THE ARTICLES OF INDIANS SUPERSITION.

This article is about superstition as a social issue. For a list of superstitions, see List of superstitions
in India.

Superstition in India is considered a widespread social problem. Superstition refers to any belief or
practice which is explained by supernatural causality, and is in contradiction to modern
science.[1] Some beliefs and practices, which are considered superstitious by some, may not be
considered so by others. The gap, between what is superstitious and what is not, widens even more
when considering the opinions of the general public and scientists.[2] This article notes beliefs or
practices in India, which have been deemed of being superstitions or pseudosciences, though
opinions may vary on some issueS.

Overview[edit]
Superstitions are usually attributed to a lack of education.[3] But, in India educated people have also
been observed following beliefs that may be considered superstitious.[4] The literacy rate of India,
according to the 2011 census is at 74%.[5] The beliefs and practices vary from region to region, with
many regions having their own specific beliefs.[6] The practices may range from harmless lemon-and-
chilli totems for warding off evil eye[7] to serious concerns like witch-burning.[8] Some of these beliefs
and practices are centuries old and are considered part of the tradition and religion, as a result
introduction of new prohibitory laws often face opposition.[9][10]

Past[edit]
Sati[edit]
Main article: Sati (practice)

According to Commission (Prevention) of Sati Act 1987, Sati is defined as the act of burning alive or
burial of a widow (or any women) along with the body of her deceased husband (including relatives,
or object belonging someone like that), irrespective of whether it was voluntary.[11] After he watched
the Sati of his own sister-in-law, Ram Mohan Roy began campaigning for abolition of the practice in
1811.[citation needed] The practice of Sati was abolished in British India in 1829 by Governor General Lord
William Bentinck.[12] Although it has been therefore illegal in India for almost two centuries, some
incidents have been recorded in recent years.

Death of Roop Kanwar[edit]

Main article: Roop Kanwar

On 4 September 1987, 17 (or 18) year old Roop Kanwar of Deorala village in Sikar district in
Rajasthan, who had been married for only 7 months,[13] burned to death on her husband's pyre.[14] It
was alleged that the victim had tried to escape, but she was drugged and forced on to the
pyre.[15][16] On 1 October 1987, Rajasthan legislative assembly passed an ordinance against Sati,
which was later turned into an Act.[17] It was followed by pro-Sati rallies and protests in Jaipur.[17][18]On
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3 January 1988,[19] the Indian parliament passed a new law, Commission (Prevention) of Sati Act
1987, based on Rajasthan's legislation of 1987.[13] This act also criminalised glorification
of Sati.[13] Police charged her father-in-law and brother-in-law of allegedly forcing her to commit the
act, but they were acquitted in October 1996.[20]

Human sacrifice[edit]
See also: Human sacrifice in India

Although, human sacrifices are not prevalent in India, rare isolated incidents happen occasionally,
especially in rural areas. In some cases, human beings have been replaced by animals and birds.
But after backlash from animal rights groups, in some places they have been replaced by
human effigies.[21] The beliefs behind these sacrifices vary from inducing rainfall to helping childless
women conceive.[22] It is alleged that some cases often go unreported or are covered
up.[23][24] Between 1999 and 2006, about 200 cases of child sacrifices were reported from Uttar
Pradesh.[23]

Prevalent[edit]
Astrology and fortune telling[edit]
See also: Hindu astrology and Astrology and Science

Astrology plays a great role in people's lives in India. People consult astrologers to decide names for
their new born children.[25] People compared horoscopes before marriage and marriage only between
couples with compatible horoscopes.[26] Marriages and other functions are conducted at auspicious
times (muhurta) specified by astrologers.[25][26]Several politicians also reportedly go to consult
astrologers before important decisions.[27]

Criticism[edit]

U. R. Rao, former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, has criticised astrology noting
that astrology is more popular than astronomy, which may be affecting India's recognition in
science.[28][29] Meera Nanda, historian and author, has written that India cannot become a superpower
in science, unless it eradicates its various superstitions including astrology.[30] Others who have
criticised astrology include, Jayant Narlikar (astrophysicist),[26]P. M Bhargava (founder ofCentre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology), Ram Puniyani (former IIT professor) and Yash Pal (physicist and
educator.[31]editAshis Nandypolitical psychologist[32]

Historical predictions[edit]

In September 1951, responding to a newspaper article about an astrologer predicting an

imminent war with Pakistan, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru expressed his
desire to pass a law against astrology and sooth-saying.[33]
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In January 1962, Indian astrologers predicted a global catastrophe on Sunday 4 February 1962.
People took refuge in hills to escape the event. The Maharajah of Sikkim, Palden Thondup
Namgyal postponed his marriage to Hope Cooketo 1963 on the advice of some astrologers.
Business and travel also slowed down.[34] People organised mass prayer meetings. Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called it a "matter for laughter".[35][36]
In January 1981, several astrologers predicted 12 more months of Iran-Iraq war, an Indian
general election in 1983 and a world war in March 1984. A doomsday prediction was also made
by an astrologer for 1995, when 7080 percent of the world population would be destroyed.[37]
In June 1981, an astrologer made the prediction that Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India,
would be assassinated in September 1981. Her son Rajiv Gandhi would also be assassinated
shortly afterwards. Then, following these eventsH. N. Bahuguna would become the Prime
Minister. The astrologer was arrested in December for questioning.[38] Indira Gandhi reportedly
consulted astrologers herself.[39]
In October 2004, several Indian astrologers predicted that John Kerry would win the 2004 US
presidential election. They also predicted it would "rejuvenate" the United States, and bring
peace in Iraq, the Middle East and Afghanistan.[40]
In January 2012, several astrologers predicted that there will be no doomsday in 2012 and it will
be a good year for India and the Indian economy.[41][42]
Challenges and empirical tests[edit]

Before the general election in 2009, rationalist activist Narendra Nayak laid an open challenge to
any soothsayer to answer 25 questions correctly about the forthcoming elections. The prize was
set at {{currency}} invalid amount (help)(about US$1,500). About 450 responses were mailed
to him, but none were found to be correct.[43]
Godmen and faith healers[edit]
Main articles: Godman and Faith healer

The word godman is a colloquial blanket term used for charismatic spiritual leaders in
India.[44][45] Locally, they may be referred to as baba, swami, guru, shastri, bapu or bhagat.[46] Many of
them claim to have magic or psychic powers and perform miracles.[44][45] On the other hand, some
only provide spiritual advice.[47] There are also female gurus.[48] Many of them are worshipped by their
followers as avatars or living gods.[48] Many of them belong to ancient ascetic lineages or claim to be
successor to some previous spiritual predecessor.[48] Some of them have built large pan-Indian or
international networks.[48] Their recent success has been attributed to the use of mass media
and public relations[44][47]Swami Premanandaan ashram in Pudukkotai, Tamil Nadu, in 1989.[49] In
1996, one of the girls living the ashram escaped and reported that she was raped and was
pregnant.[50] In view of the so-called spiritual powers of the accused, which included doing miracles
like materialisingvibhuti and regurgitating small Shiva lingams,
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