Gujarat man arrested for murdering 10-year-old son at home temple altar
· India · Indian Express, NDTV
Naresh, 36, a self-styled 'Bhuva' faith healer from Vinchhiya village in Ahmedabad district, allegedly killed his 10-year-old son Karan at the altar of Jogani Mata in his home courtyard on November 1. Police say Naresh slammed the boy against the altar and struck him with a stick to prevent Karan from becoming a faith healer like him. Naresh was found sleeping next to the body by his wife Bharti Patel, who had left the home 10 days earlier after he beat her. The FIR quotes Naresh telling his wife he killed the boy to ensure 'nobody else becomes a Bhuva in this family'. Inspector J L Chauhan of Sanand police station confirmed Naresh has been charged with murder and arrested, and a psychological evaluation is underway as he does not appear mentally stable.
Why it matters
The murder of a child by his own father at a home temple altar exposes the deadly consequences of superstition-driven abuse, where a father killed his son to stop him from following his occupation as a 'Bhuva' faith healer. The case highlights the risk to children in families entrenched in ritualistic practices and the failure of rationalist outreach to prevent such tragedies. It also underscores the urgent need for psychological intervention and protection mechanisms for children in such commun
Read the original report — Indian Express
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