TEZPUR, Aug 22 - At a time when the issue of witch-hunting still haunts many people, a Hyderabad-based NGO, Atmikha has been vocal in women empowerment activities and mental health, particularly among the women of Assam.
The activists of the organisation addressing a press conference at the Chambers of Commerce here on Monday revealed that after experiencing many tragic incidents of witch-hunting across the nation, a film on witch-hunting titled, Aei Maatite, in memory of founder of the NGO Narendra Dabholkar, who started a movement against superstitious acts like witch-hunting in Mumbai, is being made. This will be released on October 6.
Interacting with mediapersons, the activists of the NGO further said that the first Assamese movie on witch-hunting with the special backdrop of Assam, written and directed by Dr Sitanath Lakhar, a retired Principal of the Cotton College will highlight how witch-hunting issue has been paralysing our society.
It is to be stated here that on the occasion of the death anniversary of the man behind the NGO, late Dr Narendra Dabholkar, the dedicated activists of the NGO have been conducting a number of activities across the nation. The activists of the NGO revealed that witch-hunting is not a problem witnessed only in Assam; it is a common phenomenon across the country.
�We feel that creating awareness is the best means of eradicating this serious problem and in Assam, the case is more prevalent in tea garden areas. So, we have been focusing more in the tea garden areas by organising various programmes including awareness meeting among the labourers,� they said adding that they have already received the clearance certificate from the censor board for the film.
They informed that the film will specially talk about the witch-hunting problem in Assam and how a section of people are using witchcraft for their own interest. It will pass a very strong message against witch-hunting, upholding the values of scientific temperament and human life.
�Witch-hunting has no logic at all and is shrouded with darkness of superstition, which is to be overcomed by the society itself and this is the theme of the film,� they said.
It needs mention here that the movie, made under the banner of Angeekar Films, has been directed by independent filmmaker and eminent theatre personality Dr Lahkar and it is an adaptation of his famous stage play Tamasa on the burning problem of witch-hunting. The story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics have also been penned by Dr Lahkar.
