to college and religion was one of my major courses…most every religon that i studied has pretty much the same #1 cardinal rule, if it harm none do what ye will….do unto others as you would want done unto you. when we break it down we are simply one…man. my youngest child said it best,”i can give everyone i meet a piece of paper and pencil and ask them to draw their “Great Spirit”(God,Goddess…your higher power)”,and everyone will hand me back a diffrent picture. no two will be the same. this is because Spirit comes to us all diffrently…we are all beautifuly unique. i pray that one day we will all open ours eyes and relize this. my heart goes out to the victim of this Godless act…may your “Great Spirit” comfort you in this time. do not let this break your spirit. in regards to the journalist who filmed the attack…it’s ok. you did what you were suppose to do. sometimes we must take action, other times we must simply bear wittness. thank you for having the courage to call the police and to hand over the tape. finally to the attackers only one word for you…KARMA!