KAMRAN KHAMISO KHOWAJA
HYDERABAD – Exorcism has emerged as a curse for the people of Sindh, claiming precious lives in the remote areas of the province. A recent incident involving a pregnant lady from Badin district of Sindh has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the dispensation of human rights in Pakistan.
Sangeeta, a 30-year-old lady belonging to the marginalized Kohli community, fell prey to a brutal ritual of exorcism. Her in-laws, driven by false beliefs about evil forces, demons, and witches, took her to an exorcist who applied brutal methods to rid her of the supposed evil forces.
The exorcist’s tactics, which included beating Sangeeta with sticks, eventually led to her death. What’s more frightening is that the exorcist continued to beat her even after she had breathed her last.
This incident has not only attracted the attention of the common masses but also grabbed the attention of international media. It has raised grave concerns about the state of human rights in Pakistan, particularly in the remote areas of Sindh.
Exorcism is among the major causes of precious human lives lost in Sindh, alongside domestic violence, honor killing, and tribal feuds. Over the past two decades, this practice has spread from rural areas to urban centers.
A look back at history reveals that exorcism has been claiming lives in Sindh for years. One notable case that jolted national media around 20 years ago involved Kaneez Fatima, a 60-year-old lady, and her young son, who died at the hands of an exorcist.
More recently, a 16-year-old lost his life after being beaten up by an exorcist in Sukkur. Another victim, Daya Bheel of Sanghar district, met the same fate last year.
Inspector Muneer Abbasi, who has dealt with cases of exorcism, says that exorcists often claim that victims approach them for help. However, he notes that most exorcists show no remorse for their crimes.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Siraj ul Din Lashari has proposed the enactment of a special law to curtail the influence of exorcists, bogus faith healers, and their facilitators. He also suggests that punishment should be ordained for those who take people for exorcism.
Dr. Jamil Jonejo, a renowned psychiatrist, notes that victims of exorcism often suffer from psychological disorders. However, instead of seeking professional help, people resort to obsolete and harmful tactics that lead to loss of life or physical impairment.
Research conducted by Advocate Mahjabeen Zulfiqar Ali of MASAWI, a human rights organization, reveals that most victims of exorcism are women dissatisfied with their marital lives. She emphasizes the need for a concrete policy to deter this menace.
While the practice of visiting faith healers and exorcists is not unique to Pakistan, laws to prevent such practices are stricter in other countries, including Japan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, and Nepal.
Social welfare organizations and concerned citizens must take responsibility for educating society against this predicament. Ultimately, the state must take a hard stance against those promoting such gruesome practices.
