Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has ruled that labelling someone a ‘Dahani’ (witch) should be a criminal offence, directing the state government to take stringent measures against witch-hunting practices.
The Commission’s landmark order comes after a 2018 case where a woman, Yasoda Singh, was brutally murdered on suspicion of witchcraft.
According to reports, rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo had brought the brutal murder of Yasoda Singh in March 2018 to the Commission’s notice. After hearing the petition, OHRC directed compensation to the victim’s family and reviewed the Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act-2013 and the 2014 Composite Action Plan. The commission emphasized strengthening measures against witch-hunting practices in the state.
The commission noted the absence of clear preventive measures in the law against forced eviction, social boycott, and inhumane treatment based on witchcraft allegations. In response, OHRC directed the state government to declare the term ‘Dahani’ (witch) a criminal offence, make the law gender-neutral, and incorporate provisions for prevention, rehabilitation, and restorative justice.
The Home and Women & Child Development departments were instructed to revise the Composite Action Plan, incorporating short-term and long-term strategies and holding accountable those responsible for negligence.
Moreover, the Commission has asked to involve self-help groups, anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, ANMs, local youth and women’s groups, NGOs, and folk art troupes to create awareness in local languages and dialects.
