Uttar Pradesh villagers visit Sonbhadra to get rid of spirits

ser of the fair and an exorcist says: I have come here to solve the problem of the people troubled by spirits.

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Pannugunj (Sonbhadra) (U.P), July 6: The annual Sonbhadra fair which was held earlier this week was frequented, among others, by hundreds of people who wanted to rid themselves of evil spirits.

Pannuganj village was the venue where people possessed by 'evil spirits' gathered to be treated by witch doctors, locally known as 'Ojhas'.

The Ojhas claim to possess supernatural powers that 'enable' them to drive away evil spirits. They say that they are just 'helping' people in trouble. The 'spirit' cannot be got rid of by modern medicine, they say.

Sukhi Ram, organiser of the fair and an exorcist says: "I have come here to solve the problem of the people troubled by spirits."

People attending the fair believed that the evil spirits cause a sudden change in a person's social behaviour.

Shukalu, one such 'patient' said: "Earlier this year, I started beating people and do strange things. That's why I have come here."

Social organisations have been working in the area to rid the people of the superstitions, who are largely uneducated.

Sociologists say many of the Ojhas are con artists, making money out of gullible and vulnerable people.

ANI