Even on the occasion of Bhagwan Birsa Munda death anniversary one can witness a depressing sight near his mausoleum. On both side of the road meat-sellers have put up their shop even some were touching the boundaries of the mausoleum. This generated foul smell and made the surrounding look filthy at the time when VIPs including Governor Syed Ahmed, top officials of the State and leaders rounded the place to pay homage to the martyr.
On one side where Birsa Munda is considered as Bhagwan of Jharkhand and people were found demanding to declare his death anniversary as national holiday there this poor sight near his burial chamber was lowering his glory.
One of the meat shop owner, Radheshyam Kumar said, “We are performing our daily work. On Sunday the sale of meat is on its peak and everyday we place our shop in this location only”.
Besides the seller the buyers have no complaints either. “As Sunday is a holiday and with entire family we have meat in our lunch, so for us Sunday is like a celebration day and we cannot restrain ourselves from having it,” said Rahul a customer.
Amid all this the civic body is sleeping as it says, that it does not have any role in this. Ranchi Municipal Corporation PRO, Naresh Sinha said, “We cannot order these meat-sellers to shut down their shops. On occasions like 15th August, 26th January, and 2nd October we receive order from central government for shutting down their shop so we circulate a notice on these days. But we have ordered them to keep the surrounding clean on this occasion”.
Though there are some who carry pride for Birsa Munda in their hearts. "If the shops can be closed for some occassions why cannot be closed on the occasion when we gather here to pay our homage to Birsa MundaIJ It presents a very dirty site as the mutton and chicken shops are surrounding the mausoleum," said Ramesh Kumar of the Ranchi University.