An Indian woman who was gang-raped and impregnated as a result will have to go through a “purification ritual” to remain the part of her society, writes the Pakistan Tribe news publication.
The only condition in which her society would accept her back is that she would go through an exhausting ritual which is conducted to “purify” her, according to the Pakistan Tribe.
The ritual is ordered by her community’s local courts and only has to be undertaken by the females in cases of rape or infidelity.
The ritual entails a test in which a “tantric” – a priest basically practicing black magic and believing in supernatural powers – asks the victim questions regarding the incident. The ritual pre-dates the existence of courts and the police, according to the BBC News.
The transparency of her responses is to be determined by the number of barley seeds in the priest’s hand.
The woman will be asked whether the number of seeds in the priest’s hand is even or odd. If she gives the right answer, she will supposedly be telling the truth and if she cannot give the right answer it will mean that she has been telling lies.
In return for this, she will have to carry a 10-kg stone on her head while giving answers to the same questions asked previously. This process continues for until the priest is satisfied that she has finally told the truth.
If the lady passes the test and is purified, then she is accepted by her family and if not then she will have to leave the community, writes the Pakistani Tribe.
(Updated article)
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32444349
http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/40753/gang-rape-victim-to-undergo-tiresome-purification-ritual/
OK, Fine. 