Thus unlamented, let me die...
VIJAY
DEO JHA
RANCHI
Figure
this. What could be common among AK Roy, Chhedi
Ram, late Sitaram Shastri, late Lily Chakrvarti
and likes? For those who confuse them as random picks from state’s new ‘Who’s
Who’ or the part of assorted gallery of state politicians they need refresher
course in contemporary history of Jharkhand and country because people and
politicians have forgotten their distinguished role in freedom struggle and
movement for separate statehood of Jharkhand, and, left them in lurch—dead or
alive.
When
the government will unfold a lavish five core show of thanksgiving ceremony on
Thursday to celebrate ‘13th foundation day’ of Jharkhand, their names
will hardly be mentioned among contributors or a place in the gallery to save
time and space.
Roy,
a former parliamentarian of Dhanbad and diehard Marxist had initiated major labour
movements for colliery workers and was among those who started statehood movement
for Jharkhand along with late Vinod Bihari Mahato. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was
not a political outfit that time when Roy and Mahato had formed it. Disom Guru
of Jharkhand movement — Shibu Soren — happened to be a small figure that time
when Roy had brought him and entrusted him a vital role.
Roy,
a veteran of Marxist Coordination Centre (MCC), now in his 78s, leads an
isolated life in Dhanbad where few visit him. “If Roy had hankered for money
and privilege he would not have taken decision to donate the pension amount as
parliamentary to President’s Fund. He would not have been leading a lonely life
in a thatched dwelling where there is no electricity. We forgot a man who had
fought for us,” MCC leader and MLA Arup Chatterjee.
The
man never expected State or people to honour or sympathize with him. He would
not talk much about himself because bout of nostalgia and ideology often make
him sad. “I am happy what I am. Why should I seek returns of my contributions? There are many unknown face those who died
unnoticed,” he had told the Pioneer. Roy did not say history is actually full
of hearsay, but he meant so.
Sitaram Shastri who had dedicated his life and savings for
the movement of separate statehood died unsung when he committed suicide last
month. His death was hardly noticed and funeral hardly attended by those who were
his comrade-in-arms now leading a cozy life. Couple of reasons was attributed
behind his death — convenient and speculative — the man suffered from incurable
throat cancer, hence, he decided to end his life. But factor largely remained
responsible was that he was deep in debt and people had turned their face on
him.
But 100 years old Chhedi Ram and his wife Chamni Devi (86)
from Godda have not stopped their fight to get recognition as freedom fighter.
He served as a sepoy in the Azad Hind Fauz of Subhash Chandra Bose and took
part in the freedom struggle. From last three decades the couple have been
petitioning, pleading and even protesting before the governments to at least
recognize them as freedom fighter if the establishments have problem to pay
them paltry pension. They had staged fast-unto-death demonstration near
Governor’s House last year.
State government sanctioned Rs 700 for each as pension and
sent a proposal to Ministry of Home to consider their claim. Returning to the
archive Ram shows a tattered paper as proof. “Establishment wants him to
furnish more proofs. An old man is virtually begging to get due respect and we
are so insensitive,” Arun Pandey, National president of ‘Senior Citizen Forum,’
said. Noted freedom fighter
Lily Chakraborty has similar history of neglect. Involved in the Chitegaon
Armoury she was not accorded state honour when she died. Their life ended and
probably will end in searching answer to: For whom did you fight? Why did you
do it? Who do you think you are?
