My Tribal and Dalit Friends worship Durga, celebrate Dussehra
By Sagar Satapathy: All of a sudden, most of us woke up to the fact that a section of students from Left leaning political outfits at JNU teach us the “alternative readings” where Devi Durga is depicted as a “Sex Worker” and Mahishasura a “Martyr” and “Legend”. They further sought to make us believe that all Dalits and Tribals in this country believe in this doctrine. Really???
I was brought up in a remote village in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district. I spent my childhood as well as youth in undivided Koraput district. Trust me, even not in my wildest imagination, I came across this theory, forget about any “alternative reading”. There was no conflict, no ambiguity at all. My Dalit and Tribal friends with whom I shared a cordial relation, always took the lead in celebrating Dussehra and worshipping Devi Durga.
As I come from a tribal-dominated district, I can vouch for the fact. Be it former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi (Congress), Odisha Commerce & Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi (BJD), Pradeep’s father and former Rajya Sabha MP Bhagaban Majhi, Ramesh’s father and former Odisha Industry Minister late Jadav Majhi and many others always took the lead in arranging Durga Puja in our locality and neighbourhood despite the fact that they belong to Tribal community.
The list is very long. I just named a few, as people identify them as their representatives. Otherwise, I have hundreds of such names to prove my point. Not to be surprised, this is the trend elsewhere in Odisha and across the country. But, the “highly educated” Left Liberals think otherwise. For them, “Mahishasura Martyrdom Day” is their expression of free speech and right to express their views. While hailing Mahishasura, they denounce Devi Durga, who is idologised by millions and hurt the sentiments of the people.
Yes, the poor and tribals need freedom from poverty and discrimination. They need better living, adequate basic amenities and inclusive development. They have a right to demand these. They deserve a healthy and prosperous living. But, they always preferred to live with dignity and without conflict. They always respect their own culture and tradition as well as that of others. They are the worshippers of ‘Shakti’ or ‘Goddess of Power’. But, some vested interests are dragging them into controversies to score brownie points. This is condemnable and should not be allowed under any circumstances.