‘Dedicated her life to rationalism and scientific thinking’, says Assam CM on Birubala Rabha’s passing

Birubala worked towards eradicating superstitious rituals, especially those pertaining to witch-hunting.

Birubala was diagnoised with oesophageal cancer the same year she received the Padma Shri (Express File)

The visionary behind the passage of the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015, and the formation of ‘Mission Birubala’, an initiative against witch-hunting, Birubala Rabha, a social activist and the recipient of the Padma Shri among many other honours, passed away at the age of 75.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep grief over her demise and recalled her efforts in “ushering in a social renaissance against superstitions, and practices such as witch-hunting.

Birubala worked towards eradicating rituals arising from superstitions, especially witch-hunting. It was after her son fell unwell and a local quack told her that he had fallen in love with a fairy that she questioned the veracity of these superstitions, and made it her life’s mission not to let others fall prey to superstition.

She was also a part of Project Prahari, the first institutional initiative towards the fight against witch-hunting, which was launched in 2001 by former Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia.

“Birubala Rabha dedicated her life towards the creation of a society that is based on rationalism and scientific thinking,” the CM said, adding that the life and works of Birubala Rabha would go a long way in motivating others to contribute towards the creation of a ‘model society’.

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Birubala started her journey in the late 1980s and was successful in bringing in the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act in 2018 which rendered witch-hunting a “cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable” offence. Her work was recognized on a national level and she was conferred the country’s fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 2021.

CM has directed that Birubala’s last rites be carried out with full state honour. He has also requested his Cabinet colleagues, Chandramohan Patowary, Forest & Environment Minister and Jayanta Mallabaruah, Tourism Minister to take charge of the last rites and to ensure smooth functioning of the same.

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Birubala was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer the same year she received the Padma Shri. However she continued to hold meetings to raise awareness about the practice post her diagnosis. She has entrusted her colleagues and daughter to take her work forward.