An assault on reason: Recalling 1998 saffron brigade attack on anti-witch-hunt campaign

I was recently forwarded a memorandum submitted to the Governor of Gujarat, dated November 8, 1998. It instantly transported me back to a time when I was settling into Gandhinagar as the Times of India correspondent. The document was sent to me by Lankesh Chakravarti, a well-known Gujarat-based activist who has long led campaigns against superstition across the state, staging demonstrations and skits to raise awareness among ordinary people.

The memorandum documents what it calls an "attack by an armed Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) mob on NGOs and social organisations campaigning against atrocities on Adivasi women (dakan or witch-hunting) at Shamlaji (District Sabarkantha, Gujarat) on 3rd and 4th November 1998."

Shamlaji, home to a 500-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is a place I’ve visited often — not so much for prayer, but to admire its stunning architecture. Adivasi communities inhabit the surrounding areas. According to the memorandum, a coalition of human rights organisations was subjected to a violent attack by an armed mob allegedly affiliated with the VHP during a peaceful awareness campaign against witch-hunting practices in the region.

The campaign, which was widely covered by the local media at the time, was led by several Gujarat-based NGOs including the Veham Andhshraddha Virodhi Manch, Vikas Adhyayan Kendra, and Adivasi Ekta Vikas Mandal. Their goal was to raise awareness about the abuse of Adivasi women, who were being subjected to brutal practices disguised as exorcism rituals at the Nagdhara Kund (pond) near the Shamlaji temple.

The activists had documented testimonies of women being stripped, beaten, and tortured under the pretext of "driving out evil spirits" — a practice that had been condemned by both local Panchayats and rights groups. “People were fully aware of these despicable acts. So-called educated people would even gather to 'enjoy' the spectacle of women being stripped," Lankesh told me.

Ironically, the saffron-clad defenders of Hindu culture targeted these NGOs instead of supporting the campaign against witchcraft. On the afternoon of November 3, 1998, a group claiming VHP affiliation arrived at the exhibition site and began abusing the organisers. They accused the activists — particularly the women — of being foreign agents and Christian missionaries, using derogatory and sexist language. Despite the presence of police, the mob continued issuing threats and demanded that the organisers vacate the area, boasting of their influence over local authorities.

The situation deteriorated further that night. Around 50 armed men carrying hockey sticks, swords, and daggers stormed the venue in full view of the police. According to the memorandum, the mob threatened to burn down the exhibition and warned of further violence if the campaign was not halted. Some of the abuse was recorded on video by the organisers.

Police and local officials allegedly failed to intervene. In fact, some officers were reportedly seen chatting amicably with the attackers. Even as the threat escalated, the response remained sluggish. Fearing for their safety, the activists dismantled the exhibition on November 4. They also reported witnessing fresh violence at the Kund, where Adivasi women had again been stripped and assaulted.

Their attempt to leave was blocked early that morning when the mob once again encircled them at around 6 a.m., demanding the surrender of the video evidence. Shockingly, the police appeared to side with the mob and advised the activists to hand over the cassette to avoid "trouble." Eventually, three activists were taken to the police station along with the tape, which was then seized. Its authenticity was questioned.

The memorandum submitted on November 8 demanded the return of the video evidence, an independent judicial inquiry, and swift action against those responsible — including police officers who allegedly colluded with the attackers. The NGOs also called for the prosecution of VHP members for their "filthy sexist behaviour," for encouraging superstitious violence against women, and for obstructing constitutionally protected human rights work.

Recalling the episode, Lankesh told me, "We had been fighting against this superstition since 1988. Some of us even approached the Supreme Court to stop the practice of witchcraft. We got the judgment in 1998. Following the Shamlaji incident, the administration took action to halt the practice. Ever since, the entire Nagdhara Kund is cordoned off, and outsiders are barred from accessing the site. You can’t stop women from taking what they believe is a holy dip in the pond, but ever since, there are separate bathing areas for men and women."