‘Good Luck Babies’: Children Dropped 50 Feet From Tower in Indian Ritual

Muslims in western India have been observing a bizarre ritual - they've been throwing their young children off a tall building to improve their health. The faithful have been observing the ritual at a shrine in Solapur, in western India's Maharastra, for more than five hundred years. They believe it will make their children strong and say no accidents have ever happened.

  • 57 comments
  • Bookmark and Share
May 1, 2008 at 1:15 pm - Reuters
Dateline: Solapur, India
Jeff   May 1st, 2008 - 1:49 pm

While the babies may not be outwardly harmed, the physical forces involved in falling 50 metres and stopping suddenly put great strain on the brain and could produce coup/contre-coup brain injuries. Cultural differences and tradition aside, the mere prospect of brain injury in these children either argues that those involved do not know the risk or do not care.

Commonsense   May 1st, 2008 - 1:50 pm

Another reason to denounce the evil, uneducated, religion of islam.

SoCal Patriot   May 1st, 2008 - 2:01 pm

Brain damage would explain jihadists…

Dan   May 1st, 2008 - 2:04 pm

Sick people.

INFIDEL   May 1st, 2008 - 2:06 pm

This is why DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH!!

I can’t wait until more of these “rituals” start taking place in the U.S.

I predict within 10 years we will have “MET” (Muslim Entertainment Television) complete with the beheading of INFIDELS and children dropped 50′ from a tower.

SoCal Patriot   May 1st, 2008 - 2:16 pm

“I can’t wait until more of these “rituals” start taking place in the U.S.”

Isn’t that how democrats and Ron “cut and run” Paul supporters get so stupid? The MUST have been dropped as infants…

Marci   May 1st, 2008 - 2:31 pm

This was actually a practice (fad?) among 18th century English and French aristocrats. There is a rumor that Charles Lindbergh, who was an obsessive Anglophile and uppercrust wannabe killed his son doing just this stunt, then framed Huptmann for the crime.

Flyoverman   May 1st, 2008 - 2:40 pm

It looks like something dreamed up by Gary Larson.

wwe   May 1st, 2008 - 2:45 pm

Flipping idiots. Another reason to resist and denounce the notion of “diversity” and “tolerance.”

Chris   May 1st, 2008 - 2:48 pm

Michael Jackson would be so proud. More proof that this activity is just INSANE!

Logic Lee   May 1st, 2008 - 2:51 pm

Yes Marci and cavemen were purported to drag their women around by the hair. Aren’t you glad you are now living in the 21st century!

Muslim Mary   May 1st, 2008 - 3:02 pm

Another example of why Isalm is not a religion of peace, but rather a CULT OF DEATH, and why it must not be allowed in the West.

Christainity embraces life, while Islam promotes death..

B0rt   May 1st, 2008 - 3:02 pm

They should make the Tower 500′ and toss all Muslim kids off it…you know for luck…or something.

Kevin   May 1st, 2008 - 3:07 pm

How can this be defended in the name of diversity? I’m sorry, but physics trumps diversity in this case. 15 Meters, acceloration due to gravity = 9.82 m/s^2.
V^2=Vo^2 +2a(x-xo). Therefore the child is moving at 17.16 m/s or 61.78 km/hr or 38.4 mph when it hits the sheet. How can this not damage a child that has a developing brain? Their skull hasn’t fully fused yet (soft spot takes well over a year to harden). There is no logical defense for continuing this practice.

ignorant practice…

Kevin   May 1st, 2008 - 3:10 pm

B0rt,

Too funny! You’re spot on in my opinion.

ty   May 1st, 2008 - 3:15 pm

I Dont know want to know where the Badluck babies get dropped.

LL in La   May 1st, 2008 - 3:28 pm

This video and practice goes a long way into explaining a lot of things. Barack, which fall was most devastating to you: then or now?

dove624   May 1st, 2008 - 3:38 pm

I would just die if anyone threw one of my babies over a tower like that.
LHM!!
That is just not kosher.

d~

Joel   May 1st, 2008 - 3:40 pm

How the eff do they survive this fall? Are they made of gummy bears? Maybe that’s why so many go on death missions. They really think they won’t die.

Neil   May 1st, 2008 - 3:53 pm

I think this practice should be expanded to include all male muslims between the ages of 15 and 45. The height should be increased to 500 feet. The sheet should not be employed as a catching mechanism. Instead, they should rely on almighty Allah to catch them safely before hitting the ground. If this is done worldwide the terrorism problem would be soved in less than 1 year.

