Jharkhand: Tributes Paid to Martyr Subhash Munda
Amal Azad
"CPI(M) and its Red Flag are destined to reach even greater heights! We shall continue to uphold the legacy of Subhash Munda and his predecessors," declared Chhotun Devi Munda, the mother of the late Comrade Subhash Munda, during a resolute gathering on August 3, 2023. This meeting took place at the recently renamed Shaheed Subhash Munda Chowk, formerly known as Daladali Chowk.
Preceding the gathering, Brinda Karat, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, unveiled a statue honouring Subhash Munda and inaugurated the newly christened chowk. The programme attracted a spirited crowd that enthusiastically waved Party flags and chanted slogans. Brinda Karat expressed shock at the brutal assassination of Subhash Munda. She praised his significant contributions to various struggles and the growth of the organisation. She underscored Subhash Munda's pivotal role in numerous battles and in the expansion of the organisation, particularly in the Ratu-Nagdi Area. She also applauded his family's unwavering resistance against land mafias and acknowledged the widespread public outrage that followed his murder, leading to extensive participation in his funeral procession.
On the tragic evening of July 26th, Subhash Munda fell victim to a savage assassination in his office by unidentified assailants. Shot at close proximity, he sustained eight fatal chest wounds and was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. This news triggered immediate public indignation, resulting in crowds converging at the crime scene. Protesters blocked the Ring Road with Subhash Munda's body at Daladali Chowk, venting their frustrations towards the local police and even higher-ranking officials, including the senior superintendent of police (SSP). The inspector general (IG) of the Chhotanagpur range and senior police officers intervened, engaging in a four-hour discussion with the demonstrators.
During this dialogue, the Party presented four key demands, which included the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the city superintendent of police (SP) to investigate the murder, and the prompt arrest of the culprits. The crowd received a written assurance, leading to the lifting of the road blockade. Consequently, Subhash Munda's remains were transported for post-mortem examination at 1:30 am, as directed by the deputy commissioner (DC) of Ranchi.
Numerous political and tribal groups spontaneously called for a Ranchi shutdown in protest of the murder, a call that garnered significant participation and proved highly impactful. Subhash Munda's funeral procession, which brought together more than five thousand people, commenced from the Party office and culminated in his hometown, Daladali. Representatives from regional political parties, tribal organisations, and various mass groups, including former chief ministers from the BJP, leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress, and Left parties, came together to offer their condolences and support to Subhash Munda's grieving family.
The assassination of Subhash Munda delivered a devastating blow to the ongoing Red Flag mass movements. As a representative of the third generation who followed communism in the Daldali region, he carried forward the legacy of his grandfather, Sukra Munda, who had joined the Communist Party after serving in the Azad Hind Fauj, subsequently becoming a member of the CPI(M) after its establishment in 1964. Subhash Munda remained dedicated to the fight for tribal land rights, a cause that his grandfather championed, resulting in the rightful restoration of confiscated tribal lands. Despite being just 34 years old, he fulfilled diverse roles, serving as the convener of the Chhotanagpur region of Adivasi Adhikar Manch, the former Ranchi district secretary of DYFI, and a member of the Party's state committee.
Subhash Munda contested assembly elections thrice, amassing significant support. Engaging in socio-cultural initiatives alongside tribal communities and advocating for public and class-related concerns, he also led movements to safeguard cultural heritage and oppose detrimental government policies. His untimely demise triggered widespread protests, with the Party and numerous organisations staging more than 200 demonstrations across the state.
The gram sabha and Nagdi block panchayat samiti jointly decided to erect a statue of Shaheed Subhash Munda at Daladali Chowk and rename the location as Shaheed Subhash Munda Chowk. Eminent personalities, including the chief minister, extended their condolences and pledged swift action against those responsible. Presently, a Special Investigation Team formed by the police has apprehended those linked to the murder, claiming to have resolved the case. However, the Party has demanded a thorough investigation to uncover all aspects of the plot and guarantee justice.
