Fifty-odd children are atop a Sadna tree, a locally grown wasteful bush, to take a look at Shibu Soren at Amrapahari of Dumka, making the branches lowered to the ground. Outsiders are apprehensive about the breakage in the tree when a local Santhal assures them, "Don't worry. Its braches do not break easily." Five thousand plus crowd gathered at dusty and deserted hillock had similar faith on lowered but sticky JMM and its Disom Guru.
Though the red soil of Santhal Pargana is sending out signals for change, especially after coming more than one factor into play but still the bastion of the tribal base party, its symbol a household name and most importantly the alive face of the decaying leader is working as panacea for the JMM.
"It was Dishom Guru who brought Jharkhand and provided independence to you from mahajani (money lenders) system. He is saviour of the SPT Act which is the protector of your land. If SPT is gone nothing will survive here. You are finished then," said a local JMM leader addressing the people along with Shibu Soren under scorching sun on Sunday.
Much of the time of the leaders was used for generating fear psychosis among the Santhals against the Dikus (outsiders). A scene of struggle before and after the independence by the tribals was tired to be created among their minds. The seven time MP Shibu is in triangular contest with JVM's Babulal Marandi and BJP's Sunil Soren, being considered as his last political retort. Shibu remained at the place for nearly one hour but spoke just three lines and that also taking stake to local leaders on the makeshift dais. "I have been MP from the area for so many years. You have seen the works. If you want to see more development then make me a winner again."
The crowd returned to their destined villages with no complaints about power, water, road, school and adequate job opportunities. It seems they do not need those either, despite living in the most backward area of the country.
Baburam Hembrum and 200 other families like him of Koam village are dependent on seasonal rain to grow paddy and maize. "No new well has come up under MGNREGA. We have wells made during a sahib (DC Sudhir Kumar in joint Bihar) under 'jal hai jahan hai' scheme. Two hand pumps out of the three are defunct. Children go to missionary school and not in the Government school," he accepts but when asked about his choice to vote the poor Santhali recalls just one sign-bow and arrow i.e. poll symbol of the JMM. He knows Shibu just by Disom Guru and hardly remembers name of his son and CM Hemant Soren.
Host of villagers chant him as 'Vir Shibu' and are convinced that his bow and arrow saved their Santhal Pargana. Counting on this, poll managers of the party termed Marandi as a middleman who would sell their entire land to outsiders by removing the SPT Act. "There are many enemies of yours in the battle field and you should remain cautious," said a leader. When asked about the Shibu Soren factor, JMM district president of Dumka said, "They just know bow and arrow. The symbol is associated with every culture of Santhals. They would not forget it easily." JMM also wants the Santhals to remember just the icons and forget about everything. By fear or by showcasing figure.