In many backward parts of India, there is a wide belief about witches and witchcraft. Going along with this thought many cases have come to the limelight and many women have been killed when the tag of “Witch” has been attached to them. The reasons known to those who are strongly in favour of it to attach such a strong label.  

Why is it that women get this name of being a witch? Women have always been an easy target and that too when they belong to the backward section of the society and are economically weak. Also lack of education pushes them back to fight against it.  

Looking closely at this we can find the enemies as - Superstition, Illiteracy and Economic Insecurity. In all this the woman is always at the receiving end.  

There are many instances of women being put to brutal tests for practising witchcraft. There has been no age bar for branding a woman as witch and practising witch craft. Women and children accused of being witches are spreading not only in India but in many more countries across the globe destroying the lives of many.   

Killing and violence against alleged witch women are becoming common events. Many stories crop up to brand these women as witch women. Small instances like a death in a family or even the death of cattle can put the blame on the women and she is called a witch (Dayan). When a woman loses her husband, she knows her loss, but there are others who come out in the open to say she is a witch and eaten up her man. She becomes a victim of torture for a happening in her life because of her destiny. Many more different types of cases still prevail in our society about the practice of witchcraft that causes pain and suffering to the woman victim.  

There have been many instances of torturing woman witches and even taking away their life in India which puts us to shame. These girls and women are hunted by those so called saviours of our society who award the punishments. These women are made to parade naked before the locals, hunted for their lives, shunned from living a social life and even have to pay up with their lives. Why have they to pay such a heavy price which is only a false belief of the society?  

Ways have to be found to wipe out this social stigma from our society. The Literacy campaign has to be strong and worked out successfully. Our villages are a treasure trove of handicrafts and art. Women can work in these areas and earn a living which will give them economic support to fight for their cause. Superstitious beliefs are man-made. They should learn to live with the truth and not on false beliefs. This will create a healthy atmosphere and let them live a normal life without fear.  

For all this it is the support they need from the government and the people who can afford to help them out not only financially but to be with them and make their life safe and happy.  

It is not an easy agenda to handle but a concerted effort can make the lives of many women better in this “Growing India”. Let us try to do away with this horrendous practice that still thrives in India.