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Mahesh

02/01/24 06:42 AM IST

The Kharsawan massacre of 1948

In News
  • As the world makes merry on New Year’s Day, Adivasis from Jharkhand’s Kolhan region observe January 1 as a day of mourning and remembrance.
Struggle for an Adivasi state
  • In 1912, the Bengal Presidency was partitioned to create the Bihar and Orissa Province.
  • However, within this new province, there existed 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.
  • Over the next few years, this demand would gain momentum.
  • The Simon Commission, mandated to report on constitutional reforms in India, gave it official credence in 1930.
  • It observed: “The province of Bihar and Orissa… is the most artificial unit of all the Indian provinces.
  • It was formed by bringing under a single administration three areas which differ markedly, not only in physical features, but in many social, linguistic and cultural characteristics.”
  • 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.
Kharsawan’s merger with Orissa
  • Kharsawan was a small princely state, less than 400 sq km in area, 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 neighbouring Saraikela (which today form the Seraikela Kharsawan district in Jharkhand), had more Odia speakers than Hindi speakers.
  • But most Adivasis did not support this merger. They also did not want to join Bihar — the alternative option.
  • What they wanted was a separate Adivasi state.
  • In protest, a huge meeting was called at Kharsawan on January 1, 1948, the day when the merger was to take place.
  • This was also the day of the weekly haat in the town. Jaipal Munda himself was supposed to be present and address the crowd.
  • It was on his [Munda’s] call that more than 50 thousand tribals gathered in Kharsawan,” 
  • The crowd comprised young and old, men and women, those from nearby villages and those living hundreds of kilometres away. While the merger of Kharsawan was a major issue, many had come to simply catch a glimpse of Jaipal Munda.
Echoes of Jallianwala Bagh
  • The sheer size and enthusiasm of the crowd spooked the Orissa military police, which had taken charge of law and order in the town.
  • On the day of the massacre, Kharsawan resembled a “police camp”.
  • Amidst this, the 50,000-strong crowd gathered, raised their demands, and waited eagerly for Jaipal Munda to show up. Moreover, many more were shopping at the nearby haat.
  • Kharsawan, which had a population of less than 7,000 in 2001, was full to the brim.
  • However, due to some reason, Munda could not show up. Many believe that his mere presence could have averted the tragedy that followed.
  • The crowd was restive and pretty much surrounded by the police. Suddenly, the cops opened fire with their Sten guns.
  • People were constantly getting shot at… By the time the firing stopped, the entire ground was littered with dead bodies.
  • There was a well near the spot where the massacre took place and the police started disposing of dead bodies in it. After the well was filled with bodies, the rest were taken to the jungle and dumped there. Yet, those injured probably had it even worse.
Source- Indian Express

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