Context:

On February 17, 2026, in Kalaiya village, West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, a 32-year-old woman and her two-month-old baby were allegedly set on fire by a mob after being accused of practicing witchcraft. The police have arrested four individuals in connection with the case.

Background of Witch-Hunting

Witch-hunting remains prevalent in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Assam. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 2,500 women have been killed since 2000 on charges of practicing witchcraft.

Despite legal prohibitions such as the Jharkhand Witchcraft Prevention Act and similar laws in other states, convictions in witch-hunting cases remain rare. This is due to underreporting, administrative apathy, fear of retaliation, and community complicity.

Underlying Causes

Several socio-cultural factors contribute to the persistence of witch-hunting:

• Gender and patriarchy: Women, especially widowed, elderly, or socially independent women are disproportionately targeted.
• Caste and marginalization: Women from lower castes or tribal communities face heightened vulnerability.
• Superstition and illiteracy: Misfortunes such as illness, death, or crop failure are often attributed to black magic.
• Property disputes and personal rivalries: Accusations are sometimes used as tools to seize land or settle personal enmities.

Accused women frequently face physical assault, social ostracism, psychological trauma, and, in extreme cases, murder. Such violence is often sanctioned or ignored by local communities, reflecting deep-seated patriarchal and caste-based hierarchies.

Challenges in Redressal

• Underreporting: Fear, stigma, and lack of trust in authorities discourage victims and families from reporting incidents.
• Administrative apathy: Local law enforcement agencies may lack adequate training or sensitivity to effectively address such crimes.
• Cultural legitimacy of superstition: Traditional healers, often referred to as ojhas or self-styled spiritual practitioners, may reinforce harmful beliefs that legitimize accusations.

Human Rights and Constitutional Dimensions

Witch-hunting is not merely a social evil but a grave violation of fundamental rights:

• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty
• Article 14: Equality before the law
• Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds including sex

These acts also contravene the constitutional duty under Article 51A(h), which calls upon citizens to develop scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry and reform.

Need for Comprehensive Solutions

Addressing witchcraft accusations requires a multi-pronged approach:

1.     Legal enforcement: Strict implementation of anti-witch-hunting laws, fast-track trials, and accountability for perpetrators.

2.     Education and awareness: Community sensitization programs to dispel myths surrounding witchcraft and promote scientific temper.

3.     Healthcare access: Strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure to reduce superstition linked to unexplained illnesses.

4.     Social protection: Rehabilitation, counseling, and protection mechanisms for accused women and their families.

5.     Intersectional policies: Recognizing the interplay of gender, caste, and economic vulnerability in policy formulation.

6.     Capacity building: Sensitizing police and judicial authorities to respond proactively and effectively.

Conclusion

The West Singhbhum witchcraft lynching underscores a grim reality: deep-seated superstition continues to fuel brutal violence in contemporary rural India. Beyond criminal investigation, long-term solutions require sustained social reform, legal vigilance, inclusive development, and community education to dismantle the structural roots of such practices and protect vulnerable populations.