Chutni Mahato

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Chutni Mahato, also known as Chutni Devi (b. 1959), is a social worker from Jharkhand, India. Once a victim of witch-branding, she now works to help others who have been branded as witches and spreads awareness about superstitions and witchcraft.[1] In 2021, she was awarded the Padma Shri for her social work, India's fourth highest civilian award.[2]

Life[]

Mahato was born in Bholadih village, Seraikela-Kharsawan district in Jharkhand in 1959. Married off as a child, she was labelled a witch in 1995 after a family member fell ill. The villagers grabbed her property, ill-treated her including sexual abuse, forcing her to drink urine and being paraded semi-naked. She ran away, finding her way back to her parents house.[1] On approaching the police, they demanded a hefty sum to register the case.[3] An Indian Administrative Service officer connected her to social workers who were working in the area of prevention of witch hunting.[3] Following this, for over two decades, she has taken up the cause against superstitious practices and beliefs in Jharkhand.[4] Chutni has skilled her daughters to also fight against the practice.[5] In 1996 a documentary captured her life and social work.[3] In 2014, a Bollywood movie "Kala Sach– The Dark Truth" was inspired by her.[3]

In 2019, 27 women died following witch-related accusations in her state.[1] According to National Crime Records Bureau 372 people killed in India in related-incidents between 2016 and 2019.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Bisoee, Animesh (29 January 2021). "Branded 'Witch' Years Ago, Chutni Mahato from Jharkhand is Now a Padma Awardee". News18. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  2. ^ Ranjan, Mukesh (31 January 2021). "This Jharkhand woman leads war against social evil 'witchcraft', rescues over 120 women". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Sarkar, Debashish (26 January 2021). "Jharkhand woman gets Padma Shri for saving women branded as witches". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Committed to root out superstition and evil practices: Padma Shri Chutni Mahato". The Avenue Mail. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. ^ Bisoee, Animesh (28 January 2021). "Witch-hunt survivor to Padma Shri glory". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  6. ^ Shukla, Ashwini (3 February 2021). "Exorcising Evil: Chutni Mahato from Birbans in Jharkhand awarded the Padma Shri for her fight against witch-hunting". GaonConnection. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
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