News Excerpt:
Adivasis from Jharkhand’s Kolhan region observe January 1 as a day of mourning and remembrance.
Historical background:
- In 1912, the Bengal Presidency was partitioned to create Bihar and Orissa Province.
- However, this new province had a large Adivasi population with its distinct culture and many grievances with both the British and non-tribal populations.
- Thus, in 1912 itself, the demand for a separate tribal state was articulated for the first time at St Columba’s College, Hazaribagh.
- The Simon Commission, mandated to report on constitutional reforms in India, gave it official credence in 1930.
- It deemed Bihar and Orissa the most artificial Indian province, as it unified three distinct areas with varying physical, social, linguistic, and cultural characteristics under a single administration.
- While Orissa was carved out in 1936, Adivasis’ demands remained unheard.
- In 1938, the Adivasi Mahasabha was formed to continue the struggle, with Jaipal Singh Munda (1903-70), former captain of the Indian hockey team, emerging as its tallest leader.
Issue of Kharsawan’s merger with Orissa:
- Kharsawan was a small princely state lying to the west of Jamshedpur.
- At the time of Independence, Kharsawan, alongside 24 other princely states in eastern India, decided to accede to the Union of India and join the state of Orissa.
- After all, Kharsawan and neighboring Saraikela (which today form the Seraikela Kharsawan district in Jharkhand) had more Odia speakers than Hindi speakers.
- However, most Adivasis did not support this merger. They also did not want to join Bihar — the alternative option.
- They wanted a separate Adivasi state.
Action in Kharsawan:
- A huge meeting was called at Kharsawan on January 1, 1948, the day when the merger was to take place.
- The 50,000-strong crowd gathered and raised their demands in Kharsawan.
- However, due to some reason, Munda could not show up.
- This was also the day of the weekly haat in the town.
- Moreover, many more were shopping at the nearby haat.
- Orissa military police had taken charge of law and order in the town.
- It opened fire at the crowd gathered for a protest and the weekly haat (market), killing hundreds.
Aftermath and conclusion :
- To date, there is no consensus regarding just how many lives were lost in the massacre.
- The then-Orissa government confirmed only 35 dead.
- There is also no clarity regarding who was responsible for ordering the massacre.
- Several committees were made, and investigations were carried out, but no report came out.
- Today, a memorial stands at the marketplace in Kharsawan.
- It has been a “political pilgrimage” site in the state, with several state leaders visiting the memorial on New Year’s Day through the years.