India: Woman and Her One-Year-Old Child Burned Alive Over Witchcraft Accusations

New Delhi — In yet another horrifying instance of superstition-fueled violence in India, a mob of enraged individuals burned a woman and her one-year-old infant alive after accusing her of practicing witchcraft. The shocking incident has sent shockwaves across the country and drawn widespread condemnation.
According to police, the woman’s husband also sustained severe burn injuries during the attack and has been admitted to a hospital where his condition remains critical. Authorities moved swiftly, arresting four suspects in connection with the brutal crime, while a search operation is underway to apprehend the remaining perpetrators.
The incident is a grim reminder of the deeply entrenched superstitions that continue to claim innocent lives across rural India. Witch-hunting related violence has been a persistent and troubling issue in several Indian states, with women and marginalized communities disproportionately targeted by such mob brutality.
Human rights organizations have strongly condemned the attack, demanding immediate justice for the victims and calling on the Indian government to enforce stricter laws against witch-hunting and superstition-based violence. Several Indian states have enacted specific legislation against witch-hunting, though implementation remains weak in many regions.
Legal experts have urged authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that this case sets a strong precedent against such barbaric acts.