Paradise with a Hidden Shadow
Kashmir—often called Jannat-e-Benazir, the unmatched paradise on earth—looks like a dreamland. Golden saffron fields shine under the autumn sky, snow-covered peaks rise like silver crowns, and Dal Lake lies calm, reflecting the heavens. Chinar trees drop their fiery red leaves like sparks in the wind, while the sound of shepherds’ flutes floats across the misty meadows. To visitors, the valley seems eternal, pure, and almost magical.
But behind this beauty lies a quieter, darker side: the presence of black magic, or sihr. Many people believe that sudden problems—like broken marriages, unexpected sickness, ruined crops, or loss of wealth—come from jealousy or hidden harm caused by others. In whispers, one often hears the words: “Kus taam chu karaan sehr”—“Someone has done black magic.” These fearful words move from home to home, through markets, and even into places of worship, showing how deeply this belief lives in society.
Historical Roots: From Rishis to Religious Mixing
Kashmir’s spiritual life has grown over many centuries, shaped by saints, folk customs, and the meeting of different religions. One of the most respected figures is Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, known as Nund Rishi (d. 1438). He taught people to live with simplicity, kindness, and humility. His message gave birth to the spirit of Kashmiriyat—a shared culture that joined Hindus and Muslims together in peace and respect.
At the same time, older traditions continued. People carried amulets (taweez) or charms to protect themselves from bad luck or the evil eye (nazar). Rituals from Buddhist and Shaivist roots slowly mixed with Sufi practices. Visiting shrines, reciting prayers, and using talismans became part of daily life, with protective and spiritual practices often blending naturally.
But with time, the fine line between faith and fear began to fade. What was once meant for protection sometimes turned into superstition. The pure teachings of saints were often buried under worries about curses, spells, and unseen dangers. Today, many so-called spiritual healers take advantage of this, charging money to “remove black magic,” turning faith and tradition into a business built on fear.
Why People Turn to Black Magic
Even though Kashmir has a long history of faith and spirituality, some people still fall into the trap of black magic. This choice often comes not from belief, but from human weakness. The biggest reason is jealousy (hasad). Seeing a neighbor’s success, a sibling’s happy marriage, or a rival’s good fortune can make some people so bitter that they wish harm on others and use black magic as a tool. Others do it out of revenge, turning sorcery into a weapon after fights or personal conflicts.
For some, the reason is sheer desperation. When sickness refuses to heal, when a family struggles with infertility, or when money problems never seem to end, black magic can appear to be the “last option.” In many cases, however, it is not the suffering person who chooses this path. Instead, so-called healers or pirs exploit the weak. They convince families that hidden forces are the cause of their troubles, and then demand money for costly rituals or “cures.”
These reasons show an important truth: black magic survives not because it is real power, but because of fear, jealousy, and hopelessness. It grows strongest where trust in God is weak, where patience runs short, and where cunning people take advantage of those who are suffering.
Everyday Incursions of Black Magic (Sihr)
In Kashmir, sihr often feels very real, showing up in homes, graveyards, and even workplaces. Families sometimes discover strange objects—dolls with nails stuck in them, hair tied into amulets, clay pots filled with garlic, or papers with relatives’ names written on them. Even if these things cannot cause real harm, they create fear, suspicion, and tension among people.
In Srinagar, for example, a woman named Rehana in 2023 went to a faith healer for advice. The healer gave her a plate with mud, garlic, and slips of paper carrying her family members’ names. He told her this was “proof” that black magic was being used against her. Fear quickly spread in her family, trust began to break down, and they were pushed into spending large amounts of money on repeated rituals.
Stories like this show that the real power of black magic is not in the objects themselves, but in how they affect people’s minds and relationships. A single buried charm or a misplaced doll can shake entire households, disturb community peace, and feed mistrust among neighbors.
When Faith-Healing Turns Harmful
Faith-healing has long been a part of Kashmiri society. Many people visit peers or healers when medicine does not seem to work, or when prayer alone feels insufficient. While some healers genuinely try to help—using scripture, advice, or harmless rituals—others step over the limits of safety and ethics.
In 2022, a tragic case shook Shopian. A woman lost her life after being beaten during an exorcism performed by a faith healer. The healer and two others were later arrested for murder. This incident shows how quickly a cultural practice can cross into abuse and danger.
Even when there is no physical harm, exploitative faith-healing often leaves families broken in other ways. People spend lakhs of rupees on endless rituals, charms, and visits to healers, yet their problems remain unsolved. What begins as hope slowly turns into dependency, trapping families in emotional and financial suffering for years.
Cultural Entrenchment and Exploitation
Belief in black magic runs deep in Kashmiri culture. Stories of curses, spells, and the evil eye are handed down from one generation to the next, and the fear of being judged by society makes these beliefs even stronger.
This deep-rooted belief opens the door for exploitation. Self-proclaimed healers, known as tabeebs or pirs, often take advantage of people’s pain. Women struggling with marriage problems, infertility, or long illnesses are especially vulnerable, as they are often left alone and desperate for help.
In Budgam in 2023, one such healer opened a hostel for women, pretending it was for spiritual healing. Later, shocking allegations of abuse and pressure came to light. Incidents like this show how fear, faith, and tradition can be twisted into tools of control, sometimes creating cult-like groups around a single healer. The damage is not limited to individuals—whole communities suffer. Suspicion divides families, mistrust spreads among neighbors, and people begin to avoid those they believe are cursed.
