Maharashtra: Man's Health Condition Worsens After Family Performs 'Ritual' To Cure Snake Bite

Although the doctors insisted the relatives not do it, they continued on with the ritual. The patient continued to bleed and his condition worsened.

A tribal man suffering from snakebite was allegedly subjected to a superstitious ritual by his family members at a hospital in Maharashtra's Palghar district following which he developed health complications, officials said. Soma Thackeray of Karajgaon in Talasari taluka was bitten by the reptile and was taken to a rural hospital. While at the hospital, one of his relatives tried to give him some “holy water” as a part of a superstitious ritual believed to be able to cure him, as per PTI. The relatives also recorded and circulated a video on social media.

Although the doctors insisted the relatives not do it, they continued on with the ritual. The patient continued to bleed and his condition worsened. When Soma’s condition worsened, he was rushed to another hospital in the neighbouring Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli for treatment where his condition was reported to be stable, as per PTI.

A medical officer at the Talasari hospital said due to the risk they face while working in rural areas they have sought police protection for the medical facility.

A similar incident unfolded in June this year. News18 reported that Sunita Devi, a resident of Dighi Village suffered a serious health issue which some suspected to be a snake bite and she kept fainting repeatedly. Her family had taken her to a ‘Tantrik,’ who claimed to rid ailments with magic. However, this did not work on her, so Sunita Devi was rushed to Sadar Hospital, in the car along with her family was the tantrik. The car had stopped in front of the hospital and when it stopped the tantrik sang and exorcised. While this went on for around fifteen more minutes, where seemingly everyone was waiting for the exorcism to work but when it did not then they decided to admit Sunita Devi.

In 2003, Maharashtra adopted the ‘Anti-superstition and Black Magic Act,’ which was drafted by anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar. As per the law, it is illegal to engage in black magic, sacrifices of humans and use of magic to treat illnesses and other behaviours that may prey on people’s superstition.