• Twinkle J Chadwa

Violence against women is rife and is an undimmed violation of human rights within the realm. Existence of gender based violence is a centuries old phenomena, one such form of violence is Witch Hunting. An evil customary practice which exists in the society that questions the individuality and devours the dignity of women accused of the same. It is disguised under the mask of superstition and is boosted by fear, this practice tend to spread throughout India like wildfire. This research paper aims to explore the female gender based discrimination faced in an opulent and multifarious society like India, where customs and traditions are an integral part of this nation but in the name of conventional practices people tend to forget it is not consuetude. An emerging social stigma here is the practice of Witch Hunting. This practice evolved from the European era and its deep roots to be commonly found among the socially and educationally backward tribes in India. It draws a thin line between superstition and religion. This makes it callous for elimination of the practice of witch hunting. Women are labelled as witches and in return the torture faced by them is in form of physical and mental violence. The fundamental concept of Human Rights is to ensure that every citizen has the right to lead a life with dignity. Thus, the universality of its application clearly states they are inalienable in nature. The Researcher is attempting to highlight upon the not so known fact about witch hunting prevailing in India and sensitize on an impeccable need for stringent laws to be placed in India.

Superstitious, Violence, Witchcraft, Witch-hunting, Women.

"Witch Hunting in India: Violence through Superstitious Beliefs. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 9, page no.125-131, September-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1809668.pdf

"Witch Hunting in India: Violence through Superstitious Beliefs. ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 9, page no. pp125-131, September-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1809668.pdf