Usaq Madik   May 1st, 2008 - 4:32 pm

This is certainly a wacky religious practice, but far less wacky than slicing off part of a baby boy’s manhood that’s for sure.

INFIDEL   May 1st, 2008 - 4:42 pm

I FEEL SO STUPID!!!

To think for all these years, I’ve been using both a rabbit’s foot and 4-leaf-clover, for luck.

This just gives me another reason to blame my parents for their lack of parenting skills.

greg   May 1st, 2008 - 4:45 pm

Why not do something less barbaric on the babies? Perhaps a bit of reproductive organ mutilation perhaps?

Usaq Madikless   May 1st, 2008 - 4:48 pm

Hi Ussie. Being circumcised actually promotes healthy function and prevents disease. It is also something that Muslim men do. So while their brains get turned to gravy their peckers are working fine. Actually explains allot.

Huh   May 1st, 2008 - 4:52 pm

Nothing like a good Muslim story to bring out the racists. Beside, why are you wasting time posting here when there’s probably some country somewhere that needs a good bombing — as long as they have oil.

cluelessinky   May 1st, 2008 - 4:52 pm

I can see this happening in the USA in a few years. And if the sheet ripped and a kid got hurt I can see the lawyers running like dervishes to sue the sheet manufacturer. What a crazy world!!

Larry   May 1st, 2008 - 5:06 pm

Um “Huh” Muslim is a religon, not a race.

What next   May 1st, 2008 - 5:12 pm

Wow – somewhere in there will be a future Darwin Award candidate. Yes I agree if this did occur in the US not only would the lawyers swarm around like sharks but a bevy of therapists as well. Ya think these kids may need some help when they grow up?

SoCal Patriot   May 1st, 2008 - 5:16 pm

“Um “Huh” Muslim is a religon, not a race.”
Actually, Islam is the religion, Muslims are the people that practice it, the right word he was looking for is Islamophobes…

Hope that helps…

Usaq Madik   May 1st, 2008 - 5:19 pm

“Being circumcised actually promotes healthy function and prevents disease.”

Blah blah blah. Abstinence prevents disease too. Why don’t you just chop the whole thing off if that’s your concern?

Were circumcision truly needed, over the eons of human evolution the foreskin would have removed itself.

Or, if Theology is more your thing… I’m sure the Lord wouldn’t have created it in the first place. We were created in His image were we not? Is the Lord unhealthy or disease ridden? HERETIC!!

Too each their own though. If you’re ok with being mutilated as an infant and not having your full package, that’s your choice.

Jerry Pomeroy   May 1st, 2008 - 5:19 pm

All those parenting classes and I never heard about this! We will assimilate them and add their distinctiveness to our own! Not.

Texan   May 1st, 2008 - 5:22 pm

Too bad Osama Obama Bin Lauden’s parents didn’t drop him fifty feet onto large rocks for even more luck.

Sean Patriot   May 1st, 2008 - 5:27 pm

What the hell is wrong with these people. lets nuke em

nobodyimportant   May 1st, 2008 - 5:36 pm

They havent had any deaths and yea maybe it causes some damage but human bodies do have the ability to heal. The Christian ritual of bapitizism looks like someone dunking or perhaps drowning children, if other religions have other strange rituals then that should be fine. Communion- once thought to be a practice of cannabilism in the church since they claim to be eating the body of christ. why do people see this and imediately attack a religion? there are risks to living, yes people should try to mininmize them but death is an omnipresent part of life. Despite being civilized, im sure plently of people, including children die in car accidents, drwoning in pools, or perhaps from medicine given to them even with good intentions. Whether or not intentions are good are bad doesnt really matter, its the result and if no children die from this practice then i figure its fine. i am profoundly disturbed by the fact that people seem to think genocide is an acceptable practice…mankind is not infinitely progressive though i wouldnt say it regresses either, it simply is.

bigiceburgthatsunkthetitanic   May 1st, 2008 - 5:37 pm

Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose; you’re still retarded.

Mohummy   May 1st, 2008 - 5:38 pm

Wow – Usaq Madik is getting a bit cranky. I feel sorry for the little tyke. He needs a good fall.

BSDetector   May 1st, 2008 - 5:43 pm

WOW . . . did one single person say that this practice has something to do with real “diversity”?!?!?!? No! It would be equally denounced by decent reasonable people from every culture group!

