About Purulia Daini Birodhi Andolan, Mr. Pradip Kumar Bhattacharya pointed his witchcraft among the Santals books published by the Liberal Association for movement (LAMP). Mr. Bhattacharya says “it is beyond question that, to abolish the practice of any evil institution in a society, the people of that society should actively take part in the struggle against that menace. And it is heartening to note that, in Santal society also, some people have already started the fight against the institution of witchcraft, a polluted wound in their society. But they are facing many obstacles in their mission. A Bengalee journalist, Mr. Laksmindra Kumar Sarkar, has recently written a book on such struggles against witchcraft in the Purulia district. The notable personalities, working in this field in Purulia, are the octogenarian Sarada Prasad Kisku, a scholar, ex-editor and social worker, Kalendra Nath Mandi, Secretary, Sahitya Parishad; Rupchand Hansda, another Railway Employee, a young writer, poet, playwriter and translator, Maheswar Besra, an unemployed young man and secretary of an organization named “Kherwal Gaonta;” Manohar Kisku, president of ‘Kherwal Gaonta,’ and Baleswar Soren ,a poet and an able organizer.
To show that how these persons are facing various difficulties including physical torture by vested interest, Mr. Sarkar has presented in his book, many documentary evidences like letters of Saradababu written to the Governor of West Bengal, many government executives and other important personalities, and a number of articles published in various newspapers. And it will not be irrevalent tio refer to the important portions of two of these articles here….”
Mr. Sarkar started living permanently at Khatra, a tribal dominated area of Bankura (W.B.) district from 1993 after relinquishing 15 years old job at Aajkaal, with this began the second phase of his struggle for existence, Mr. Sarkar and his wife jointly decided to work against all odds. His debts ran into thousands of rupees. He frequently had to confront the unkind house owner and deleter who relentlessly chase his class for their dues. Arrange a square meal in a day was really difficult to Mr. Sarkar. On the one hand, endless poverty on the other the scathing criticism of a section of educated circle who were jealous of his popularity among the tribals, could not prevent. Mr. Sarkar from his noble task of serving the voiceless people. The upliftment of half naked, unfed, malnourished tribal people was his only dream from which he doggedly refused to budge.
Being an active memberof Amnesty International and PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberty), he was engaged in the movement of establishment of Human and Democratic rights. He collected necessary information and data about the ‘Dan’ killing and the killing of the people who engaged themselves against the movement of custom of ’Dan.’ He developed deep into the cause of dan killing and came to know that with an eye extort money and property, ninety-nine out of 100 cases the women were identified by the Jangurus.
Witch hunting is an age old practice in West Bengal particularly at Bankura and Purulia, predominantly Adibasi dominated districts. The jangurus enjoy considerable clout here. As soon as a janguru declares a person witch and order him/her to eliminate authority here his writ runs supreme. Most of the time the administration plays the role of mute spectator.
Curious enough, in 99 out of 100 cases witches are women. Death of a baby or our breaking of a particular disease is considered to be the handiwork of a witch. The village chiefs take resort to Janguru. Almost invariably Janguru offers some rituals, declares a woman to be a witch. Instantly she is gragged out of her hut and killed. The social scientists delved deep into the problem and found the poverty, illiteracy. Superstition is at the root of the evil, with an eye to free the tribal people from this gathered on paper work. No recommendation was pat into praction. A series of news stories explaining the plight of the tribals carried out by the leading newspapers. But tribal life flows as usual without any change in light.
Late poet and social reformer Late Sarada Prasad Kisku built up a strong movement against Dan custom. Mr. Sarkar actively associated with the movement. He and his wife even deprived themselves from having a baby and later on Mr. Sarkar deprived from his wife for this life.
Then Lakshmindra Kumar Sarkar was staff of Aajkaal dailies, he had a chance to visit South Purulia. The endless poverty, hunger and superstation among the tribals shocked Mr. Sarkar so hard that he instantly resolved to do something for the unfortunate people. It was in the year 1980. Next year he relinquished the job and kept visiting tribal areas at Bankura, Purulia and Midnapur districts.
