The tragic death of a young woman from burns during a faith-healing ritual on Wednesday has brought into sharp focus the rapid re-emergence of superstitions, black magic and godmen in Kerala, known for its reformist legacy of the early 20th century.
“Kerala is fast-relapsing into the pre-navothhana (reformist era) superstitious stage,” says rationalist leader U. Kalanathan. “Political parties that pander to religions and communalism are boosting this. Even Left parties are aiding this by not challenging the trend,” he rues.
The death of Shameena, a 29-year-old, lower-middle-class woman in Kozhikode with a troubled marriage, is but a tip of the iceberg in the resurgence of superstitions in all religious communities. Both the victim and the faith-healer, Najma, are women and both belonged to the Muslim community, which was considered less influenced by black magic practitioners.
Spiritual exploitation
“This is a clear case of criminal exploitation in the name of spirituality,” Jabir Amani, State general secretary of ISM, the youth wing of the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, told The Hindu . “Islam has no place for black magic and godmen.” He said Jinn in Islamic belief is an invisible being, which in no way can do good or harm to humans. “Many fake healers are abusing the concept of Jinn to scare people and exploit them financially,” he said.
Recalling the recent incident in Kozhikode district of denial of mother’s milk to a newborn by a father under the influence of a godman, Mr. Amani said such incidents should be handled as criminal activities. He noted that his organisation had recently launched a campaign against superstitions. A focus of the campaign was to press the government to enact an anti-superstition law akin to the one pass in Maharashtra a few years ago.
Mr. Kalanathan said if the CPI(M) and other Left parties took a pro-active role, the resurgence of superstitions could be checked. “Unfortunately, the Left has ignored its social responsibility and is shutting its eyes for fear of losing its vote bank,” he complained.
He urged the Pinarayi government to immediately get an anti-superstition Bill passed in the Assembly. “This will empower the police to book godmen, faith healers and practitioners of black magic,” he said.