But neocons take as an excuse to rally the “let’s attack diversity” crowd of dittoheads.

Apples and oranges folks! Get real!

Rick   May 1st, 2008 - 5:54 pm

Hey man, whatever they want to do.

Nikki   May 1st, 2008 - 6:00 pm

I thought that it was interesting that they call it an “Indian ritual” when it’s actually an ISLAMIC tradition. They claim that no accidents have ever happened, but I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that these babies have brain damage later in life. Islam is a barbaric religion in dire need of reform if it is to catch up with the modern world.

Jim   May 1st, 2008 - 6:13 pm

I have 17 and 16 year old daughters. Is it too late to observe this ritual with them? I think it could be useful (especially for me).

Michael Jackson   May 1st, 2008 - 6:17 pm

I gave them the idea!!

Ed   May 1st, 2008 - 6:23 pm

Let just hope that Britney doesn’t see this video!

John M   May 1st, 2008 - 7:20 pm

You do not get to claim the title “civilized society” if you practice something like this.

Massive risk of death or disfigurement of your child for ‘luck’.

How about sending your kids to school and making them try to get good grades, the kind of luck that will bring beats hurling kids off roofs any day.

Savages.

Jonny Zuhalter   May 1st, 2008 - 7:38 pm

These people are nothing more than barbarians. I’m surprised they aren’t reading animal entrails too. History, unfortunately, has proven itself time and again over the last 5,000 years that barbarians ultimately triumph over the more civilized cultures. We’re all f***ed.

Jabber   May 1st, 2008 - 7:53 pm

Muslim extremists drop their babies 50 ft into a cloth… Xtian Mormom extremists waterboard their babies and cause a lot of broken bones in their kids. It’s all the same. Crazies every where you look. Booga Booga Booga!!!!

Ms. Randi Scott   May 1st, 2008 - 8:36 pm

I agree with Neil:: throwing Muslims off the cliff should be expanded to ALL Muslims between the ages of 10 and 45; NO sheet should be used. Let them pray to Alla.

Terrorism by Muslims inflicted on non-Muslims would decrease significantly.

NoTenCommandmentsForMe   May 1st, 2008 - 8:45 pm

SocalPatriot still sounding like a Moron I see. What a convenience it must be for you non-muslim religious people to think that your religion doesn’t kill people. What a luxury of delusion you swim in.

Christianity is still a violent religion kill masses of people globably, including this country. Or have you conveniently forgotten that God Blesses the Troops???

Onward Christian Morons!

beverly   May 1st, 2008 - 8:47 pm

what a surprise! imagine! muslims doing something this stupid! but then….these are the same people that send their children out with bombs strapped to them, right?

SoCal Patriot   May 1st, 2008 - 9:06 pm

“What a convenience it must be for you non-muslim religious people to think that your religion doesn’t kill people.”
Obviously you’re another retard that was dropped, a lot, as an infant.

Good luck with that… :D

Scott   May 1st, 2008 - 9:13 pm

Certain American politicians would benefit greatly from the Muslim “free fall” practice. We would, of course, remove the sheet and substitute a huge vat of fluid/mush of your choice.

Al Bundy   May 1st, 2008 - 9:19 pm

What do you expect from a mob of uneducated, low brow, knuckle dragging, AK47 wielding, bed sheet wearing idiots? I don’t give a crap what these throwbacks do in their own godforsaken crap hole as long as we keep them out of our land. For all I care, let them all throw eachother off of some tower and be done with it. Islam is a satanic cult.

delhi   May 1st, 2008 - 10:26 pm

“Christainity embraces life”
lol

AbVag   May 1st, 2008 - 11:33 pm

Heh. Ok. Let’s check the scoreboard. Muslims = toss children off 50 foot balconies onto a sheet held by many.
Christians = drown children until they see God. Yes, a cruel way of describing baptism, but insanity can even come in comfortable clothes.

John M   May 2nd, 2008 - 4:29 am

The way I (and everyone in my family) was baptized, was leaning forward over a font and having holy water poured over the back of our head during a blessing.

How is that waterboarding? Should I stop washing my kids’ hair? Is that torture too?

