This is a follow-up on the story reported in the Himalayan Times and on GD's blog about Kalli Kumari B.K who was accused of witchcraft and brutality assualted. The story seems to have got the attention of law enforcement, but in Nepal, that isn't saying much.
Kalli’s date with hollow promises
Kathmandu Post
RENU KSHETRY
Three days later, she was rescued from the village of Phyutar in Lalitpur.That incident, she says, has changed her life, but does not know how. For the moment, she just wants to go back home from Maiti Nepal, where she has been sheltering since March 23 with her daughter Shanti B.K., 17.
Her husband, Chetman B.K. has been living with his relatives at Chapagaon. “I am extremely worried about him,” she said of her 50-plus husband, who is blind in the left eye. “He came here to meet us twice, but it's a long time since we heard from him. We hope he is all right and gets to eat two meals a day.” Not just that, she is concerned about the 25 chicken she left with her neighbours or the buffalo bought by mortgaging an old pair of ear-rings to the local lender.
Little over a month has passed since that fateful day. Kalli Kumari has listened to many influential figures, including 'a fat, old man' -- Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam -- and has been to the Legislature Parliament to brief them on what happened. She has heard bundles of assurances that those subjecting her to inhumane treatment would be brought to justice. So far, the words have sounded hollow.
But she has her mind set on the village-level all-party meeting slated for Wednesday, which is expected to ensure her a dignified return home. If every thing goes as planned, she gets to reunite with her family, but does not quite know how she is going to deal with the stigma of being labelled a witch.
“Is that going to go?” she asks. “My skin is black but my heart is not,” she chokes on her words. “Does being a poor, old Dalit with grey hair make me a witch?”
Most importantly, will her tormentors be punished, as she has been promised? She does not know. Member of National Women's Commission Dhan Kumari Sunar, however, assured the Post they would put the culprit behind bars and resettle Kalli and her family securely with respect and dignity.
1 comment:
Sad that being a "witch" is still considered a crime or a betrayal of "faith"- but we true Witches understand the humiliation and undue scutiny given to women all over the world, simply for being different, blessed or unique. This poor woman was subjected to torture and her family subjected to abject humiliation for what? It is not acceptable here in the US, and should not be acceptable anywhere, regardless of cutural and religious beliefs. For one human being to treat another human being being that way FOR ANY REASON is, in my opinion, the absolute disregard of religious teachings of all kinds- Christian, Wiccan, Buddhist, ect. I have been targeted by people who do not understand the true religion of Wicca- too many negative stereotypes and too much missinformation out there. But never in the way this poor woman and her family have been- and my attackers were dealt with by authorities. I fear that this woman will be simply forgotten and brushed off as a "crazy woman" or "evil witch" by her own government. It saddends me to see the word "Witch" so misused to justify inhuman acts. My thoughts are with her and her family- and may The Goddess Bless her and enrich her life as repayment for the ills she has suffered. Brightest Blessings to all...
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