On the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat alongwith members of All India Tana Bhagat Committee led a day-long protest ‘calling attention Satyagraha’ at Chingri in Bishunpur block, Gumla district. Several Tana Bhagats are struggling for their rights over their land since decades and have assembled at the birth place of Jatra Tana Bhagat in Gumla to observe a day long fast to mark their protest.

The protest was led by the Secretary of Vikas Bharti Ashok Bhagat and several other Tana Bhagats from Gumla, lohardaga and latehar. On the occasion, they took oath to follow principles of Mahatma Gandhi, which include adorning Khadi to putting scared Tulsi plant at their residence. “It is not impossible to solve the issue but all the Tana Bhagats must keep endurance and struggle hard without compromising their ideologies. Adopting non-violence measures is the best way to show protest on any issue,” said Bhagat.

Talking about reviving the culture of Tana Bhagat and linking them to the main stream, Bhagat added, “Tana Bhagats are in minorities and now the state government should be serious about their rights and quickly resolve their land issue. For bringing them to main stream it must be ensured that they are linked up with the ongoing skill development projects to ensure the revival of the Khadi culture which is extinct now,” said Bhagat. Members of All India Tana Bhagat Committee along with Bhagat garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Tana Bhagats shared their opinions on the issue of land and other rights which is being hindered and violated since decades.

“Tana Bhagats have stood for their rights and will continue their protest with full dignity and through non-violence activities. The journey is long but will be continued. It is worth mentioning here that inspite of several atrocities of British government, the Tana Bhagats continued their struggle following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi,” said President of All India Tana Bhagat Committee, Madan Tana Bhagat. Tana Bhagat movement was started by Jatra Tana Bhagat at Chingri Navatoli village in Bishunpur block in the year 1912. “Through this protest, a message of peace and non-violence was disseminated among the people and concerned authorities,” added Madan Tana Bhagat.