Lakshmindra Sarkar found the Jangurus held sway over the tribal society owing to sheer superstation and illiteracy among the people. He started encouraging a few young educated tribal. Both boys and girls to fight against superstition. In the process he got active assistance and advice from SARADA PRASAD KISKU, a school master by profession and relentless crusader against Dan-killing and other social evil. Whenever Jangurus declared women or a Man ‘Dan’ Lakshmindra and his band rushed to the spot and challenged them. On being challenged and fear of losing the clout over tribal society even to kill the young journalist.
Lakshmindra put his experience into print in different daily newspapers and magazines. Actually he first dubbed that theDan-killing a cruel custom. It is to his credit that the Dan-killing was recognized as a major problem of tribals along with socioeconomic backwardness.
Lakshmindra’s crusade against the vasted interest in tribal life in the shape of Jangurus. The eminent journalist Mr. G.V. Nair wrote, ‘Though Kolkata middle-class knows little about Lakshmindra he is already well-known to the large section of the people of West Bengal for his Anti-Dan movement at Purulia. His movement is very significant in the sense that he is able to built up public opinion against the cruelest form of custom within the tribal society.’
The leading Bengali daily “Ananda Bazaar Patrika” wrote on 16th October 1995 in Bazar Sarkar column. Lakshmindra travelled every nook and corner of the tribal dominated at a stretch, swam across river to reach one tribal village from another. Lakshmindra played leading role in ‘anti-dan movement.’ Built up a strong public opinion against Dan custom through his incisive writing in different newspapers and magazines.
In 4th August 1999, in his letter to Lakshmindra the British journalist, Lori McDougal said, “I am writing a the suggestion of Soma Sengupta, “Sankhita Gender Resource Center” in Calcutta, she was kind enough to pass on your name when I consulted ‘woman’s journal.’ The topic of article is WITCH CRAFT related murders in West Bengal. Only focus district will be Malda. But the situation in Bankura will also be much interest …. Would it be possible to meet you.”
While he continued his crusade against dan-killing and other social evil, Lakshmindra left the need of a tribal newspaper through which tribals themselves could vent their journalism. First tribal monthly 200 young energetic girls and boys and trained modern journalism. First tribal monthly, “Adibasi Sambad” published in October 1993, but publication had to be stopped after three issues for financial constraint.
Studying these issues Padamsri Bhagwat Murmu, General Secretary of “SEVA MANDAL PARIWAR KALYAN YOJNA SUJANI’ wrote a letter from Jasidih, Deoghar (Bihar) to Mr. Lakshmindra Sarkar –
“Dear Mr. Sarkar,
I am very much happy to receive two copies of ‘Adibasi Sambad.’ I thank you very much for this. This magazine has inspired me to read bangla and I am happy to inform you that within a few days of practice. I have read your magazine and I have also purchased a book “KATHA AU KAHANI” by Rabindranath Thakur and I am trying to read it. My wife is well versed in Bangla and I take help from her whenever I feel difficulty in reading. After some time, I will also try to write Bangla script.
Your efforts in bringing the Adibasi problems of West Bengal in limelight is really commendable.
I wish you all success in your efforts.”
Regarding this “Adibasi Sambad” Mr. Sarkar says. Why he published this newspaper. He says that….”During my 15 years service in the time of journalism. I visited several interior villages of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Chotanagpur and rural villages. That I feel and realize, that with the growing spread of literacy in India in particular, the demand for small newspapers in rural henceforth backward future. The urban media coverage has been observed, totally lacks the day-to-day realities of the rural people, who are more interested to know about their immediate surrounding that size newspaper at cheaper prices would have greater acceptance if they can cater to the prime needs at the neglected and underprivileged in the rural districts of our literate state.
