Part II
Mr. Anthony Murmu was a versatile personality. Belonging to the Santal tribe of the Munda family, he was a born musician. He used to compose songs to highlight socio-cultural themes. The development of his fellow tribals was a priority plan to him.
The reason he went into politics was because he thought he could do much more for people through political intervention. But, given the murky world of politics, a guileless tribal like him could not get much traction. Only for one term he was Member of the Indian Parliament.
Later he reverted to his favourite social engagement. There he found much satisfaction. He wanted to animate people for extricating themselves from social and economic exploitation. He organised animation programs with the help of his cultural troupe. That was a great success. Crowds gathered to listen to him and to his group’s message.
He used to wonder why only non-tribals conducted business and grabbed benefit from the produce of villagers. Hence, he called for setting up markets in places convenient for tribals to gather, sell and purchase materials. Durgapur weekly market near Amarapara was one such market initiated by Murmu which has been a successful weekly phenomenon all along.
He also wanted his fellow tribals to look inward to search for other reasons of their lack of development. He encouraged them to engage in self-help techniques to increase income by saving schemes, by a second crop cultivation etc. That was where he could not understand the wisdom of free grazing of cattle.
Once, when I was chatting with him in the veranda of his Banjhi home in 1983, I noticed a herd of animals entering his home garden. Noticing them, he made a very critical remark which still echoes in my ears: “This is the curse of our tribals. This free grazing!”
Reflecting on the remark of such a seasoned person, I felt there was much wisdom contained in it. Due to free grazing, even those who want a second crop cannot benefit from their efforts. Once the main crop is over, people think that letting their cattle go freelancing on anyone’s terrain like no man’s land is an unquestionable venture. Nobody bothers about village sanctions.
Murmu had thus his near to the ground. That was why he was able to relate to people at their level, deal with heir issues. No wonder, the exploiters of the tribals had their eyes on him. And, they waited for a fitting occasion. April 19, 1985, was that occasion!
Long Live Anthony Murmu and his fellow martyrs!