Tribal Siblings' Untimely Deaths Expose Perils of Superstition in Chhattisgarh

On November 13 and 14, 2025, a devastating tragedy unfolded in Chhattisgarh as three tribal siblings from a local family passed away within two days. The children, aged 8, 7, and 4, had fallen ill and developed fever, but instead of taking them to a hospital, their parents consulted a local quack and resorted to faith healing practices.

The family had traveled to an interior village in Chhattisgarh's Gariyaband district, where the children's condition rapidly deteriorated. Despite the worsening symptoms, the parents continued to rely on the quack and a "baiga" (witch doctor) for traditional "jhad-phunk" (faith healing) rituals. By the time the parents finally took the children to a hospital, it was too late, and the three siblings had already succumbed to their illnesses.

The incident has exposed the deep-rooted problem of superstition and lack of awareness in the region, where many people still prefer to seek treatment from unqualified practitioners and faith healers rather than visiting a proper medical facility. Health officials have launched an inquiry into the matter and urged residents to seek prompt medical attention for high fevers, rather than relying solely on unqualified practitioners or ritual healers.