Birubala Rabha, anti-witch hunting advocate in Assam, dies at 75
Birubala Rabha, Padma Shri awardee and anti-witch hunting advocate, passed away at 75. Her efforts brought significant social change in Assam.
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Padma Shri awardee Birubala Rabha, popular as Assam Anti-Witch Hunting Law Activist, passed away on Monday after a long battle with cancer. She was 75 and died at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Rabha had been suffering from advanced esophageal cancer since 2021 and was admitted on April 22 due to severe weakness. Her condition worsened, and she was moved to the ICU on May 4, receiving mechanical ventilator support on Sunday due to respiratory distress. She passed away at 9:23 am due to multi-organ failure.
Rabha is survived by two sons, a daughter, and other relatives. Her son and brother were victims of witch hunting, which fueled her determination to fight against this social evil. She founded the NGO 'Mission Birubala' and worked tirelessly in remote areas despite facing numerous threats to her life from superstitious villagers.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep condolences, praising Rabha for her relentless efforts in humanitarian efforts in Assam and bringing hope to many women. He called her a symbol of courage and strength. Chandra Mohan Patowary - Environment and Forest Minister, also visited GMCH to pay his respects, highlighting her irreplaceable contribution to humanity.
Rabha's remains will be taken to her home in Goalpara district, where her last rites will be conducted with full state honours. Born in 1949 in Thakurvila village, Goalpara, Rabha faced many hardships from a young age. Her father died when she was six, forcing her to leave school and help her mother. She married at 15 and had three children.
Rabha was instrumental in passing the Assam Witch Hunting (Prevention, Prohibition, and Protection) Act, 2015, which made witch hunting a serious, non-bailable offence, with punishments of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Birubala Rabha's advocacy against witch hunting began when her son was falsely labelled a witch due to his mental health issues.
In 2012, she founded 'Mission Birubala' to raise awareness against superstitions and support victims of witch hunting through various witch hunting awareness campaigns. The organisation has saved 55 victims in various districts. Recognised for her witch hunting prevention efforts, she received the Padma Shri in 2021 and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 by The Swiss Peace, Switzerland. She also received an Honorary Doctorate from Gauhati University and numerous other awards.
Condolences have poured in from various quarters, praising Rabha as a symbol of courage and a defender of humanity. Sarbananda Sonowal - Union Minister and Lurinjyoti Gogoi - Assam Jatiya Parishad President, also paid tribute. Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah described Birubala Rabha's Death as an irreparable loss to Assamese society.
