The Adivais in tribal-dominated Kalahandi district on Thursday observed the Martyr's Day on the 165th death anniversary of noted Adivasi leader Rendo Majhi at different places of the district.
Floral tributes were paid on the statue of Rendo Majhi at Bhawanipatna, Urladani and Junagarh. Congress leader Devi Prasad Sindoor, Adivasi leader Parmanand Majhi of Kalahandi, Dharmendra Naik, Sachidananda Mahakud among others were present on the occasion here at Bhawanipatna.Rendo Majhi had died due to bullet wounds on this day in 1855. Majhi and 18 of his supporters were shot by the East India Company force.
The Kondhs were nearest to the Kalahandi King. So they were tax free people. But, when the British captured Nagpure, Kalahandi district went under their control and as per the institution of Kings and Zamindars, they collected tax from the Kondhs.
Kondhs raised their voice against the tax collection and Rendo Majhi was the key figure of the movement.In 1853 Lt Macniell arrested Rendo Majhi and the Kondhs chief was imprisoned in Rasalkanda jail without trial. The fire of revolution grew intense among the Kondhs by the arrest of Rendo. After two years, in 1855 Rendo was tied with iron chain in legs and hands who was then moved village to village in order to create fear among the Kondhs.
But the Kondhs went out of toleration witnessing such brutal and inhuman act upon their leader.On December 10 the Kondhs attacked the residence of Lt Macneill. But the British had shot them killing many.
Lt Macneill escaped narrowly because the Tehsildar of Kandhamal came and rescued him and his people. The British hanged Rendo.