You cannot compare the two, to do so is irresponsible and misrepresentative. I understand the people who hate on Bible thumpers, personally I find MANY sects of christianity offensive and embarassing to be associated with. I find many facets of American society embarassing; rudeness, selfishness, laziness and greed being the most rampant and damaging. I still love it and still recognize the great good in most people. The fact of the matter is that the extremists are not representative of any religion. This kind of activity, however, IS representative of the regional culture (notice I did not use the word ‘religion’) as a whole. I have been there. It was frightening. You should see how they ride trains. Again I say: Savages.

Usaq Madikless   May 2nd, 2008 - 12:30 pm

Ussie is your pecker infected? You sound upset? BTW in God’s image is His spiritual image not physical. Keep up the ignorance Ussie. And feel free to drop your babies if your sick little pecker allows you to still have them. Also you might want to check out the CDC website for information on the health benefits of circumcision. I know the Center for Disease Control is just a right-wing neocon front but they do have some helpful information. (Maybe even an atibiotic recommendation for little Ussie?)

[...] kill you, it makes you stronger” !! Read more and view the video of the dropping babies at Breitbart.com but don’t try this at [...]

Usaq Madik   May 5th, 2008 - 9:49 pm

Ussie is your pecker infected? You sound upset? BTW in God’s image is His spiritual image not physical. Keep up the ignorance Ussie. And feel free to drop your babies if your sick little pecker allows you to still have them. Also you might want to check out the CDC website for information on the health benefits of circumcision. I know the Center for Disease Control is just a right-wing neocon front but they do have some helpful information. (Maybe even an atibiotic recommendation for little Ussie?)

Like I said, if you’re ok not being a full man, that’s your business. Those of us who are 100% man will continue using soap and enjoying our full manhood.

Now go play with what’s left of your’s. As you point out in your nickname, you are dikless. How can you go on living?

Post a Comment

 

Comment


Notice: Comments containing foul language will not be posted.

 

 

 

* Required Fields

Our Sources

Video & Audio: ABC News  BBC News  CBS News  Clip Syndicate  CNBC  CNN  Current TV  Fark  Fox Business  Fox News  Funny Or Die  iFilm  Legal Television Network  Memri TV  MSNBC  NBC News  NewsInfusion  Newsweek  NY Post  Politico  Real Clear Politics  Reuters  Sky News  Telemundo  Time  TMZ  Wall Street Journal  Washington News Observer  Washington Post 
Webcasts & Video Blogs: Alive in Baghdad  Amanda Congdon Central  Belfast Telegraph  BetterBadNews  Bloggingheads.tv  CBS Evening News  CommandN.tv  Good Morning America  Heritage Foundation  Hot Air  Hotline TV  Kevin Sites In The Hot Zone  Library of Congress  Patrick Ruffini  PrezVid  Rocketboom  Silicon Graffiti  The B-Cast  The Onion  United Nations  Voice of America  WebbAlert  YOUTUBE News & Politics 
Audio Podcasts: 60 Minutes  60 Minutes  Abrams Report  Anderson Cooper  Andy Rooney  BBC  Bill Bennett  Bill O'Reilly  Bill O’Reilly  Brit Hume  C-SPAN  Channel News Africa  Chris Matthews  CNN News Update  Democracy Now!  Dennis Miller  Dennis Prager  EURweb.com  Federal News Radio  Fox News Sunday  Fresh Air  Greta Van Susteren  Hugh Hewitt  John Gibson  Keith Olbermann  Koppel On The News  Laura INGRAHAM  Lou Dobbs  Mark Levin  Mark Plotkin  Meet The Press  Michael Medved  Mike Gallagher  NBC Nightly News  Neil Cavuto  New York Times  News Hour with Jim Lehrer  NewsHour With Jim Lehrer  No Ordinary People  Presidential Weekly Radio Address  Real Time With Bill Maher  Ruth Marcus  Scarborough Country  Sean Hannity  Senate Republican Conference  Slate  Tavis Smiley  The Economist  The Fox and Rice Experience  The G. Gordon Liddy Show  This American Life  This American Life  Times Online  Today Show  Tony Kornheiser  Townhall Podcasts  Tucker Carlson  What’s In The News (CBS)  White House 
User-Generated Video Sites: Addicting Clips  Blip  Bolt  Break.com  CastPost  Clipshack  Crackle  Daily Motion  Eyespot  Fark  Guba  iFilm  LiveLeak  Metacafe  Motionbox  Phanfare  Photobucket  Putfile  Revver  Sevenload  Veoh  Vidilife  Vimeo  vMix  VSocial  Yikers  YouTube 
TV Stations by Market: