Eerie rituals, scary mob lynching thrive in Telangana

TRYST WITH SUPERNATURAL

Hyderabad: Even as the whole country is discussing net neutrality and IT Minister K T Rama Rao launching Wi-Fi facility around the picturesque Hussainsagar lake in the heart of the city, illiterate and ill-bred people in the neighbouring districts of Hyderabad are practising sorcery and witchcraft at free will, much to the shock and dismay of the civilised society.

The very sight of a lemon, some turmeric and a bunch of flowers is enough for the people who live on the fringes of a megalopolis of international repute to doubt foul play and brutally attack and kill people accusing them of sorcery. They pluck the teeth of the sorcerer, cut his tongue, thrash him black and blue and finally burn him alive.

According to reports, five persons, including two women, were brutally murdered in Telangana districts alone in 2015, in the name of ‘banamati’ or witchcraft and sorcery. Only a couple of weeks ago, precisely on April 15, Savithramma, a mentally retarded woman, was mercilessly attacked by a mob of around 30 in Rudraram village of Varni mandal in Nizamabad district. The woman who lost her way while returning to her native village which she left 15 years ago after she lost her first and second husbands, was suspected to be an agent of witchcraft.

She was attacked ruthlessly by village ruffians even as the police and 108 staff stood mute witnesses to the cruelty. After three days of misery and an unsuccessful battle for life, Savithramma breathed her last in Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad. Ironically, not even a single government officer, public representative or political leader turned up to visit the hapless woman.

Earlier in March 25, a man, namely Rodda Ramaswami in Muthireddipalli of Tupran mandal in Medak district was killed in a mob attack for allegedly practising sorcery. His teeth were plucked, tongue cut and was beaten badly. He died on the spot.Similar were the cases of Talari Mogilamma of Velchal village in Mominpet mandal in Ranga Reddy district (March 24), Pilli Vittal of Podsanpalli village in Pampannapet mandal in Medak district (Jan 8) and Ramulu of Rajapur village in Kodem mandal in Mahabubunagar district (Jan 4).

Politicians, police and public representatives are unwilling to admit the truth. They write off these brutal killings in the name of ‘banamati’ as murder due to personal rivalry and property dispute. The evil practice of witchcraft is predominantly prevalent in the poor and lower sections of the society, especially Dalits and tribals. Experts say that this age-old practice is solely due to the ignorance of people.

It may be recalled that the Free Legal Aid Committee (FLAC) sought to enact a national law to help contain the menace largely affecting poor and innocent tribals in the recent past. FLAC chairman Prem Chand said, “A national act to deal with witchcraft incidents is urgently needed as over ten crores of populace in more than 15 States of the country including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Maharashtra are affected by the menace.”

Responding to the increasing incidents of ‘banamati’ and related events, Medak Superintendent of Police B Sumati said, “We don’t keep quiet if attacks and murders take place in the name of ‘banamati’ and ‘chetabadi’. We will take strict action against those who involve in violence in the name of sorcery. If people have any complaint of sorcery or black magic, they can approach the police. They can’t take law into their hands.”

According to T Ramesh, Telangana State general secretary of Jana Vignana Vedika, the evil practice is a result of illiteracy among poor people in the villages. “There is an urgent need to create awareness among poor villagers about ‘banamati’. It is sad to see that people even in the modern age believe in such things. Surprisingly, politicos and pubic representatives are keeping mum about the whole thing. They are not ready to admit such practices are prevalent.”

Renowned psychiatrist Prof Shashikala Menon said, “Getting possessed, claiming of magical powers and seeing things non-existent are all psychological disorders. They need medical treatment. Also people in the rural areas should be educated about the ill-effects of superstitions. There should also strict laws to deal with such practices.”However, according to experts, the fear of witchcraft and sorcery is deeply rooted in the psyche of common people in Telangana and surrounding districts of Karnataka.

By Payam Sudhakaran