All India Tribal Mahasabha president Geetashree Oran, the daughter of late Congress leader Karthik Oran, and other activists were detained by the police on Monday, while on the occasion of Birsa Munda Shahdat Day, Freedom Fighter Birsa Munda was paid tribute in Ranchi.
This information was reported at the historic Lord Birsa Munda Shahdat Stall located near Old Birsa Munda Jail in Ranchi, where the tribal icons were believed to have died in British custody on 9 June 1900.
According to Oran, the police and administrative officials reached the site before the scheduled visit of the Jharkhand Governor and asked them to vacate the area citing security concerns.
Oraon told The Indian Express, “We were paying tribute to our icon in peace with our traditional customs and in the presence of our Pahan, tribal priests. But the ADM told us that we do not have the right to pay tribute to Birsa Munda here.” “There were people from various parties sitting near JMM, BJP, yet only we were detained Adivasis and taken to Namkum police station.”
Oraon said that a tribute ceremony was being organized under tribal customs. “We were not protesting. We were watching a holy day, and we were doing it according to our belief,” he said.
Tribal groups have insensitive and symbolic, insensitive and symbolic, insensitive and symbolic of the increasing insensitivity of the state for tribal rights and identity, under the government led by a tribal Chief Minister.
It is also in Jharkhand amid growing dissatisfaction among tribal communities, especially in and around Ranchi. In recent times, tribal organizations have objected to the inauguration of the Saramatoli flyover, which allegedly encroachs at a Sarna religious place – sacred to tribal communities. The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the flyover was held on 5 June.
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“We are looking at a pattern – cultural disregard, forced silence, and abolition of holy places,” said Oran. “Even in a tribal ruled state, Adivasis are being pushed on the margin.”
When contacted, ADM (Law and Order) Raj Shekhar Alok said that smooth agitation and security arrangements for the official visit of the governor were detailed to ensure that no permission was given for any gathering on the site during that time.
There was a scheduled program at the martyrdom stall, including the Governor and Chief Minister. The tribal group was either asked to end their tribute before the arrival of VVIP or until the program was over. However, he refused to cooperate, since he had not taken place despite repeated requests.
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