A Journey of Jharkhand Movement

Description

Accolades for the Book

“The book is an insider’s narration of a long-drawn struggle which the author along with his compatriots could be able to dispel the common view of it being a revolution and not a revolt.”
Dr V.P. Sharan, Former Pro V.C., Ranchi University

“The book is a true tribute to all those who fight for their political rights.”
Dr Karma Oraon, Professor, Ranchi University

“Journey of Jharkhand Movement is a complete and authentic book on statehood movement. Every individual wanting to learn man’s yearning for independent identity, must read it”.
Anuj Kumar Sinha, Journalist and Author

About the Book

Jharkhand’s aspiration for re-gaining its separate political identity—which eventually ended in statehood in the Union of India—had its origin in the British Raj, long before the Indian State itself became a reality. Jharkhand Statehood is among the longest struggles for identity—of over 100 years—in human history. It saw many ups and down, hopes and disappointments, assurances and treachery, fair and foul plays. The book “Journey of Jharkhand Movement” has tried to capture all momentous emotions during the course of struggle.
In fact, the book is a live-documentation of important milestones of the long-drawn struggle of a people for political identity that at its base had unique cultural values like by love, brotherhood, simplicity, honesty, joyfulness, social equality, non-discrimination etc. All of these truly characterized an individual residing in the region now known as Jharkhand, in complete contrast to regions elsewhere.
For those who want to study what kind of course a people’s struggle charts, it is must read.

About the Author

Shailendra Mahto, a former Member of Parliament, has been a pioneer in the statehood movement of Jharkhand. Born to Smt Ludhirani and Rabi Charan Mahto in Setahaka village near Chakradharpur on October 11, 1953, he jumped into statehood movement at a young age of twenty. He joined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, the political party that spearheaded statehood movement, in 1978 and rose to become its general secretary in 1987. As a leader of the people aspiring for separate political identity, he always remained on the forefront, dreading lathis and guns of the police. From 1978 to 1983, he led the jal, jungal, jameen movement and Great Jharkhand Movement, during which he had to journey through several incidents of police firing like those of Ichahatu, Serengda, Gua, Sarjomhatu, Jojohatu, Baipi etc. The police firing killed many of his close revolutionary friends. He went to jail several times during the statehood movement. Shailendra Mahto was a Member of Committee on Jharkhand Matters that was formed by Rajiv Gandhi government in August 1989. He was the Member in the 9th and 10th Lok Sabha from Jamshedpur, the Steel City of Jharkhand. In 1996, he joined the BJP for separate statehood of Jharkhand, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Abha Mahto, wife of Shailendra Mahto later represented the constituency in the Loka Sabha in the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha. Shailendra Mahto keeps keen interest in reading and writing, particularly on matters related to Jharkhand and people of Jharkhand. He has authored three books previously: Jharkhand Rajya aur Upniveshvad, Desh aur Drishti, and Jharkhand Ki Samargatha. The present book “Journey of Jharkhand Movement” is a milestone.

About the Translator

Santosh Kiro earned his M.A. from University of Madras. He has worked in several English dailies including The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. He is the author of “Life and Times of Jaipal Singh Munda” and a few more books.