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Saturday, February 21, 2026
TopicWitchcraft

Topic: Witchcraft

Odisha law panel plans to tighten witch-hunting law. What 2013 Act says & how courts view ‘witchcraft’

With 'witchcraft'-related killings still rampant in Odisha, state law commission has proposed making the law more stringent and focused on the rehabilitation of victims.

Witch on a broomstick—how the medieval invention came about and survived over the years

Although witch-hunting ended – at least in Europe and North America – in the 18th century, the image of witches flying on brooms endures.

State anti-superstition laws not enough. India needs a central law, focus on victim not crime

Cases of witch-hunting and human-sacrifices are part of systems of oppression that have been culturally and religiously legitimised for centuries.

Witch-hunting still active, says HC as it denies bail to men who ‘killed’ woman with trident

Justice S.K. Panigrahi pointed out the lack of a central law to deal with witch-hunting. IPC provisions applicable for the crime aren't as effective in deterring criminals, the court said.

Bihar women accused of witchcraft, forced to drink urine, eat excreta as village watched

Three women of a Muzaffarpur village were out to perform puja when they were caught & tortured by a mob of around 500. Nine arrests have been made in the case.

Millions of Indians can’t get enough of ‘chudails’ on YouTube

Animated videos for children featuring bloodthirsty 'chudail' or witches are raking in millions of views — mostly from men.

Lessons from witchcraft-related violence in Europe can help stop murder of thousands

State-sanctioned witchcraft trials died out in Europe by 18th century, but the belief and associated violence lasted much longer.

On Camera

Why legal provisions are necessary to curb the power of trade unions: MH Mody

The collusion between the new class of bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and trade union bosses perpetuates itself partly because of the short-run benefits and partly because they see no way out of the system, wrote author MH Mody in 1980.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Embraer moves full throttle in pursuit of IAF contract, ties up with Hindalco after Adani

IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.