Raipur. The chairman of the Superstition Eradication Committee visited villages with the committee members on the night of Hareli Amavasya, a symbol of greenery in the state, and interacted with the villagers. The committee visited Patharidih, Kanhera, Kandarka, Pirda, Bhalesar, Hardi, Urla villages from 11 pm to 3 am. During this time, they tried to remove the fear of witchcraft, ghosts and spirits from the minds of the villagers and made them aware to get out of this illusion.
Dr. Dinesh Mishra, the president of the Superstition Eradication Committee, said that the committee team also visited the river bank, pond, cremation ground of the village at night. At some places, the villagers admitted to believing in witchcraft and exorcism. But no one gave any information about any unbelievable miraculous incident. Dr. Dinesh Mishra, Dr. Shailesh Jadhav, Gyanchand Vishwakarma, Dr. Praveen Devangan, Priyanshu Pandey, who were part of the committee team, discussed with many villagers.
Superstition about Hareli in rural areas
Dr. Dinesh Mishra said that there are many different beliefs in rural areas regarding Hariyali Amavasya. At many places it is associated with witchcraft, while it is completely baseless. Witchcraft has no real existence and women are not witches. Many incidents have come to light against women due to superstition, such as those recently reported from Durg, Raigarh, Bastar and Surguja.
He told that earlier when there was no information about diseases and natural disasters, it was believed that diseases of humans and animals are caused by black magic. People fall sick due to evil eye and to protect them from these, the village and house should be protected with tantra-mantra. In such cases, many times women are accused of practicing black magic.
Dr. Mishra explained that during the rainy months, the chances of spreading seasonal diseases increase due to humidity and moisture. To prevent these diseases, cleanliness, use of clean water and avoiding contaminated food items are essential.
Appeal to villagers
Dr. Mishra appealed to the villagers not to propagate superstition in their villages and not to harass any woman on the charges of witchcraft. He said that the villagers have promised not to harass any woman in the name of Tonhhi and have resolved to stay away from such incidents.
He told that some villagers of the state said that it is believed that on the night of Hareli, Tonhi Barti (burning) is seen. But he also told that all this is hearsay. The committee did not find any eyewitness who has seen any such miraculous incident. But people remain terrified at night and are afraid to step out of the house. Villagers do discuss the existence of Tonhi or its activities, but are unable to tell whether anyone has actually seen it doing anything on the night of Hareli.
Dr. Mishra said that rumours and confusion spread on the basis of hearsay, in reality no such miracle has happened nor is it possible. Therefore, no villager should fall into the confusion and fear of so-called witchcraft or sorcery.
