*The Chhattisgarh Tonhi Pratadna Prevention Act, 2005 and Dr. Dinesh Mishra*

Senior ophthalmologist and social activist Dr. Dinesh Mishra played a pivotal role in conceptualizing and bringing into effect the Chhattisgarh Tonhi Torture Prevention Act, 2005.

Since 1995, he launched the "No Woman is a Witch (Tonhi)" campaign in the Chhattisgarh region. He continuously toured rural areas, met women who had been tortured and their families, and initiated public awareness drives and advocacy for a strong legal framework to fight this social evil.

*Dr. Mishra’s Key Efforts Toward Legislation:*

1.  *May 20, 2000*: Met Justice Gulab Gupta, Chairperson of the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission, and submitted a memorandum demanding legislation in undivided Madhya Pradesh.

2.  *July 9, 2001*: Submitted a memorandum to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Ajit Jogi demanding a law against Tonhi torture.

3.  *August 30, 2001*: Met Justice J.S. Verma, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, submitted a memorandum, and filed a complaint regarding a serious case of Tonhi torture.

4.  *December 10, 2001*: Met Justice K.M. Agarwal, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Human Rights Commission, and submitted a memorandum for enacting an anti-Tonhi torture law in the newly formed state of Chhattisgarh.

5.  *December 20, 2002*: Submitted another memorandum to Chief Minister Shri Ajit Jogi for enacting an anti-witchcraft torture law in the state.

6.  *December 31, 2003*: Met the then Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, discussed the proposed law, and submitted a memorandum.

7.  *January 28, 2004*: Met President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and submitted a memorandum for enacting a Witchcraft/Tonhi Torture Prevention Act.

8.  *September 24, 2004*: Delivered a lecture and participated in a discussion on the need for a Tonhi/Dayan Torture Prevention Act at a workshop organized by the Women and Child Development Department.

9.  *December 18, 2004*: Addressed a meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission, presenting suggestions for the law along with data on cases. A draft bill was also sent to the government.

10. *July 2005*: Personally met all MLAs of the state and submitted written memorandums, urging them to support the bill to be introduced in the Assembly.

*Enactment of the Act and Subsequent Work*  

On September 30, 2005, the Chhattisgarh Tonhi Torture Prevention Act, 2005 was passed by the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

After the Act was enacted, Dr. Mishra traveled from village to village to spread awareness about the law. He continued to meet rural communities through public meetings and field visits.

In recognition of his contribution to eliminating superstition and social evils through this landmark legislation, the Chhattisgarh government honored Dr. Dinesh Mishra with the state award "Pandit Ravishankar Shukla Samman". On November 7, 2006, during the State Foundation Day celebrations, the award was presented to him by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission also honored Dr. Mishra on its Foundation Day.