Besides the above, media coverage for the rural people and Adibasi community of India which so far was practically nonexistent, will draw a potential readership both individually and community wise. If careful on the spot investigative journalism is introduced significant news items in far away from tribal villages. Find little space in big metropolitan newspapers, although such items greatly influenced and alter the lifestyle of honest ordinary village folks, tribal social problem etc., etc.
These salient points highlighted through newspaper, media would immediately attract the attention of authorities and the neglected and the deprived would soon be rehabilitated. Also, the communication gap that now exists between the elite rural soon be obliterated it given proper news coverage, resulting in section of misunderstanding and hostilities and ushering in a more peaceful climate for West Bengal and Bihar (Jharkhand), Orissa, Assam, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, etc. etc. which is an after plagued by mistrust and animestly among its own people.
Everyone knows that Adibasis all over India are in the multifarious problems. But these are scarcely given rent by the largely circulated dailies, radio, television and to name the other popular media. In most cases, the reports, if even published are incident based. Sketchy and never followed up properly. Those who pen such reports, though themselves professionally well-equipped and concerned and what solutions than prefer. Again such sketching published reports rarely reach the Adibasis to make them aware of their present in relation to their future.
So, I started from 1992 to conducted a few workshop on development journalism about 80 students in different district of West Bengal. Already 80 Adibasi boys and girls was trained up. After training period is completed. The Bengali Edition, which name is ADIBASI SAMBAD, a full size newspaper in the year and date of 15th August 1993 from Khatra Subdivision in the district of Bankura. Khatra Adibasi Culture and Development Culture (Khatra ACDC) a NGO published 3 issues as on experimentally. Havoc responsed i.e. so many letters received from different levels of all over India. So many applied as an agent/distributor. But due to financial problem not yet to continue. But its demand nationwide so much. For that response, I decided that this Adibasi Sambad not only Bengali edition, it must be in Hindi language. If it is in the Hindi language ,then it will circulate all over India positively and so many employment will create must. So, I contact different NGOs for supporting financially to continue my venture. 70 NGOs in Bihar promises they will purchase on subscriber the Newspaper “But I failed due to lack of finance.”
To promote development journalism in rural and adibasi populace. Mr. Sarkar set a planned and some study programmes. These are:
a) To arrange TRAINING ORIENTATION courses on communication media and development journalism for those who would intimate felicitate the communication process in and through small groups all over India.
b) To develop and maintain a programme of study and evaluation the effective use of group communication.
c) To cooperate with other education and communication bodies both governmental and voluntary in programmes, giving special emphasis to the educational and moral needs of the deprived and weaker class of the country.
d) To publish newspaper, books and periodicals etc.
e) To solve unemployment problem through rural newspaper, publication and printing unit.
f) To set up a literature and cultural unit for in search of talented writer, poet, artist, singer etc. and this unit not in centralize. It must be spread village to village every 15 days. A literary and cultural function will be organize different village youth. In every villages to form a branch unit, which control by village committee, writer, reporter will write and read their articles in each function. After function, they must submit their manuscript and sent to the central unit. Central unit carefully checked up and then sent to periodicals or newspaper editor to publish. The manuscript editor is the last man to select, reject or rewrite that manuscript.
From that processes, writers, journalist, i.e., reporter editor, post administrative works to be Adibasi populace and after complete and develop the above system.
g) To form a society for PROMOTION OF DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM. This society organize all of these venture. These member will be trainee journalism students.
h) To form a rural ADIBASI NEWS AGENCY (RANSA) and ADIBASI PRESS CLUB (APC). These two systems serve adibasi news, articles, and form unity among the adibasi communities and serve news through national level all leading newspaper in different languages. As a result so many male and female to solve their unemployment problem through this news service agency.
SO, CONTINUE THIS VENTURE, MR. SARKAR PRAYED TO THE NATION PEOPLE ……”PLEASE FINANCIALLY HELP ME.”
