Image Courtesy: india.postsen.com
Thousands of Adivasis (tribals/ indigenous peoples) from three states assembled on Tuesday. January 10, near Marang Baru (Parasnath hills) of Jharkhand’s Giridih district, urging the state government and the Centre to free their holy site from the “clutches” of the economically and politically powerful Jain community. They also warned of a prolonged agitation if their demand was not met.
Across these states, hundreds of tribals from Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha reached the hills earlier in the day carrying traditional weapons and beating drums.
“‘Marang Baru’(the original indigenous name for Parasnath) is the birthright of Jharkhand’s tribals, and no power in the world can deprive them of this right,” stated a member of the Jharkhand Bachao Morcha’, which is an umbrella organisations stating to represent of over 50 bodies. The JBM also said that thousands of Adivasis will observe a day’s fast on January 30 at Ulihatu in Khunti district, the birthplace of tribal icon, Birsa Munda.
On January 6, Sabrangindia had reported how the Centre had hastily stepped in when Jains were “upset” with the Jharkhand government’s move to promote tourism at the holy Parasnath hill after protests by Jains, Adivasi bodies have staked their earlier (many say, and more legitimate) claim to the cultural site and are demanding for it to be “liberated.” The Centre through the union minister for environment, Bhupendra Yadav, had hastily stepped in —after a delegation of the powered Jains met him — and stayed the state government’s decision to open up Marang Baru (Parasnath Hills) to tourists.
Adivasi Demands
“We want the government to take step based on documentation…The 1956 gazette mentions it as ‘Marang Buru’…The Jain community had lost a legal battle for Parasnath in the past,” Working President, International Santhal Council, Naresh Kumar Murmu had then declared .
The Santhal tribe, one of the largest Scheduled Tribe community in the country, has a sizeable population in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal. The Santhals are nature worshippers and if this cultural conflict over domination persists, the protests could spread to all these regions. Elections to the state assembly in Jharkhand are due in 2024.
Expressing strong sentiments at the time, Naresh Kumar Murmu further told PTI: “Earlier the issue of Parasnath had gone to the privy council (the highest court in the British Empire) and it was held that Santhals have the rights of hunting on Parasnath Hills…We have record of the rights also.” He also claimed that documents show Parasnath as ‘Marang Buru’ or hill deity of Santhals. “Each year we assemble on full moon in Baishakh for a religious hunt for three days…” the tribal leader said.
Murmu further added spice to this background and added that the patron of the Council is President Droupadi Murmu herself and the president is P Manjhi, former MP from Assam.
President Salkhan Murmu, former MP warned that if the Centre and the state fail to resolve the issue and restore sanctity of the place in favor of Adivasis, his community would take to the streets across India.
Shri Sammed Shikharji in Parasnath Hills in Giridih district, some 160 km from Ranchi, is among the “holiest” places of the Jains, including both Digambara and Shwetambar sects, as 20 of the 24 Jain tirthankaras attained ‘moksha’ (salvation) on these hills.
The Jharkhand Government website mentions Parasnath Hills as “a range of hills located in Giridih district of Jharkhand….one of the most important pilgrimages for Jains….The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Twenty Jain Tirthankaras attained salvation on this hill…However, although the place is habited from ancient times, the temples may be of more recent origin. The Santhals call it ‘Marang Buru’, the hill of the deity. They celebrate a hunting festival on the full moon day in Baisakh (mid-April).” For the Adivasis, Marang Buru’ (hill deity or supreme source of power) is dear to their culture and with the communities’ declared intentions of a revolt if their demands were not heeded, the potential of a long drawn out of conflict looms large.
Related:
Thousands of Mining-Affected Families in Jharkhand’s Jharia Await Resettlement
ABVP apologies to Jain community, after desecrating goddess’ statue