Chhattisgarh BJP MP Threatens Officials with "Lemon Cutting" Ritual Despite Anti-Superstition Laws

Bhopal: Controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh after BJP MP Bhojraj Nag made remarks invoking ritualistic practices to address unresponsive government officials, despite the state's active legislation against witchcraft and superstition.

The Kanker Lok Sabha constituency representative publicly declared at a press conference in Dhamtari that he would "cut lemons" for officials who fail to answer calls or address public concerns. This statement, made during celebrations of tribal leader Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary, references a Bastar region superstition where cutting a lemon in someone's name allegedly brings misfortune upon them.

"Inform me which officials don't respond to calls, refuse to communicate, or ignore people's issues. I'll cut lemons for all of them," Nag stated emphatically.

This is not the first time the MP has employed such metaphors. Previously, Nag claimed he would "drive away ghosts by cutting lemons" and during a housing fair in Pakhanjoor last year, threatened to begin "exorcising" officials with "old mindsets" if they didn't reform within six months after the election.

Nag, a prominent tribal leader, has openly embraced spiritual practices in public settings. During last year's Navratri celebrations, he was reportedly "possessed by a goddess" while participating in a procession, dancing amid traditional chants and drumbeats.

"In our tribal tradition, deities visit many people. The goddess has blessed me for 15 to 20 years. Divine entities work to promote regional development," he explained afterward.

While these statements reflect deeply held tribal cultural beliefs, they raise concerns when coming from an elected official in constitutional office, especially considering Chhattisgarh's ongoing struggle with superstition-related violence.

Despite the Chhattisgarh Witchcraft Prevention Act of 2005 (Chhattisgarh Tonhi Pratadna Nivaran Adhiniyam), crimes connected to occult beliefs remain alarmingly prevalent. Between January 2020 and June 2024, authorities recorded 54 murders linked to superstition, with more than 200 superstition-related violent incidents occurring annually according to state data.

The National Crime Records Bureau reported in 2021 that Chhattisgarh led India with 20 witchcraft cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 18. From 2005 to 2017, nearly 1,350 cases related to witchcraft and superstition were registered in Chhattisgarh.

The state's Witchcraft Atrocities (Prevention) Act specifically prohibits and penalizes the promotion or practice of harmful superstitious acts, making the MP's comments particularly controversial given his position of public authority.