Psychological Fallout & Mental Health Crisis
In Kashmir, many mental health issues are mistaken for supernatural problems. Conditions like anxiety, depression, or OCD are often believed to be caused by black magic or possession by djinn.
One woman, for example, developed a habit of smearing mud on her skin—a clear sign of untreated OCD. But her family thought she was possessed and went to faith healers instead of doctors. Research shows that nearly 80% of psychiatric patients in Kashmir first turn to healers, which delays proper medical care. This not only makes conditions worse but also increases fear. Families spend money on endless rituals, leaving them with fewer resources to actually cope.
The effects go beyond individuals. Fear spreads through neighborhoods, trust between people weakens, and suspicion becomes common. Mental health struggles remain hidden, yet they silently affect whole communities, making the crisis both widespread and hard to see.
Religious Condemnation – Faith vs. Fraud
Religious scholars in Kashmir have spoken out strongly against the misuse of spiritual power. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, for example, has openly declared that black magic is against Islam, reminding people to follow true Islamic teachings that focus on prayer, patience, and proper medical treatment.
The Qur’an itself clearly rejects sorcery. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:102), magic is described as a source of deception and moral corruption. Scholars explain that the spread of occult practices is less about faith and more about people misusing culture and religion for profit. Public criticism of black magic is important, but it often remains limited to Friday sermons or media statements. As a result, many exploiters continue their work without being stopped.
Sufis and Saints: Voices Against Exploitation
The true spiritual guides of Kashmir—its Sufis, saints, and Rishis—have always stood against fear, superstition, and exploitation. Saints like Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (Nund Rishi) and Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (Mehboob-ul-Alam) taught a faith built on compassion, service, and honesty. Their message was clear: real spirituality should heal, never harm. They encouraged prayer, remembrance of God, and kindness in daily life, while firmly rejecting sorcery and manipulative practices.
The Rishi-Sufi tradition shaped a culture of peace and harmony, where love for people and creation was greater than fear or control. These saints created bonds of trust, teaching that true faith is not found in charms or spells, but in a clean heart and righteous actions.
Even today, modern Sufi scholars in Kashmir repeat this timeless wisdom. They explain that black magic is only a misuse of religion, often used by opportunists to take advantage of families during difficult times. Unlike such exploiters, the voices of the Sufis remain a source of hope. They call people back to patience, prayer, and community care. Their legacy still reminds Kashmiris that faith should never be a weapon of fear—it is meant to be a path of healing, unity, and light.
Policy Vacuum & Lessons from Other States
Unlike states such as Maharashtra or Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir has no specific law that directly punishes exploitative practices linked to black magic. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) only covers crimes like assault, cheating, or abetment to suicide, but it does not address the unique ways people are exploited through fear of black magic.
Maharashtra’s 2013 Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act is often seen as a useful example. It makes harmful rituals, false claims of supernatural power, and acts of coercion illegal, while still protecting genuine religious freedom. Kashmir needs its own version of such a law—one that recognizes not just physical harm, but also the deep psychological, social, and financial damage caused by exploiters. International examples, from Tanzania to Saudi Arabia, also show how different societies balance cultural beliefs with legal safeguards. Without similar reforms, victims in Kashmir remain unprotected, while exploiters continue their work without real consequences.
Media’s Double-Edged Role
The media and social platforms play a mixed role in the story of black magic. On one side, local newspapers and TV channels expose fake healers and report cases where talismans or rituals are uncovered. This helps reveal wrongdoing, but it can also increase fear by constantly highlighting such stories.
Social media is even more powerful. Videos of “cursed objects,” haunted graveyards, or claims of black magic spread quickly on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Most of these posts are unverified, yet they create panic and push people toward untrustworthy healers. This is why responsible reporting is so important—there must be a clear difference between superstition, genuine religion, and mental health issues. Some journalists and educators have started debunking myths online, but the challenge is huge because belief in black magic is deeply rooted in Kashmiri culture.
Path Forward – Combating Fear with Knowledge
Dealing with black magic in Kashmir needs a complete and sensitive approach that respects culture while protecting people:
Legislation: Strong laws should be made to punish harmful occult practices, similar to Maharashtra’s 2013 Anti-Superstition Act.
Mental Health Awareness: Campaigns in schools, mosques, and public spaces should help people understand that psychiatric care is normal and important.
Religious Leadership: Clerics and scholars need to guide people by teaching the difference between true faith and fraud.
Community Support: Victims should have access to counseling, legal help, and safe places where they can share their struggles.
Media Literacy: People must be encouraged to question and think critically about what they see on social media or in the news, so rumors and fear do not spread easily.
By combining law, mental health care, religious guidance, and education, Kashmir can begin to break free from the hidden hold of superstition and fear.
Closing Reflection – Healing Beyond the Surface
Black magic in Kashmir is not just a belief—it has real effects. Its harm is often hidden but widespread, breaking trust, increasing fear, and stopping people from getting the help they truly need. Families are torn apart, suspicion grows between neighbors, and many who suffer do so in silence.
Yet Kashmir’s strength is deep. Just as melting snow gives life to the soil, truth, compassion, and justice can wash away fear. Real healing cannot stay on the surface—it must spread into homes, schools, mosques, shrines, and even government policies.
The aim is not to erase tradition, but to protect it from misuse. With knowledge, kindness, and proper support systems, Kashmir can rebuild harmony between its rich spiritual past and today’s needs. Even in the face of hidden fear, the human spirit has the power to endure, resist, and rise.
Tags:
Thoughts & Ideas