An awareness workshop on the Rajasthan Witch-Hunting (Prevention) Act, 2015, was organized under the joint auspices of Bal  Va Mahila Chetna Samiti and Direct Action for Women Now. Police station staff, organization members, and victimized women participated in the workshop to gain knowledge about the law and discuss its various aspects.
Addressing the event, the organization’s President, Tara Ahluwalia, stated that persecuting women by branding them as witches is a serious social crime, against which the Rajasthan government has enacted stringent legal provisions. While outlining the key sections of the Act, she noted that superstition, regressive mindsets, and gender discrimination prevalent in society continue to make many women victims of violence and harassment.
Tara Ahluwalia mentioned that she had recently met with District Superintendent of Police Sagar Rana to apprise him of the incidents of witch-hunting and violence against women occurring in the district. The workshop also featured a detailed discussion on the effective implementation of the law and the practical challenges faced by the police in handling such cases.
Speaking on the occasion, Station House Officer (SHO) Bachhraj Chaudhary highlighted the Act’s main provisions, stating that branding a woman a witch—thereby subjecting her to humiliation, social boycott, or physical and mental harassment—is a punishable offense under the law. He urged the participants to immediately report such incidents to the police.
Deliberations during the workshop focused on women’s safety, access to justice, the eradication of superstition, and measures to enhance community awareness. Organization members Shyam Lal, Parmesh, Vishal, and Bhawana provided significant support in the successful organization of the event.

Awareness Workshop on the Rajasthan Witch-Hunting (Prevention) Act, 2015 Held at Kotri Police Station

An awareness workshop on the Rajasthan Witch-Hunting (Prevention) Act, 2015, was organized at the Kotri police station premises under the joint aegis of Bal Va Mahila Chetna Samiti and Direct Action for Women Now (DAWN). The objective of the program was to raise awareness regarding superstitious practices—such as violence against women, social ostracism, and witch-hunting—and to discuss the effective implementation of the law.

Police officials and personnel, organization members, women, and villagers participated in the workshop. During the event, important information was shared regarding the key provisions of the Rajasthan Witch-Hunting (Prevention) Act, 2015, the rights of victimized women, legal protections, and the procedures for filing complaints and seeking justice.

Tara Ahluwalia, the organization’s president, stated that persecuting women by branding them as witches is not merely a social evil but a grave violation of women’s dignity, safety, and human rights. She noted that many women continue to face mental, social, and physical violence due to superstition, gender inequality, and social prejudices. In this context, both knowledge of the law and community awareness are essential.

Kotri SHO Mahavir Meena stated in his address that the police administration is fully committed to the safety and dignity of women. He explained that the Rajasthan Witch-Hunting (Prevention) Act, 2015, is a crucial law designed to protect women from such inhumane practices. He emphasized that branding a woman as a witch, humiliating her, socially ostracizing her, or subjecting her to mental and physical harassment constitutes a serious crime, for which the law prescribes severe punishment. He urged the attendees to immediately inform the police if they encounter any such incident so that timely action can be ensured. During the workshop, participants shared their views on the social challenges associated with cases of witch-hunting, the rehabilitation of victimized women, the role of the community, and the effective implementation of the law. The discussion emphasized that society, the administration, and civil society organizations must work together to eradicate superstition and regressive mindsets.

The event facilitated a meaningful dialogue on topics such as women’s safety, access to justice, the eradication of superstition, community participation, and the creation of a sensitive society. Organization members Shyam Lal, Parmesh, Vishal, and Bhavna played a pivotal role in the successful organization of the event.