Lust Exorcist Ojha and Similar Practitioners in India: Notable Cases and Practices
Who Are Ojhas?
In India, an Ojha is a traditional exorcist, healer, or "witch doctor" found across various states. Ojhas claim to cure ailments, remove evil spirits, or solve personal problems-sometimes involving rituals that blend folk beliefs, tantra, and local customs13. Their practices are especially prevalent in rural and tribal areas, and they are often approached for issues believed to be caused by supernatural forces.
Notable Cases Involving Ojhas
1. Allahabad Case (2024–2025)
A recent high-profile case involved an Ojha in Uttar Pradesh who was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl under the guise of religious healing. The Allahabad High Court rejected the bail plea of the accused, highlighting the misuse of spiritual authority for sexual exploitation. The incident drew national attention to the dangers posed by self-styled exorcists exploiting vulnerable individuals, especially women and minors2.
2. Shava Sadhana and Tantric Exorcism
In Bengal, Assam, and parts of North India, some Ojhas and Tantrics perform shava sadhana-a highly secretive and controversial tantric ritual involving meditation on a corpse. While not always associated with sexual exploitation, these rituals are surrounded by legends of practitioners being tested by temptations, including lustful visions or dancers, as part of the spiritual ordeal. Only a few, such as legendary sadhakas like Ramprasad Sen and Bamakhepa, are said to have completed such rituals without succumbing to temptation and gained spiritual powers or visions of the goddess3.
3. Witch-Hunt and Gendered Violence
In several states, particularly Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, and Chhattisgarh, Ojhas are involved in witch-hunt cases where women-often widows or those with property-are accused of witchcraft. These accusations are sometimes motivated by personal gain or social control, and Ojhas may lead or legitimize violent acts against the accused, including banishment, assault, or even murder6. Such cases rarely escalate into mass hysteria but are often individual acts of persecution.
Patterns and Dangers
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Sexual Exploitation: Cases like the Allahabad incident reveal how Ojhas can exploit their position for sexual abuse, especially targeting young girls or women under the pretext of exorcism or healing2.
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Psychological Manipulation: Rituals often involve isolating the victim, invoking fear, and using suggestive or coercive methods to establish control.
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Violence and Social Ostracism: In witch-hunt scenarios, Ojhas’ declarations can lead to severe violence, exclusion, or even death for the accused, most often women6.
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Spiritual and Ritual Abuse: Some tantric practices described in oral legends and texts test the practitioner’s resolve against lust and other temptations, with the belief that failing these tests leads to insanity or death3.
Cultural Context
Ojhas and similar practitioners operate in a complex social context where faith, fear, and lack of access to modern healthcare intersect. While some are genuine faith healers, others exploit superstition for personal gain, often with tragic consequences for the vulnerable.
Summary Table: Notable Ojha-Related Cases
| Case/Region | Nature of Practice/Incident | Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Allahabad (2024–2025) | Rape under guise of exorcism | Bail denied, case highlighted exploitation2 |
| Bengal, Assam (Shava Sadhana) | Tantric rituals with temptation tests | Spiritual legends, rare successful cases3 |
| Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam | Witch-hunt, violence against women | Persecution, violence, property disputes6 |
In summary:
Ojhas and similar exorcists are found across India, with practices ranging from ritual healing to dangerous and exploitative acts. Notable cases include sexual abuse under the guise of exorcism, violent witch-hunts, and esoteric tantric rituals. These incidents highlight the ongoing risks posed by unchecked spiritual authority, especially for women and minors in vulnerable communities236.
Citations:
- https://indiankanoon.org/search/?formInput=exorcism
- https://www.news18.com/india/allahabad-hc-rejects-bail-plea-of-ojha-accused-of-raping-15-year-old-under-guise-of-religious-healing-8685238.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shava_sadhana
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_landmark_court_decisions_in_India
- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20668/20668-h/20668-h.htm
- https://ir.vanderbilt.edu/bitstreams/e093a34b-a558-4b5d-bb14-36dc87dc459c/download
- https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/28449/download/31631/4240_1931_ETH.pdf
- https://mdpi-res.com/bookfiles/book/10116/Gurus_Priestesses_Saints_Mediums_and_Yoginis_Holy_Women_as_Influencers_in_Hindu_Culture.pdf?v=1740449293
- What are the most famous cases of witch hunts in India
Witch hunts remain a grim reality in India, especially in rural and tribal regions, and have led to thousands of deaths and countless cases of violence, ostracism, and social exclusion. Here are some of the most notable cases and patterns:
1.
Jharkhand has recorded the highest number of witch-hunt-related murders in India, with 593 women killed between 2001 and 2021. The state is notorious for brutal attacks, including beatings, torture, and killings, often triggered by accusations after illness, crop failure, or other misfortunes. Victims are mostly elderly or single women, often from marginalized communities15.
2.
Assam has a long history of witch hunts. In recent years, at least 77 people (mostly women) were killed and 60 injured in witch-hunting incidents since 2010. One particularly grisly case involved a celebrated athlete who was branded a witch, tied up, and severely beaten. Social activist Birubala Rabha has rescued dozens of women branded as witches and has been instrumental in pushing for Assam’s tough anti-witch-hunting law6.
3.
These states have also seen numerous cases of witch branding and violence. Women are often accused to settle personal grudges, grab land, or punish those who refuse sexual advances. Physical abuse, public humiliation, and banishment are common137.
4.
Witch trials were documented during British rule. In 1842, a woman in Palachpoor was murdered by her stepson after being accused of witchcraft. In 1849, Eullal was tortured and killed in Chapra after being found guilty by village officials, who then divided her property among themselves4.
5.
Recent cases include:
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In 2021, a woman in Jharkhand was savagely beaten, dragged through her village, and ostracized after being declared a witch. She was banned from community resources and continues to suffer social isolation and physical pain5.
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The story of Anaben Pawar, featured in the documentary “Testimony of Ana,” highlights the ongoing torture and lynching of women accused of witchcraft in Gujarat7.
6.
Witchcraft accusations often spike during times of crisis-such as disease outbreaks or crop failures-and are frequently used as tools for oppression, land grabs, or to punish women who resist social or sexual advances. The vast majority of victims are women, especially older, single, or widowed women from lower castes137.
: Notable Witch Hunt Cases in India
| State/Region | Notable Incidents & Patterns |
|---|---|
| Jharkhand | Highest number of murders, brutal violence, ongoing since 2001 |
| Assam | Athlete beaten, activist Birubala Rabha’s rescues, tough law |
| Bihar, Chhattisgarh, MP, Odisha | Frequent branding, violence, land and property motives |
| Gujarat | Documented torture and lynching, “Testimony of Ana” |
| British India (Historic) | Palachpoor, Chapra murders, property division after killings |
:
Witch hunts in India are marked by extreme violence, social exclusion, and are often driven by superstition, gender bias, and ulterior motives such as property disputes. Jharkhand, Assam, and several central and eastern states are the worst affected, with both historic and ongoing cases highlighting the persistent danger for marginalized women156.
Citations:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_hunts_in_India
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/witch-hunts-today-abuse-of-women-superstition-and-murder-collide-in-india/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/13/world/asia/india-witch-hunting.html
- https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2020/03/witch-trials-in-british-india-1.html
- https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-struggles-to-eradicate-an-old-scourge-witch-hunting-1218644.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35975360
- https://brownhistory.substack.com/p/witch-hunts-atrocities-from-past
- https://aeon.co/videos/witch-hunts-persist-as-a-horrifying-deadly-reality-in-pockets-of-rural-india
Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/-Vmxe0pn9RNi0Uz71ugEFiw?utm_source=copy_output
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