Mobilenews24x7 Bureau
Claims apart but the reality on the ground is really different. Traditions are ok but the overwhelming pressure of bigotry lead many people to suffer. Be it in the name of witch-hunt or the cruel imposition of pain on the pain is growing.
Let’s imagine a case where one loses his or her son or daughter but the ordeals of that follows in a way never thought of.
In a village in Keonjhar, a mother is robbed of her rights to live for the reason that, she was not able to arrange a so- called feast after the death of her son. The feast is subjected to the rituals for which she had to give a goat and drinks (brewed from rice).
When she failed to do that, she was ostracised by her community and forced to live in complete isolation in the outer end of the village even without a proper roof on her head.
The lady in question is Jana Hembram, who lost her husband about three years back and was somehow managing to live with her son.
It may be mentioned here that, the administration gave her some financial assistance but that is so paltry even to meet the demand of the villagers for a feast and other things.
It is not the question of giving a feast but it is about the cruel practice which cannot be loaded on the shoulders of a mentally and financially burdened woman who has not recovered from the trauma of the untimely death of her son. The son had died being burnt by a bonfire few days back.
Imagine the pain and humiliation that one is subjected to in the worst of her times. The district administration should rather try to abolish such traditions with a strong handle.
