encouragement from mahasweta devi on Mr. Sarkar's achievement and other activities

I will be happy and interested to see many editions of the book –MAHASWETA DEVI

I am waiting for a long time to see this book of Lakshmindra Sarkar to get published.  This work has great importance.  Lakshimdra has done something that was not done before.  The belief of witch cult was not restricted to the adibasi society.  There is belief in witch cult and other superstitions in nontribal society and tantric methods are applied to ward off evil spirits.  The murders of people accusing them as witches are more in number in the Santal society and Ho society of Singhbhum.  In the last few years, the number has increased.  A vicious circle works in the murder of a witch.  Because behind the motive of every murder, there is grieve.  Along with it, the belief of witch cult is there.  The good news is that in the society of the tribals, a disbelief and the protest has started.

The noted Santal poet Saradaprasad Kisku is a brave fighter and a social worker.  For this reason, Saraprasad and his co-fighters had to pay a price and is still paying it.  Still they firmly believe in themselves.  If it happened in some other country, then Saradaprasad and his co-fighters would have been proudly recognized.  We do not know how to pay respect to the respected people.  People should be united to fight against witch cult.  On the basis of this book, ‘witch cult should be banned by law.’  This protest can also be done.    The socially conscious and scientific minded people will also take part.  I will be very happy to see many editions of the book and will be encouraged.

A DIFFERENT PROTEST

Written by Bikraman Nair

(Noted journalist-Anandabazar)

The people of West Bengal are aware of the anti-witch movement in Purulia.  The superstition of the Santals in Bengal and Bihar became significant.  The social scientists think there are two reasons behind it.  Firstly, this protest is to acquire political power.  Secondly, an aged poet is supporting the young protestors in the public protest.  Saradaprasad Kisku taught us how to go through the tough times and the Bengalis must learn a lesson from them and go back to their youth protest.

When Mr. Sarkar was young, he started the work of bridging the gulf between the tribals and the nontribals.  In spite of being their companion in good and bad times, they were still unknown to us.  The author’s book on ‘Santali Bhasha, Lipi O Sahityochorchar Eatibritto’ is an account of the language and culture of the Bengal’s biggest community.  It is an account of the history of the anti-witch movement of Purulia and a contemporary struggle in the tribal life.  Mr. Sarkar is the right person who has introduced us the ‘contemporary protest’ in the political atmosphere of West Bengal. 

In nine chapters, after the first chapter of emergence of witch, the public protest that started and the description has been given serially.  The murder of Jagaran Soren, the trial of Sudhir-Milan, through a peculiar cultural revolution, the inside story has been mentioned here.

The neglect of those living in the plains and the suspicion of the political workers – both of them ignored Sarada and his followers.  Among them Mahadeb Hansda and Rupchand Hansda are worth mentioning.  They have asked the society to wake up and they have incorporated science and logic.  We must know the story.  Other than this, more work needs to be done.  This history compels us to think in the right way.

The reports published in different newspapers, the letters of Saradaprasad Kisku, the leader of the protest and the report of PUCL  are the references of the book.