Organizations are planning campaigns to inculcate scientific temper in the society in the wake of Elanthur incident
Organizations are planning campaigns to inculcate scientific temper in the society in the wake of Elanthur incident
Vasanthi has reportedly practiced black magic and sorcery in the city of Malaylapuzha for several years. Although there have been weak voices of protest over her black magic practices, especially children, her business did not face any challenge until this week when a child fainted during sorcery at her ashram. A video clip surfaced. The clip based on voices against superstitious practices on social media went viral after an alleged human sacrifice in Elanthur, sparking local protests, and the arrest of a 41-year-old woman.
On Saturday, another magician, Balan, was arrested in Kony after complaining that he had cheated several women out of their money by promising them relief for their ailments. A group of neighboring Kudumbashree activists played a key role in arresting him. On Sunday, police investigated a private property in Thankamani in Idukki following complaints of ritualistic animal sacrifices, but they are yet to register a case. They anticipate a flurry of complaints, at least because of some personal animosity. Therefore, the police will proceed with caution and charge only in cases of financial abuse or physical torture.
The Elanthoor incident seems to have raised vigilance among the public about the practices of black magic in their neighbourhood. Local units of political parties and youth organizations have started protests in some suspicious areas. Several organisations, including rationalist groups, are set to launch grassroots awareness campaigns to promote scientific temper to protect society from the fallout of fraudsters, who chastise cheap trinkets as expensive talismans for such a class of people. which are easily influenced and exploitable.
The Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), a mass science movement active in Kerala for almost 60 years, has already launched protests and awareness campaigns at the grassroots level.
“We had earlier decided to launch a massive campaign, with scientific temper as one of the prime objectives. Awareness sessions will be organized in schools and for the general public. On October 20, we will organize a protest in front of them. Secretariat to pass the Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2019 pending for years. KSSP will also organize a padyatra from one end of the state to the other, beginning with Republic Day next year And on February 28, National Science Day will conclude,” KSSP president B.K. says Ramesh.
The chatter in social media has also been directed at media outlets that provide wide slots daily for advertisements for magical trinkets including talismans, rings, stones and conch shells. Customers of such magical solutions are inevitably looking for a way out of a financial or personal crisis. Some run astrology columns. The latest round of talks on the need to teach scientific temper at all levels in society is reminiscent of the movements that took place in the state in 2008 after the arrest of self-styled godman Santosh Madhavan, accused of cheating and rape. After his arrest, some other self-styled spiritual masters and so-called prophets came under scrutiny.