Inhumanity, Barbarism!!! The brutal murder of a Hindu woman in the Sinjhoro District of Sindh

Rabia Mustafa

The last days of 2022 observed a very brutal incident that marked the extreme nature of human rights violations. On 27th December 2022, In Sindh’s Sinjhoro area, a case of the gruesome murder of a 42-year-old Hindu woman has come to light. Diya Bheel, a Hindu woman from the Bheel community, was initially reported to be the victim of gang-raped, beheaded, and had her breasts chopped off by unknown assailants. The criminals also de-skinned the victim’s head before discarding her body in a wheat field. The murderers cut away the skin and flesh of the separated head, revealing the skull. They also exposed the woman’s ribs by removing her breasts and a significant amount of skin from her chest. The Sanghar police registered the FIR of the murder nominating unknown murderers under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Pakistan Penal Code. The victim of this brutal crime was a widow and the mother of five children!

The PPP government took the notice of the incident. The federal minister Shazia Atta Mari contacted the Bheel family through phone and assured the support of the government to bring the murderers to the book. Senator PPP, Krishna Kumari, from Tharparkar Sindh visited the victim’s family. The DIG Nawabshah Range Muhammad Younus Chandio also visited Diya Bheel’s family, offered condolence, and assured the justice.

Though this case is hell painful, however, people on social media seem to take up this matter according to their own point of views or where they can fit their shoes. Some consider it another incident against Hindus, some made it a political war, a certain section of the society thinks that it is the crime against female gender, and some made it a religious war.

For example, an Indian site saw this as an ‘incident’ against Hindus. The staff’s report starts with this line:

‘Amidst the persistent atrocities against Hindus in Pakistan…’

And ends with:

‘Hindus, a minority in the Islamic country of Pakistan, are frequently targeted with hatred, kidnappings, rapes, forced marriages, and death’.

A Pakistan-based journalist, after condemning the brutal murder, stated,

‘Hindus never matter to state.’

The official page of ‘Aurat Azadi March Islamabad’ took it to another level. After condemning the horrific incident, it tweeted as:

‘…patriarchy is killing us’.

PPP Minister took it to another level. After three days of this brutal murder, the PPP minister visited the place to show sympathy where he gave some money to the daughter of Diya Bheel and had a photo shoot. The picture went viral and people backlashed the government of PPP.

Everyone seems to be right. Every point matters.

However, ultimately it turned out to be the incident of Black Magic. Or in other words, the incident of IGNORANCE, JAHALAT, & INHUMANITY.

On 7th January 2022, Sindh Police arrested four accused including Roopo Bheel and the brother of Diya Bheel in her brutal murder in Sanghar & recovered almost all the evidences after scientific investigations. Roopo Bheel practiced ancient Hindu Black Magic meant to unleash fear and control people. Also, Roopo Bheel told the police that he had personal enmity with Diya Bheel and planned to kill her. The murder was abetted by her own brother Diya Ram. They have also given confessional statements, according to the police.

Society is faced with ignorant malpractices such as magic, sorcery and black magic being practiced openly by individuals and associations, who in the guise of counseling and spiritual healing, are bent upon destroying the social and family fabric. The incidents of hate, deceit, injury, breaking of relationship, and even threats to the life and property of innocent citizens exposed to such quack healers has made hundreds of lives miserable.

Black magic, often known as sorcery, is said to be inevitable because it has been for as long as the planet itself. Black magic was formerly a commonly employed strategy by individuals to deal with their misfortune and solve their serious problems. Since many years ago, witchcraft activities have been widespread throughout the world. The general populace firmly rejects anyone who engages in magical acts since the practices are deemed to be evil. There is widespread and unavoidable belief in evil spirits, black magic, divination, enchantment, and apparitions across the Muslim world. Numerous societies with written histories ascribe tragedy, witchcraft, and evil events to the masses. Black magic has long been associated with treachery across the world.

Numerous studies in Pakistan and across the world find about the heinous practices of black magic and its dark, social, emotional, and economic impact on society The findings of a study suggest that this social intrigue is employed on account of revenge-seeking attitude, weak belief in religion, lack of education and knowledge as well as the growing irresponsible attitude of media.

However, on the national level, a bill was presented for the prohibition of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery in August 2021. The insertion of a new Section 297-A in the PPC and amendment in the Schedule II of the CrPC was suggested. The proposed Section 297-A (prohibition of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery) stated, “Whoever practices, advertises or provides services for magic, sorcery, witchcraft, or such acts in the disguise of spiritual healing or counseling shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, but shall not be less than six months, and with fine which may extend up to one million”. However, the bill for the prohibition of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery couldn’t cast a spell over the National Assembly as the Standing Committee on Interior recommended that the bill seeking insertion of a new section in this regard may not be passed by the assembly.

To describe the cruelty of this incident, the words ‘Atrocity, Inhumanity, Monstrosity, Barbarism’ seem insignificant. What should be the outcome of this case? JUSTICE, ONLY JUSTICE, the relief for the deceased’s family, and the end of such malicious and inhuman practices in the future.

The writer is the Senior Research Fellow at the School for Law and Development


Daya Bheel in a family photo, image via Aaj English TV

 

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