Deciphering Witch-Hunting- A Social Menace In The Context Of Assam, Ner India

Abstract

Witch-hunting practice has been traditionally a part of belief in rural India. Like other parts of India, Assam also witnesses this atrocious practice at an alarming stage. 210 cases of witch-hunting have been occurred in Assam during the period 1989-2019, which is a severe quandary to the advancing society. Killings in the name of witch-hunting also violates human rights as well as women rights as majority of the victim branded as ‘witch’ are women. This paper tries to highlight witch hunting practice, witch-trials and witch-hunting phenomena globally, nationally and primarily in the context of Assam. It also elaborates the legal safety afforded by the state of Assam in general. This paper accomplishes with an assessment of the efficacy of the legal instruments implemented for protection of ‘witch-hunting’. The paper attempts to identify the causes responsible for witch-hunting with some practical solution to tackle this social menace.