Tribals raise objection over Parasnath Hills, JMM MLA claims it to be abode of Tribal hill deity
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Ranchi, Jan 7: In an unusual moment over the Shri Sammed Shikharji controversy, members of the tribal communities are demanding that the Centre and the state government announced the place as a pilgrimage centre for them as it is being done for the Jain community and threatened to launch massive protests across the country.
The Parasnath Hills is home to Jain pilgrimage destination Sammed Shikharji in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The tribals claimed the Parasnath Hills to be the abode of ‘Marang Buru’ (Tribal hill deity) and threatened to launch massive protests across the country if the government continued with its decision.
JJ! We need to collectively keep a close vigil on below meddling with our tirth Sammed Shikharji! We do not have any grudge against Tribal community- however it they threaten us or capture our tirth illegally, Jain community is ready to defend our sovereignty!#SaveShikharji pic.twitter.com/P2jD76QBda
— Young Jains (@YoungJainsIndia) January 6, 2023
They claimed that the tribal communities will face a lot of problems if tourism activities are restricted in the area. "It is in the custom of the tribals to offer sacrifice to God during major festivals. The Parasnath Hill is the abode of Marang Buru (Supreme God) of the tribals. If this custom is banned, then the Adivasi culture will be affected severely," said Naresh Kumar Murmu, the working President of the International Santhal Council on Friday.
"This has been tribal land from the beginning. We have legal documents to support our claims. Now, if the Jain community claims that the 10 km radius area of the hill belongs to them and they want prohibition on sacrifice ritual. We can not allow such things to happen," said Lobin Hembram, MLA of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
"This is the Marang Buru hill of the Adivasis, and Jain community members are trying to capture it and are slowly warding off the locals from the area,” he alleged. "We will hold protests against both the state government and the Centre," he said.
On January 10, the people from the tribal community will assemble at the Parasnath hills to protest against the government’s decision. "We are giving time till January 25 to the CM to resolve the issue, or else we will start our protests," Hembram said.
He said that the tribal communities of five states including Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha will hold severe protests against this decision of the government.
According to a decision taken by the central government late Thursday evening, eco-tourism activities at the place were banned and the state government was directed to take action on the matter.