Kharsawan is a small town in Seraikela Kharsawan district in the state of Jharkhand. It mainly consists of Adivasi population. It falls within the Kolhan division of Jharkhand, comprising three districts including East Singhbhum, Seraikela Kharsawan district, and West Singhbhum. Adivasis from Jharkhand’s Kolhan region observe January 1 of every year as the day of mourning and remembrance of the Kharsawan massacre that happened on January 1, 1948, when thousands of Adivasis were killed when police opened fire at them. Socialist leader, Ram Manohar Lohia, had compared the Kharsawan massacre to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of independent India. This incident had cast a dark picture over India's first New Year celebration, post its independence.
During British rule in 1912, the Bihar and Orissa (present day Odisha) Province was created, partitioning the Bengal Presidency. There existed a huge Adivasi population in the new province. These Adivasis had a distinct culture and had many grievances with both the British and the non-tribal populations. The Adivasis had been demanding for a separate tribal state since long. It was articulated for the first time at St Columba’s College in Hazaribagh. This demand started gaining momentum in the following years.
The British government appointed the Simon Commission, in 1927, to report on the working of the Indian Constitution which was established by the Government of India Act of 1919. The commission submitted its report in 1930, which stated, “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.” Accordingly, despite heeding to the demands of the Adivasis, Orissa was carved out in 1936. Following this, in 1938, the Adivasi Mahasabha was formed under the leadership of Jaipal Singh Munda which demanded for a separate Adivasi state.
Jaipal Munda was born in Munda tribal family on January 3, 1903, in the Ranchi district in the Bengal Presidency of British India (present-day State of Jharkhand). He was an Indian politician, writer and sportsperson. He was the member of the Constituent Assembly which debated on the new Constitution of the Indian Union. He was also the captain of the Indian hockey team that won the gold in the 1928 Summer Olympics, in Amsterdam. He was died on March 20, 1970.
He was the founder of the Adivasi Mahasabha and fought for the creation of a separate homeland for Adivasis in central India. His legacy endures in the Jaipal Singh Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium, inaugurated in 2013, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Kharsawan was a small princely state in the west of Jamshedpur, with an area of less than 400 square kilometres. After India became independent on August 15, 1947, the consolidation of the princely states was done under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Across the country, the princely states were integrated into the Union of India—some peacefully, while others with force. Kharsawan, alongside 24 other princely states in eastern India, decided to accede to the Union of India and joined the state of Orissa. This was because Kharsawan and neighbouring Saraikela (presently, the Seraikela Kharsawan district in Jharkhand), had more Odia speakers than Hindi speakers. However, most Adivasis did not support this merger as they were deeply rooted in Adivasi (Jharkhandi) culture and desired a separate Adivasi state. This disagreement led to conflict, exacerbated by the Oriya-speaking rulers proposal to merge with Orissa, ignoring the wishes of the local population. This hostile merger plan, initiated by Oriya leader Vijay Kumar Pani, further fuelled the anger of the Adivasi community.
Adivasis were so triggered by a sense of injustice that they protested against the forced merger. They declared it as the second fight for independence. A huge protest 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 market (hatt) in the Karsawan town. More than 50,000 Adivasis had gathered on the call of their leader, Jaipal Munda. Jaipal Munda himself was supposed to be present and address the crowd. While the merger of Kharsawan was a major issue, many had come to simply catch a glimpse of Jaipal Munda.
The huge size and the out-and-out enthusiasm of the crowd at Kharsawan alarmed the Orissa military police, which had just then taken charge of the law and order of the town. The police opened fire at the crowd resulting in a massacre similar to the Jallianwala Bagh of 1919. Jaipal Munda’s absence compounded the tragedy, with many believing that his presence could have prevented the bloodshed. The aftermath of the massacre was marked by conflicting reports of the death toll, with local residents claiming over 2,000 fatalities, while official figures were significantly lower.
According to the then Orissa government, only 35 people were dead and the Bihar government had reported 48 deaths. Several injured people who were unconscious kept lying in the cold as it was winter season, and were denied treatment as well.
Further, even after 75 years of the incident, it is still unclear about who was responsible for ordering the massacre. Various committees were set up and investigations were carried out. However, there was no final report on the incident.
A memorial has been set up by the locals at the market place in Kharsawan, which has been described as the ‘political pilgrimage’ site of Jharkhand. Especially, every year, on New Year’s Day, people pay homage to those who lost their lives in the massacre.
Conclusion
The Kharsawan Massacre of 1946 stands as a poignant reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of the Adivasi community in Jharkhand. Triggered by a deep sense of injustice stemming from the forced merger with Orissa, thousands lost their lives in a tragic confrontation with the authorities. Despite decades passing since the massacre, the truth behind the events remains obscured, leaving questions unanswered and wounds unhealed. However, the memory of the victims lives on through annual commemorations and memorials, serving as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Adivasi people. Furthermore, the legacy of the leaders like Jaipal Munda continues to inspire efforts towards the empowerment and recognition of tribal rights in India.
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