BJP MP Slams Jharkhand Govt in RS Over Ritual Killing of Girl

New Delhi (IANS): BJP Rajya Sabha member Aditya Prasad attacked the Jharkhand government on Thursday, labeling the “ritualistic” murder of a 13-year-old girl in Hazaribagh as a “deeply unfortunate” tragedy. Raising the issue in the Upper House, Prasad argued the incident exposes the dangerous persistence of superstition and black magic in the state.

A Gruesome Crime in Hazaribagh

The brutal case occurred in Kusumbha village under the Bishnugarh police station area. Authorities allege that on the night of March 24, a mother strangled her minor daughter as part of a human sacrifice ritual.

Police have arrested three individuals:

• Reshmi Devi (35): The victim’s mother.

• Shanti Devi (55): An occult practitioner (tantrik).

• Bhim Ram: An accomplice.

Investigators report that the mother sought help from the tantrik for her youngest son’s mental and physical ailments. The tantrik allegedly convinced the mother that sacrificing a “virgin girl” would cure the boy.

Allegations of Government Inaction

Aditya Prasad criticized the JMM-led Hemant Soren government for failing to eradicate barbaric superstitious practices. He compared the case to previous incidents that sparked nationwide outrage, accusing the current administration of lacking political will.

“Despite repeated incidents of human sacrifice and witch-hunting in Jharkhand, the state government shows no serious effort to end these medieval practices,” Prasad stated.

The BJP leader accused the ruling alliance of remaining insensitive to the safety of women and children, particularly in rural and tribal regions where superstition remains prevalent. He demanded that the government:

• Launch a massive awareness campaign.

• Strictly enforce anti-superstition laws.

• Ensure stringent punishment for those promoting ritual killings.

Ongoing Investigations

While Jharkhand continues to struggle with witch-hunting and ritual violence, national and local bodies have stepped in. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has formed a panel to probe the murder, and district police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Prasad urged the state administration to treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” to make it a turning point in the fight against blind faith.