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Journalism of Courage
RATANPOR, (BHARUCH DIST), OCT 5: The law does not recognise it. But for devotees, it’s clinching evidence that proves whether the suspect is guilty or innocent.
Every Thursday, in fact every day of the week, suspects are brought to Bavagor ni dargah, a shrine erected in the memory of a Siddi saint, and the unusual exercise of establishing the guilt or innocence begins.
The suspect is bathed in a pond about 100 metres from the shrine, followed by a religious ritual. He is then made to run with a shackle fastened around his leg.
If the shackle comes off, the suspect is presumed innocent; if it remains fastened even after the run is complete, the guilt is established beyond doubt. If found guilty, the suspect is let off after a petty fine.
No one remembers when and how the practice began. Old-timers say it is a reflection of the faith devotees have in the saint who is believed to have come from Sudan in the 11th or the 12th century.
The shrine is located atop a hill near Ratanpore village where about 100 Siddi families still live. It is located some kilometres away from the base of the hill. The Siddis, hailing from various parts of Africa, came here as slaves with medieval invaders.
But the Siddi saint’s popularity cuts across all religions. The practice is as much popular among believers in Islam as it is among tribesmen and Hindus, some of whom come from as far as Uttar Pradesh. Sherubhai Malek, a resident of Ratanpor, says: “Ninety per cent of believers are non-Muslims.”
Mohammedmiyan Salemmiyan Siddi, the Munjawar who presides over the ceremony, says the believers refuse to see reason and insist on the practice. More often than not, the crimes involve theft of money and valuables. On catching a suspect, the devotees prefer to come here directly rather than going to the police.
Interestingly, decades ago the test was taken as fool-proof. Now, even if the suspect clears the test, the legal proceedings go on.
The Munjavar says migrant labourers who stay in small hovels in heavily industrialised places prefer the test to the legal proceedings. A labourer whose money is stolen brings the rest of the occupants of his room to take the test. The Munjavar admits that he himself does not believe in it totally. “It’s a matter of faith,” he comments. On his part, he tries to discourage devotees — at times rudely — but often fails.
