From Witch-Hunt Victim to Advocate: Savitri Munda's Fight Against Persecution
Once ostracized as a 'dain' or witch in her village of Kochbong in Namkom, Savitri Munda has transformed her harrowing experience into a powerful mission to protect other women facing similar persecution. Now in her early 40s, Savitri has successfully prevented over 20 women in the districts of Ranchi, Khunti, and Gumla from being branded as witches, emerging as a vocal advocate against this deep-rooted social evil.
A Decade of Accusations and Trauma
Nearly a decade ago, Savitri was branded a witch after two of her husband's cousins died in separate road accidents. Following these tragic incidents, villagers began accusing her entire family of practicing witchcraft. A local 'witch doctor' allegedly demanded Rs 70,000 to "free" her from the supposed evil spirit. When she refused to pay, the accusations intensified, and she was officially declared a witch, leading to severe harassment that deeply affected her family.
Recalling the ordeal, Savitri shared, "My husband suffered such severe mental trauma that he had to be admitted to Rinpas (Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry & Allied Sciences) for treatment." She owns around 13 acres of land in the village and believes property disputes were the real motive behind the allegations. "My distant relatives want to grab my land. I later found out they had already finalized a deal with land mafias and were trying to drive me out so they could sell it," she alleged.
Turning Point with ASHA Intervention
Her situation began to improve after the intervention of the Association for Social and Human Awareness (ASHA), a social organization dedicated to combating witch-hunting and gender-based violence. With their support, the harassment gradually reduced, and Savitri was able to rebuild her life. Today, she runs a successful pig farming business to support her family, demonstrating resilience and economic independence.
Advocacy and Awareness Efforts
Savitri has now emerged as a vocal advocate against witch-hunting, working closely with ASHA and local authorities to intervene in cases where women are branded as witches. She offers them protection and support, participating in village panchayat meetings across the state whenever such cases surface. Additionally, she speaks at workshops and seminars nationwide to raise awareness about the harsh realities of witch-hunting, which often targets vulnerable women for personal or property-related gains.
"I have made it my life's mission to help women who are suffering the way I did. Witch-hunting is an evil practice, often used to target vulnerable women. I will not allow others to face the same fate," she declared passionately.
