Ranchi: While January 1 marks the beginning of a new year for much of the world, the date holds a deeply somber significance for Kharsawan in Jharkhand. Seventy-seven years ago, on January 1, 1948—just months after India attained Independence—Kharsawan witnessed a brutal police firing on tribal protesters, an incident often likened to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Thousands of tribals had gathered to oppose the proposed merger of the princely states of Kharsawan and Seraikela with the then Orissa. The agitation, rooted in the demand for a separate state, was met with indiscriminate police firing, resulting in the deaths of scores of protesters.
As in previous years, large numbers of people gathered at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Kharsawan on Thursday to pay homage to those who lost their lives. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Minister Deepak Birua, Singhbhum MP Joba Majhi, Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon, Kharsawan MLA Dashrath Gagrai, and Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato were among the leaders who paid floral tributes.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Soren announced the formation of a judicial panel to identify and honour the martyrs of the Kharsawan firing. He said a draft proposal had been prepared and a judicial inquiry commission comprising retired judges would be constituted. The martyrs would be formally honoured before the next Martyrs’ Day.
Addressing the gathering, Soren said that while January 1 is celebrated globally as New Year’s Day, for the tribals, indigenous communities, farmers, and labourers of Jharkhand, it is observed as Martyrs’ Day. He noted that Jharkhand’s history is marked by sacrifice and unparalleled martyrdom.
The firing was linked to the post-Independence reorganisation of princely states. Tribal opposition intensified against the proposed merger with Orissa, leading to a massive public meeting at the Kharsawan Haat ground on January 1, 1948, under the leadership of prominent tribal leader Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda. However, Jaipal Singh Munda could not reach the venue.
The gathering later decided to march towards the Kharsawan royal palace to submit their demands. Anticipating unrest, the Orissa government deployed a heavy police presence. When the crowd ignored police warnings to stop, the police opened fire on the unarmed protesters.
The Kharsawan firing is remembered as one of the most brutal episodes in the history of India’s tribal movements. In a speech delivered on January 11, 1948, Jaipal Singh Munda stated that bodies were scattered across the Kharsawan market area and the wounded cried for water and help. He alleged that the area was sealed off and bodies were later removed and disposed of in forests and rivers.
Even after more than seven decades, the exact death toll remains unknown, and the report of the tribunal set up to probe the massacre has never been made public.
With inputs from IANS