As the country observes Hul Kranti Diwas marking the 1855 tribals uprising against British empire lead by tribal heroes Sido-Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav among others, a BJP delegation on Monday knocked the door of Governor Droupadi Murmu with a plea demanding justice for the sixth descendant of Sido Kanhu.
Rameshwar Murmu, the sixth descendant of 1855 martyr Sido Kanhu was killed a few days back at Barhait in Dumka district of Santhal Pargana. The BJP team last week had visited Murmu’s family members and today they submitted a demand to the Governor. Some of the demands of the team includes CBI probe in the killing, death for persons behind the murder, compensation of Rs 10 lakh to family members and government job to widow of Rameshwar Murmu.
The delegation's other demands include that the government should bear educational expenses of sons and daughters of Rameshwar Murmu along with increasing security arrangement to the family members. The delegation was headed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Samir Oroan. “When the country is paying remembering Sido Kanhu’s martyrdom, the Hemant Soren government is still idle and not interested in giving justice to the sixth descendant of Sido Kanhu,” Oroan said.
Sidho-Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav and others were heroes of tribal uprising. More than 50,000 tribals from 400 villages of Jharkhand had revolted against British Rule. The number of casualties was more than 20,000 in this heroic episode of India’s prolonged struggle for freedom.
This movement, led by the tribals of Santhal, was the background for the revolt of 1857. The movement was led by tribal leaders who fought with their traditional bow and arrows against British artillery.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP and party state vice president Samir Oraon said, “Atrocities against tribals have gone up in the State after Hemant Soren came to power. In January this year seven tribals were killed at Burugulikera forest in Chaibasa district by suspected Pathalgadi supporters, atrocities against tribals have also occurred in Lohardaga and Sisai. More recently Ramehswar Murmu the sixth descendent of martyrs Sido Kanho was killed in Barhait.”Oraon claimed that while on one hand JMM and Congress claims to be well-wisher of tribals but incidents against tribals and moolvasi has gone up. Interestingly, Chief Minister Hemant Soren represents Barhiat in the Assembly.
While the BJP has demanded a CBI probe in the incident, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had said that he is ready to recommend a CBI probe in the killing of Rameshwar Murmu. The CM said that if any probe higher than the CBI is required then it can also be conducted for the same.