ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020

Title of the Practice

“Bhanamati and Jadu Tona Nivaran Kendra” [Centre for Eradication of Superstitions: Bhanamati and Jadu Tona (Black magic)]”

Goal Though the State of Maharashtra enjoys the reputation of being one of the progressive states in the country based on the revolutionary contributions made by the greatest of the social thinkers, reformers and the champions of the down-trodden Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the reality is quite contradictory. The condition of the bahujans is equally pathetic, people are seen feeding on superstitions rather than on reason. The situation over here, particularly in Parbhani district of the Marathwada region, which was once notified by the UGC as the educationally backward district, is quite grave where the ordinary folk are seen exploited by the self-styled godmen who practice black magic in the name of God and religion.
The gullible villagers easily fall prey to the histrionics of the self-declared babas and become subjected to innumerable ailments, like ‘bhanamati’ (in fact, a psychological disorder but linked to some practice of black magic), ‘bhoot badha’ (affected by ghosts), ‘jadu tona’ (black magic) ‘mantra tantra’ and ‘karni’ (enactment of black magic or curse). Women, particularly, are harassed and even exploited sexually under the pretext of driving away some evil spirit. “Bhanamati and Jadu Tona Nivaran Kendra”, which was established some 20 years ago under the guidance of Dr. Adinath Ingole, precisely addresses these issues.

Objectives

1. To promote rational thinking and inculcate the spirit of scientific temper among the students as well as the community.
2. To arrange lectures on the scientific outlook and conduct experiments for explaining the true reasons behind the strange happenings, which are usually linked to some supernatural elements. .
3. To diagnose and offer counseling to bhanamati-affected people. .
4. To educate the rural folk against the destructive superstitions and outdated practices. .
5. To provide students with the necessary guidance and books on scientific outlook.

It has been observed that due to the lack of awareness, low literacy rate and the lack of true education, majority of the people living in the rural and semi-urban areas suffer from superstitions. Bhanamati, Jadu Tona and such similar practices are noticed prevalent among the rural women and also among the slum-dwellers who are subjected to an endless exploitation of various kinds: social, religious, economic, sexual and of family relations. The patriarchal society, as it is quite evident that it does not entertain the idea of women liberation, nor does it allow them to express their emotions and feelings openly. The long suppressed emotions and feelings when reach to the pinnacle point of patience, they become unbearable. Such pent up feelings find some way out, some times in the form of bhanamati. Such phenomenon is linked to some supernatural elements by the self-declared babas. They put blame on some innocent people and are made scapegoats.
The innocent people are attacked upon and falsely accused of practising black magic. Hence, the Head of the Centre has the burden doubled, he requires to provide police protection to such persons.

The Practice

As these ailments are psychological, the counselors face the task of tight-rope walking in finding remedies. The counsellor, first of all, endeavours to have a close look at the family background before attempting to diagnose the cause and finding the remedies. Dr. Adinath Ingole begins his counseling by taking the affected into confidence and the process involves reaching to the root cause by identifying various issues and persons involved. The bhanamati-affected person’s friends and relatives are separately interviewed and updated about the condition of the aggrieved. Then, he tries, gradually, to weed out the fear for the supernatural from the sufferer. Once the issues are properly attended, the sufferer returns to normalcy.
Dr. Adinath Ingole, In-charge of the centre, has received formal training about how to conduct counseling, from Dr. NarendraDhabolkar, the Founder-President of Maharashtra State “Andhashradha Nirmoolan Samiti” and a medical doctor himself.
Dr. Ingole, because of the support that he receives from the college, has travelled extensively for delivering lectures and conducting practical / experimental sessions for creating awareness among the people. As a recognition of the services that he rendered, he was felicitated with an award “Anis Karya Gaurav Puraskar, 2001”’ at Aurangabad.
Though it is mentioned in the constitution in the Article 51(A)(h), “To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform,” the curriculum prescribed over the years and the policies drafted do not serve for the purpose. Hence, it is a unique activity that the College has been actively engaged with and aspires to continue in the future as well.
During the academic year 2019-20 Dr. Ingole has attended seven cases of Bhanamati and successfully helped Ku. Arti Kadam, Limbgaon; Mrs Nilabai Warule and Sow. Sujata Warule, Hiwra; Sow. Vimalbai Buchale and Rukmabaai Buchale, Aavayi; Sow. Parwati Jadhav, Mulapur and Sow Vijaymala Kadam, Sawargaon to come out of the evil fate. In this year he also delivered more than ten lectures about scientific attitude and gave demos of against Bhanamati and jadutona in varous colleges like Renukadevi College Mahur, Rajiv Gandhi College, Mudkhed, in a programme of Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sabha at Loha, etc.
Evidence of Success Dr. Ingole, along with his associates, has so far helped, more than five hundred and eighty (580) bhanamati-affected people in the region to come out of that state of ailment, apart from delivering hundreds of lectures on promoting scientific temper to the students and the community as well.
The common reasons among women that derive them to strange are:

1. Exploitation at the hands of the mother-in-law and in-laws.
2. Child marriage / Marriage against the wish.
3. Physical beating received at the hands of husband after consuming alcohol.
4. Subjected to negligence in the family.
5. Not allowed to take part in the decision-making.
6. Husband’s extra-marital relationships.
7. Second marriage due to childlessness, etc.

1. Irresponsible behavior of the husband towards his offspring.
2. Shouldering the responsibilities of the family, etc.

1. Dependence on her offspring / guilty feeling.
2. Subjected to negligence / inferiority complex, etc.

Though it is seen very rare in men, a couple of cases have really created ripples in the region that a man, (name kept secret) aged about 45 years, an agricultural labourer, all of a sudden started laughing and weeping simultaneously, another one aged about 35 years felt like impressed by Naag Devata, behaving like a snake and tore his clothes. After conducting counseling, the true causes surfaced, that the fellow was in fact suffering from a leg injury, the pain was so severe that he could not bear it. As the society does not approve of a man weeping, he could neither weep nor laugh. This social-cum-personal crisis led him to severe mental block, which finally resulted in to “Bhanamati”.

The primary aim of the center is to educate students and the community against all kinds of exploitation unleashed in the name of God and religion. The activities carried out by the centre also aim at the eradication of superstitions, and this has enraged some hard-core conservative persons who opposed by labeling these activities as anti-religious.
Problems are encountered in exposing fake babas (godmen) who exploit gullible people and also in providing police protection to the innocent, falsely accused people of practicing black magic.
The unflinching faith of the people in the age-old, conservative ideals and their dogmatic thinking created problems in promoting the rational thinking.
Contact Details
Name of the Principal: Dr. K. Rajkumar
Name of the person in-charge of this practice: Dr. S. D. Kapse
Name of the Institute: Shri Guru Buddhiswami Mahavidyalaya
City: Purna (Jn.)
Pin Code: 431511
Work Place: Purna
Website: www.sgbmpurna.in
Mobile: Principal: +91 9422187314
In-charge: +91 9923169512