Sick children were beaten with bars
In Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, a shocking case of branding innocent children with hot rods instead of treatment in the name of superstition has come to light. All three children were suffering from pneumonia. The age of two of them is only two months and all three are on oxygen support. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance in this matter.
According to the information, Pediatrician of the District Hospital, Dr. Sandeep Chopra has written a letter to the police station in-charge and informed him about the situation. All three children were brought to the district hospital in critical condition, where during treatment it was revealed that they had been branded with hot iron bars due to superstition. Of the three children, two are only two months old, while the third child is six months old. The condition of all three has become critical. He has been kept on oxygen support in the hospital.
Children were burnt at the behest of a Tantrik
After contracting pneumonia, the family members, following superstition, branded their own children with hot irons on the advice of a village Tantrik. The first girl, who is only two months old, was undergoing complete treatment under the supervision of doctors, but during the treatment, burn wounds were made at several places on her neck and stomach with hot sticks of wood or iron. The second incident is also related to a two-month old baby, whom the expert doctors are trying to save by keeping him on oxygen, but three deep stains were found near the stomach on his tiny body.
Case registered on doctor’s complaint
Third, the six-month-old girl has fresh burn marks on both sides of her stomach and back, and she is also writhing in pain on the hospital bed. The screams of these children and the helplessness of their mothers shock the hearts of every citizen of Jhabua district. Doctors and health staff are shocked by this incident. Dr. Sandeep Chopra, Pediatric Incharge of the District Hospital, informed the police station in-charge about the entire matter in writing and stressed that such treatment is inhumane and dangerous.
In 2023 also, the Human Rights Commission had taken strict action on a similar incident in Jhabua district. The culprits were arrested after submitting the report. Despite this, once again superstition has played with the lives of innocent people in Jhabua. Doctors have clearly said that treatment of pneumonia or such infections should be done only in the hospital under the supervision of doctors, superstition can even cost the life of an innocent person.
NHRC took cognizance of the matter
The administration and police have become active, but the big question is that for how long will children continue to be given this burning punishment for superstition? NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance in this matter. NHRC Commission has issued a notice to the Collector and SP of Jhabua on this serious matter. Also, a detailed report has been sought from both the officers in two weeks.
