Tonhi menace - A blot on humanity

The state of Chhattisgarh may be fast moving towards a better tomorrow but thee are still many practices that remind us. of medieval era. The Tonni (Witch) scourge is one such barbaric and inhuman practice which is very common in Chhattisgarh villages. It is in fact one of the most commonly prevailing superstition in the state. The way a woman is declared a Tonhi and subsequently subjected to some of the most inhuman tortures points to the fact that women's liberation is a distant dream as far as rural Chhattisgarh is concerned" These were the views expressed by President of Andha Shradha Nirmulan Samiti , Dr. Dinesh Mishra in an interview with " The Hitavada".

Dr. Mishra feels that only a total change in social perspective can help in solving this problem. ' Though we have entered the 21st century, we still carry the beliefs and practices of 18th century' said Dr. Mishra and added that it is imperative to develop villages and bring about an overall change in the thinking of the people. Only then can we think about progress' said Dr. Mishra who is of firm opinion that without an open mind, education is a farce.

Pointing at the dismal record of the state in this matter. Dr. Mishra said that in the last one year, Chhattisgarh has witnessed series of cases in which rural woman were subjected to extreme humiliation time and again. " As long as people do not have an open mind and treat fellow humans with compassion, real development and progress would remain a distant dream" said Dr. Mishra.

Blaming a woman for any natural or man-made calamities that befell a village shows the ignorance and superstition of the people, said Dr. Mishra and added 'It proves that people are still as uneducated and illiterates as they were hundreds of years ago' We have to fight against these beliefs and without the help of entire society, it is a daunting task, said the champion of women's emancipation.

According to Dr. Mishra the 'Tonhi menace is no longer restricted to a particular village or a caste, but is s social problem and hence, has to be addressed through collective efforts.

Expressing outrage over the condition of women, Dr. Mishra said, women are not only physically tortured to great extremes but are also publicly humiliated and ostracised from the society. Many women cannot get over the trauma for a long time and their social ostracism creates horde of problems for their future life, he said. Usually the perpetrators are either influential people of the village or are in majority due to which the remaining few can hardly protest against the atrocity, said Dr. Mishra. Due to this very few police complaints are registered by the victim or any other persons against the tortures. Many times the treatment meted out is so horrible that the victim is completely terrorised and loses all hope. The victims have no recourse but to end their lives in desperation, pointed Dr. Mishra

Dr. Mishra was also very critical of the role of the administration in addressing this issue. Even the administrative officers as well as the public representatives turn a blind eye to the problem, feels Dr. Mishra. Due to this 99% of the cases remain unsolved and the helpless victims fail to get justice.

Talking about the methodology of branding a woman. Dr. Mishra said, it is the Baigas who dictate the rules and brand the victims as Tonhi. These people are also one of the most feared and influential people of the village. "They first chose a certain woman, then accuse her of being a tonhi. Later they lay certain conditions before the woman to absolve her of the charge. But usually these conditions are impossible for her or any other woman to meet and the whole village then brands her a Tonhi. The influence of the Baigas rises from the ignorance and illiteracy of the villagers, said Dr. Mishra.

The villagers fail to see that these women are too weak to defend themselves and incapable to do any harm to the entire village. Dr. Mishra feels that it is necessary to provide education to the people to liberate them from such superstition and dogmatism, otherwise the overall development of the state would remain a distant dream. " To make it a reality, the entire state administration. Non Government Organisations, and societies of the state must work unitedly towards the goal " Said Dr. Mishra.

- By Surabhi Bhattacharya

Interview published on Thursday 3 January 2002 The Hitavada Raipur.