It’s been a year since the then Chief Minister Arjun Munda promised a job to acid attack victim Sonali Mukherjee. Her missive to Governor Syed Ahmed during President’s Rule and repeated queries have not yielded any response.
“In spite of providing all documents on my educational qualifications, I don’t understand why they are delaying the matter,” said Sonali. “During President’s Rule, I was told they were not able to locate the file and when I called up after Government formation, they said they needed time to get organised,” she added. “When I tried to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Delhi, officials did not allow me,” rued Sonali.
The personnel and law departments expressed their ignorance on the matter to The Pioneer. Sanjeevani Trust, a Bokaro-based NGO supporting Sonali from the very outset, has found that the matter has been referred to the law department, which has not yet given its opinion. “The Government does not want to do anything. It’s mere insensitivity on part of bureaucrats,” alleged Trust chairperson Shashi Bhushan.
Munda had promised Sonali a Government job as well as proper security and entrusted Bokaro Deputy Commissioner with this duty. He also assured justice and had asked the Advocate General to expedite her case in the Jharkhand High Court.
Unfazed, Sonali plans to work for women’s empowerment in association with civil societies after she recovers. Currently, she is undergoing treatment at Dr Bl Kapoor Memorial Hospital in Delhi, funded by various civil society organisations. She is recovering from her seventh operation of the total of 28 that will mend her vision and disfigured face.
Sonali has been an award-winning NCC cadet while she was pursuing Sociology (Honours) at BSS College, Dhanbad. The attack by three youth — Tapas Mitra, Sanjay Paswan, and Brahmadev Hajra —left Sonali with a disfigured face, loss of vision and deafness in one ear. Her neck, part of her chest and lower torso got burnt. The trio has now walked free while Sonali struggles.